Sr. Environmental Engineer

Smurfit-Westrock; Hopewell (VA); On-site; USD 91,000 - 151,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock is seeking a Sr. Environmental Engineer in Hopewell, VA to ensure regulatory compliance across federal, state and local environmental laws for a large Kraft pulp mill.

You will manage a team, interact with operations and maintenance, and guide environmental programs with strong documentation and SOP adherence. The role requires 5+ years in manufacturing environmental compliance, lab experience, and a bachelor’s degree in engineering or environmental sciences.

Qualifications

• At least 5 years' experience with environmental compliance in a manufacturing facility.
• Experience developing training programs and providing training in environmental compliance programs.
• Experience in a lab and understanding of lab procedures and sampling best practices is required.
• Solid knowledge of continuous emissions monitors preferred.
• Able to explain complex processes and regulatory requirements in layman’s terms.
• Eligible to work in the United States.

Responsibilities

• Provide regulatory guidance to mill operations, maintenance and management on a day‑to‑day basis.
• Lead a team of mill employees and contractors with strong safety focus.
• Communicate environmental needs across departments and ensure SOPs and policies reflect regulatory requirements.
• Supervise hourly staff and support training and development for co‑op students.
• Participate in environmental audits and drive corrective actions.
• Support mill sustainability goals and manage the environmental lab.

Skills

Environmental compliance

Leadership

Communication

Training development

Lab procedures

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering or environmental sciences

Tools

PI ProcessBook

SCADA

Microsoft Office

Job description

Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.

Sr. Environmental Engineer - Hopewell, VA

The Opportunity

Provides technical assistance to management regarding the requirements established in the various environmental protection laws. The primary responsibilities of the Environmental Engineer (EE) will be to ensure compliance with federal, state, and local environmental regulations at a large fully-integrated Kraft pulp mill that manufactures linerboard and corrugated medium.

• Assist in the management of a team of mill employees and contractors (laboratory personnel, instrument technician for CEMS, and hauling contractor).
• Interacting with and providing regulatory guidance to mill operations, maintenance, and management personnel on a day-to-day basis.
• Maintain strong relationships with other departments to communicate environmental needs and expectations.
• Managing day-to-day activities and provide support and supervision to hourly team members.
• Participate in environmental audits and complete corrective actions.
• Drive efforts to meet corporate sustainability goals.
• Manage the environmental lab which also supports periodic process analyses such as kappa, black liquor solids contents, green liquor TA, etc.

For each of the compliance programs the environmental engineer is responsible for, the engineer must fully understand the regulatory requirements, be able to implement these programs with minimal supervision, ensure that required elements are included in standard operating procedures (SOPs) and policies, that a written program is maintained and revised as conditions or regulations change, that applicable personnel are trained in the procedures for the program, that reports are accurate and submitted on time, and that required documentation is organized and readily accessible.

• Spill Prevention Control and Countermeasure (SPCC).
• Virginia ODCP (Registered Tank Requirements).
• Pretreatment Permit (the Mill utilizes a POTW).
• Radiation Safety Program.
• Hazardous and Universal Waste Management.
• Solid waste management (tonnage and cost).

Other programs in the department that the engineer will assist with

• Mill Title V air permit program including Boiler MACT, RICE MACT, and stack testing.
• Leak detection and repair requirements for pulping process gases and condensate.
• Quality Control/Quality Assurance Plan for the Continuous Emissions Monitors (CEMS) with direct supervision of the CEMS Technician.
• Data Acquisition and Handling Systems (DAHS) through a PI ProcessBook or PRISM interface.
• Ozone-Depleting Substance Program (ODS).
• Asbestos Disposal Program.
• Green House Gas (GHG) Monitoring.
• Air Permit Applications.
• Toxic Release Inventory (TRI).
• Radiation Safety Program.

Participate in the following programs at the mill

• Adheres to all mill safety rules and assists with the development of safety programs.
• Performs activities and completes projects in a cost-effective manner to assist in meeting mill and department budget goals.
• Complete projects in a manner that assists the mill meet production goals.
• Able to be on a rotating weekend call duty.
• Assist in managing work load/projects for co-op students.
• RCFA Process

• Reviewing of capital projects with Engineering team to determine compliance requirements.

What you will need to succeed

• At least 5 years' experience with environmental compliance in a manufacturing facility, preference given to candidates who have worked in a paper mill.
• Experience developing training programs and providing training in environmental compliance programs.
• Experience in a lab and understanding of lab procedures and sampling best practices is required.
• Solid knowledge of continuous emissions monitors preferred.
• Able to explain complex processes and regulatory requirement in layman’s terms.
• Personable and able to build relationships with team members and other departments.
• Eligible to work in the United States.
• Drive and excellent work ethic.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, environmental sciences, or other related field is required.
• Experience using Microsoft Office programs required.
• PI ProcessBook or SCADA experience preferred.
• Strong organizational and multitasking skills
• Strong interpersonal and leadership skills
• Well-developed written and verbal communication skills
• Excellent planning, organizational, time management and prioritization skills

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.

The salary range for this position is $90,750.00 - $151,250.00, depending on your role, level, and location. The range listed is also the expected pay for roles in Illinois and Colorado. The benefits for this role include short-term bonus incentive, health, dental and vision insurance, flexible spending accounts or health savings accounts, retirement savings plans, life and disability insurance programs, and paid sick leave as required by applicable state/local law, 15 days of paid vacation, and 11 days of paid holidays, subject to annual change. Your pay will be based on factors such as your skills, experience, and education. application window is expected to close by 23-Aug-2028.