Process Engineer

Smurfit Westrock•Longview, WA

5d•$69,375 - $115,625

About The Position

The Process Engineer manages technical projects focused on product and process problem-solving and improvement, cost reduction, and profitability. The role provides technical assistance to operating departments to help achieve mill goals and objectives while driving continuous process improvement. The Process Engineer works with operations, E&I, and Process Control Engineers to understand processes and how teams and individuals are involved and affected. The role supports production through analysis, trials, troubleshooting, monitoring, and reporting, and translates efficiency gains and reduced variation into revenue and cost impacts. The position also owns and maintains Process Book, the mill's software for viewing Distributed Control System equipment, including accurate data and documentation and the development of pages and PI tags that provide process and equipment insight. This full-time position is located at the Longview Mill in Washington. Relocation support is available. The salary range is $69,375 to $115,625, depending on role, level, location, skills, experience, and education. The application window is expected to close by December 31, 2026.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering or a related field.
Two to five years of experience in a process engineering role.
Proficient computer skills, including Microsoft Office applications: Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint, and Word.
Excellent problem-solving ability.
Ability to communicate effectively across all departments.
Strong organizational and leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

VBA training.
PI training.
Work experience in the paper industry or a similar industry through an internship or co-op.
Ability to script Excel macros.

Responsibilities

Determine and implement process changes or trials to improve operating efficiency and performance and minimize variation.
Perform daily checks of production output and contributing factors.
Partner with operations, E&I, and Process Control Engineers to understand processes and how teams and individuals are involved and impacted at each step.
Provide operators, managers, and salaried employees with analytical support and problem-solving related to operating processes.
Drive continuous process improvement within an operating area by coordinating and managing raw-material and other process trials, such as ingredient, process-aid, or chemical trials.
Translate production efficiencies and reduced variances into revenue and cost impacts.
Use material balances to identify process problems involving transmitters and other equipment.
Own and serve as the subject matter expert for Process Book, ensuring its data and documentation are accurate and current.
Develop Process Book pages to capture insight into processes and equipment, including creating PI tags for measurements such as flow, pressure, temperature, and equipment mode.
Troubleshoot pump performance using pump-curve analysis to assess whether a pump is underdesigned, beyond its expected life, worn out, or underperforming for other reasons.
Track and analyze data from trials, changes, and ongoing production to inform recommendations and decisions.
Gather and cleanse production and process data and perform statistical or analytical tests to identify important variables and their effects.
Generate production reporting, create process-monitoring reports, and perform daily process troubleshooting.
Review and share technical best practices with peers, including practices involving the Plant Information System, Excel, quality data tracker, and electronic log sheet.
Support area operations management with daily production reporting.
Regularly communicate process-related data to operations and management in a readily understandable format.
Present Process Excellence projects to operations teams and leadership, providing executive-level summaries.