Complex Project Engineering Lead

International Paper•Selma, AL

1d•$129,900 - $180,400•Onsite

About The Position

The Complex Project Engineering Lead provides visible safety leadership and ensures compliance with EHS regulations and company policies. The role organizes and leads cross-functional project teams, aligning corporate and mill disciplines to meet objectives and mitigate risks. It manages capital projects through scope development, design review, procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup in accordance with International Paper’s Project Delivery Process. The position develops project scope controls, cost and schedule systems, and master schedules; monitors progress; identifies risks; and implements contingency plans. It coordinates with engineering firms, vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders to ensure design integrity, constructability, and lifecycle value. The role also oversees contractor selection, bid analysis, contract development, construction, field issue resolution, and safety compliance. Additional responsibilities include supporting equipment selection, factory acceptance testing, installation inspections, and numbering systems; facilitating training and startup plans; evaluating performance; capturing lessons learned; preparing monthly project reports; and mentoring junior engineers. International travel to vendor sites in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Finland is required for factory acceptance tests and inspections. The role requires availability to work night shift for periods of up to 1.5 months at a time.

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; tracking spending and providing periodic updates using SAP and Unifier.
International travel is required 4–5 times a year to Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Finland for factory acceptance tests.
Must be available to work night shift for up to 1.5 months at a time.

Responsibilities

Provide visible leadership in safety 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 all phases of capital projects, from scope development and design review through procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup, following International Paper’s Project Delivery Process.
Develop and maintain project scope controls, 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 with 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; ensure performance evaluation and lessons learned are captured at each phase.
Prepare and distribute monthly reports detailing project progress, issues, and resolutions.
Mentor junior engineers and support team development.
Travel internationally to vendor sites in Canada, Germany, Mexico, and Finland 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 Woodyard, Medium Consistency Pump, BMP, and Effluent Treatment System replacement and improvement projects.