Lead Mechanical Engineer

Lead Mechanical Engineer

Lead Mechanical Engineer role provides leadership and creativity in the design, development, optimization, problem solving, and operation of assigned assets and supporting processes to meet safety and operational performance expectations. The focus is on continuous improvement, reducing obsolescence, and improving reliability.

• Develop and deliver equipment and processes that meet safety requirements, policies, and guidelines to ensure the well‑being of operators, maintenance, and other personnel.
• Manage multiple medium‑to‑large initiatives to deliver improvements to asset performance or plant systems; lead major initiatives for breakthrough improvements and solve higher‑level problems for the plant.
• Identify cost savings opportunities and manage expense spending within the asset budget.
• Apply engineering principles, scientific analysis, LEAN principles, and project management to achieve objectives.
• Seek, recognize, define, and solve complex technical issues to root cause and achieve objectives.
• Participate in the development of others within the area of the incumbent's expertise, including creating knowledge transfer documentation.
• Support maintenance personnel when troubleshooting complex issues and document existing equipment issues and improvement opportunities.
• Lead a safety work team and partner with maintenance on reliability projects.
• Assist in developing and managing a strategic obsolescence replacement plan.
• Assist the team with trial planning and trial preparation; support assets using engineering knowledge, including on‑call and potential shift coverage.
• Provide input to plant expense and capital plans and ensure proposed changes align with the 5‑year vision.
• Engage in early design, technology selection, sizing, location, installation, and commissioning oversight; liaise with utilities/facilities teams to understand operational impacts.

• Internal to Plant:
  Plant and Sector Management, Operations, Site Engineering Teams, and Plant Reliability.
• Internal: NA Supply Chain Management, Value Stream, and Enterprise Capital Teams.
• External:
  Local contractor groups, OEMs.

• Bachelor or advanced degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline.
• 3+ years of industrial experience in diverse technical or operational assignments in high‑speed consumer product manufacturing and/or staff environment.
• Ability to perform in cross‑functional teams and achieve objectives within required time frames.
• Extensive knowledge of tissue‑making production equipment, materials, and processes (preferred).
• Experience writing and presenting updates to leadership.
• Multiple years of experience with plant manufacturing, staff support, or capital project assignments including maintenance, utilities, and asset support.
• Experience working with external technical service providers.
• Familiarity with high‑speed manufacturing equipment machine startups.
• Experience with Kimberly‑Clark engineering procedures and processes (beneficial).

• Normal scheduled hours will vary based on the need to support a 24/7 operation.
• Flexibility to travel up to 15% for benchmarking and best practice sharing.
• Ability to work in a manufacturing environment; potential shift coverage for assets, projects, or initiatives.

USD 87,260 – 107,780 (U.S. locations only; actual pay depends on location, role, skills, performance, and experience).

Includes eligibility for a target bonus and a comprehensive benefits suite such as 401(k) and Profit Sharing plan.

We are a committed equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, pregnancy, genetic information, citizenship status, or any other characteristic protected by law.