Manufacturing Engineer; Early Career

Position Title:

Manufacturing Engineer (Early Career)

$85,000 - $89,000

The Manufacturing Engineer partners with operations, maintenance, reliability, environmental, and technical teams to improve manufacturing processes, safety performance, product quality, and operational efficiency within an assigned area of the mill. This role provides an exceptional opportunity for early-career engineers to develop technical expertise, gain hands‑on manufacturing experience, and contribute to projects that drive world‑class performance in a complex industrial environment. This role will be based in one of manufacturing facility locations:
Columbus, MS;
Franklin, VA;
New Bern, NC;
Riegelwood, NC;
Port Wentworth, GA;
Flint River, GA.

• Learn and apply Manufacturing Excellence (ME) principles to identify opportunities for improvement in safety, quality, reliability, productivity, energy usage, and cost performance.
• Support process improvement initiatives by collecting and analyzing data, identifying performance gaps, and developing practical recommendations.
• Collaborate with operators, maintenance technicians, engineers, and production leaders to troubleshoot process issues and optimize mill performance.
• Participate in continuous improvement efforts focused on energy, chemicals, raw materials, reliability, productivity, quality, and customer satisfaction.
• Assist with the identification, evaluation, and prioritization of improvement opportunities within the assigned operating area.
• Demonstrate visible leadership and commitment to safety while actively participating in the mill's safety programs and initiatives.
• Support process and equipment investigations to identify root causes and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Participate in capital and operational improvement projects from concept development through implementation and startup.
• Monitor process performance, develop key performance metrics, and communicate findings to operational teams.
• Work with cross-functional teams to implement solutions that improve safety, reliability, quality, and operational effectiveness.
• Contribute to 5S and workplace organization initiatives while supporting audits and improvement activities.
• Support cost reduction and operational excellence initiatives that improve overall mill performance.
• Assist in developing standards, operating procedures, and systems that sustain performance improvements.
• Provide technical support during equipment outages, shutdowns, and startup activities as needed.
• Develop a broad understanding of pulp mill operations through direct engagement with manufacturing processes and operating teams.
• Participate in on-call or weekend support responsibilities as experience and business needs require.

• Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Paper Science, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or a related engineering discipline.
• Upcoming graduate or early-career engineer with up to three years of relevant experience, including internships, co-ops, or manufacturing experience.

• Internship, co-op, research, or project experience within manufacturing, process industries, or heavy industrial environments.
• Exposure to process improvement methodologies such as Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, or continuous improvement principles.

• Strong commitment to safety and environmental stewardship.
• Desire to work in a heavy manufacturing environment around large industrial equipment where conditions may be hot, noisy, dusty, and physically demanding.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and troubleshooting capabilities.
• Ability to learn quickly and adapt in a dynamic manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated initiative, curiosity, and motivation to continuously improve technical and leadership skills.
• Effective organizational and time-management skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to build positive working relationships with employees at all levels of the organization.
• Proven ability…