Sr. Project Engineering Manager

Smurfit Westrock•Roanoke Rapids, NC

30d•Onsite

About The Position

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.

Requirements

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.

Nice To Haves

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.

Responsibilities

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.
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.
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.
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.
Lead, coach, and develop engineering talent, including succession planning and capability building.
Foster a culture of accountability, technical rigor, and collaboration across the mill.