Sr. Project Engineering Manager

Smurfit-Westrock; Roanoke Rapids (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Smurfit Westrock Roanoke Rapids Mill is seeking a seasoned Project Engineering leader to drive day-to-day activities of the Project Engineering Department. You will oversee safety, environmental compliance, and the execution of capital projects while managing budgets and forecasts.

Your role partners with Operations, Maintenance and Corporate Engineering to ensure reliable asset performance, cost control, and continuous improvement across the mill.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or related engineering.
• 10+ years of capital projects experience in the pulp and paper industry.
• Experience leading technical teams and managing cross-functional projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead day-to-day activities of the Project Engineering Department at Smurfit Westrock Roanoke Rapids Mill.
• Manage the mill’s capital budget and project portfolio, ensuring alignment with scope, schedule, and cost.
• Coordinate internal engineering resources, contractors, OEMs, and external firms as required.
• Provide technical oversight for new equipment purchases, system upgrades, and major modifications.
• Develop engineering talent and foster accountability and collaboration across the mill.

Skills

Engineering leadership

Capital project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Safety & compliance

Education

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

Tools

JD Edwards

PI ProcessBook

PI Vision

Process control systems

Microsoft Office Suite

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.

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 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

What You Need to Succeed

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 .

Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.

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.