Production Engineer, Fiber

Ahlstrom•Kaukauna, WI

6d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Production Engineer serves as a key resource supporting the Production Manager in the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of the Fiber Department. This role works closely with operations, maintenance, environmental, and technical teams to optimize production processes, improve department performance, and support continuous improvement initiatives. The successful candidate will analyze operational data, troubleshoot process issues, lead improvement projects, and provide technical support to help achieve department goals related to safety, quality, productivity, environmental compliance, and cost management. This position offers an excellent opportunity for an engineer seeking to develop leadership skills and gain broad exposure to mill operations.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, a related engineering discipline, or an equivalent knowledge through practical experience in the paper industry.
Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills.
Effective verbal and written communication skills.
Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, particularly Excel.
Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented manufacturing environment.
Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States and will not require current or future sponsorship for employment.

Nice To Haves

Experience in pulp, paper, fiber processing, chemical manufacturing, or other industrial operations.
Knowledge of fiberline operations, pulping processes, screening, washing, bleaching, or chemical recovery systems.
Experience with process improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma.
Familiarity with JDE, PI System, DCS platforms, or other manufacturing systems.
Previous engineering internship, co-op, or manufacturing experience.

Responsibilities

Support the Production Manager in overseeing the daily operation and performance of the Fiber Department.
Promote a strong safety culture and ensure compliance with company safety policies and procedures.
Monitor department performance indicators and identify opportunities for improvements in safety, quality, production, reliability, and cost.
Assist in developing and implementing operating strategies to meet department and mill objectives.
Analyze process data and operational trends to identify root causes of performance issues and implement corrective actions.
Lead and support continuous improvement initiatives focused on productivity, efficiency, quality, and cost reduction.
Work collaboratively with operators, supervisors, maintenance personnel, and technical resources to resolve operational challenges.
Support outage planning, capital projects, and equipment reliability initiatives.
Develop, maintain, and improve operating procedures, process documentation, and training materials.
Assist with production planning, reporting, and departmental budgeting activities.
Participate in incident investigations and root cause analyses.
Support environmental compliance and sustainability initiatives within the department.
Participate in the weekend duty rotation to provide support for facility operations during weekends and holidays.
Provide technical guidance and mentoring to operating teams as needed.