Complex Project Engineering Lead

International Paper•Selma, AL

2d•$129,900 - $180,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Complex Project Engineering Lead provides visible safety leadership and ensures compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations and company policies. The role organizes and leads cross-functional teams, coordinating corporate and mill disciplines to meet project objectives and mitigate risks. The position manages all phases of capital projects under International Paper’s Project Delivery Process, including scope development, design review, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup. It establishes and maintains project scope controls, cost and schedule systems, and master schedules; monitors progress, identifies risks, and develops contingency plans. The role develops project schedules in MS Project and reviews contractor schedules to identify critical paths. The lead coordinates with engineering firms, vendors, and internal stakeholders to support design integrity, constructability, and lifecycle value. Responsibilities also include contractor selection, bid analysis, contract development, construction oversight, field issue resolution, equipment selection, factory acceptance testing, installation inspections, and numbering systems. The lead facilitates training and startup plans, captures performance evaluations and lessons learned, prepares monthly project reports, and mentors junior engineers. The role requires international travel to vendor sites in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Finland for factory acceptance tests and inspections, approximately four to five times per year. The employee must also be available to work night shift for periods of up to 1.5 months at a time. The stated regular schedule is 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., Monday through Friday.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or a related field.
At least 10 years of experience in capital and maintenance engineering, including at least 5 years in a large-scale pulp and paper mill setting.
Experience with Microsoft Office, SAP, Unifier, AutoCAD, Adobe, and MS Project.
Knowledge of EHS compliance within pulp and paper industry standards and operating practices.
Experience managing large-scale capital projects with annual project portfolios of up to $50 million.
Experience in project controls, engineering coordination, construction management, reliability, and regulatory compliance.
Experience managing Woodyard, Medium Consistency Pump, BMP, and Effluent Treatment System replacement and improvement projects.
Experience preparing and maintaining cost reports, accruals, forecasts, and cash flow scenarios, and tracking spending with SAP and Unifier.
International travel is required approximately 4–5 times per year to Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Finland for factory acceptance tests.
Must be available to work night shift for periods of up to 1.5 months at a time.

Responsibilities

Provide visible safety leadership and ensure compliance with EHS regulations and company policies.
Organize and lead cross-functional project teams, aligning corporate and mill disciplines to meet objectives and mitigate risks.
Manage capital projects from scope development and design review through procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup in accordance with the Project Delivery Process.
Develop and maintain project scope control, cost and schedule systems, and master schedules; monitor progress, identify risks, and implement contingency plans.
Develop project schedules using MS Project; review contractor schedules and identify critical paths.
Coordinate engineering firms, vendors, and internal stakeholders to ensure design integrity, constructability, and lifecycle value.
Lead contractor selection, bid analysis, contract development, and construction oversight; resolve field issues and ensure safety compliance.
Support equipment selection, factory acceptance testing, installation inspections, and numbering systems.
Facilitate training and startup plans and capture performance evaluations and lessons learned at each project phase.
Prepare and distribute monthly reports on project progress, issues, and resolutions.
Mentor junior engineers and support team development.
Travel internationally to vendor sites for factory acceptance tests and inspections.
Prepare and maintain cost reports, accruals, forecasts, and cash flow scenarios; track spending and provide periodic updates using SAP and Unifier.
Manage projects involving Woodyard, Medium Consistency Pump, Best Management Practices (BMP), and Effluent Treatment System replacement and improvements.