Sr. Mgr, Proj Engineering

WestRock Company; Roanoke Rapids (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock Roanoke Rapids Mill seeks a Project Engineering Department Lead to drive capital projects and process improvements in a safety‑critical mill setting.

You will manage internal and external engineering resources, oversee budgets, and coordinate with Legal, Purchasing, and Corporate Engineering on larger initiatives. The role reports to the Mill Maintenance and Engineering Manager, emphasizing asset reliability and sustainable performance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, paper, or related engineering discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible engineering or capital project experience in the pulp and paper industry.
• Experience leading, coaching, and developing technical and professional employees.
• Experience managing capital projects and cross-functional project teams.
• Working knowledge of pulp, paper, utilities, and power generation processes.
• Ability to apply engineering judgment and support projects beyond primary discipline.
• Knowledge of sustainability and environmental compliance requirements.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, prioritization, and execution of capital projects and major equipment upgrades.
• Manage capital budget and project portfolio with forecasts and financial reporting.
• Coordinate internal engineering resources, contractors, OEMs, and external firms.
• Provide technical oversight for equipment purchases and system upgrades.
• Partner with Operations to improve asset reliability, uptime, and performance.
• Establish engineering goals, KPIs, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Develop engineering talent and foster accountability and collaboration.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Strategic planning

Continuous improvement

People development

Safety leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, paper, or related engineering discipline

Tools

Microsoft Office

PI ProcessBook

PI Vision

JD Edwards

Job description

The Opportunity

When you join Smurfit Westrock Roanoke Rapids Mill, you will be part of a team that creates sustainable paper and packaging solutions that help move the world forward. In this role, you will lead the day‑to‑day activities of the Project Engineering Department at Smurfit Westrock’s Roanoke Rapids Mill, where safe performance and environmental excellence are essential. You will manage internal engineering staff and engage external engineering resources as needed, oversee the mill’s capital portfolio, and partner with Corporate Engineering, Legal, and Purchasing on larger projects. Success in this position requires the timely execution of mill projects, performance within approved budgets, and accurate accounting of results. This position reports to the Mill Maintenance and Engineering Manager.

How You Will Make an Impact

Safety, Compliance & Leadership

• Provide visible leadership in support of the mill’s safety‑first culture, ensuring all engineering activities comply with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.


• Ensure engineering standards, change management, and safe work practices are consistently applied across projects and technical work.


• Support mechanical integrity and facility preservation programs to reduce risk and unplanned downtime.

Engineering & Capital Project Leadership

• Lead the planning, prioritization, and execution of capital projects, major equipment upgrades, and process improvements aligned with mill business objectives.


• Manage the mill’s capital budget and project portfolio, ensuring projects are delivered within approved scope, schedule, and cost while maintaining accurate forecasts and financial reporting.


• Coordinate internal engineering resources, contractors, OEMs, and external engineering firms as required.


• Provide technical oversight for new equipment purchases, system upgrades, and major modifications.

Operational Support & Reliability

• Partner with Operations and Maintenance to improve asset reliability, uptime, and performance while maintaining clear accountability for engineering deliverables and production results.


• Provide technical support for chronic equipment issues, process constraints, and operational risks.


• Ensure effective process control strategies are in place to support quality, productivity, and stability.

Strategic Planning & Continuous Improvement

• Contribute to long‑range capital planning, asset strategies, and mill strategic plans.


• Establish engineering goals, KPIs, and performance measures aligned with mill priorities.


• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to cost reduction, efficiency, and asset performance.

People Development

• Lead, coach, and develop engineering talent, including succession planning and capability building.


• Foster a culture of accountability, technical rigor, and collaboration across the mill.

Technical Skills:

• Microsoft Office- Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint


• Process Management


• Data historian software (i.e., Process Book)

Work Environment:

• Work primarily in an office within a plant environment, with regular exposure to noise, machinery, variable temperatures, and areas where temperatures may exceed 100°F. Strict adherence to all safety rules and regulations is required.


• Fast‑paced work J.I.T (just‑in‑time) environment

Required Qualifications: Education and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, paper, or related engineering discipline


• Minimum of 10 years of progressively responsible engineering or capital project experience in the pulp and paper industry.


• Demonstrated experience leading, coaching, and developing technical and professional employees.


• Experience managing capital projects and cross‑functional project teams.


• Working knowledge of pulp, paper, utilities, and power generation processes.


• Ability to apply engineering judgment and support projects beyond the candidate’s primary engineering discipline.


• Knowledge of sustainability and environmental compliance requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license is not required but is considered a valuable asset.


• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, JD Edwards, PI ProcessBook or PI Vision, process control and data systems, and talent management systems.