Process Engineer

Location: Vonore

Fiber Pulp Mill Process Engineer

Location:

Genera /Vonore /Tennessee

Reports to:

Mill Manager Role Type:
Full-time

Role Summary The Fiber Pulp Mill Process Engineer is responsible for optimizing fiber preparation, pulping, cleaning, refining, and stock delivery processes to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective production of high-quality pulp. This role drives continuous improvement in yield, energy usage, chemistry, and fiber quality while supporting day-to-day operations and capital projects.

This engineer works closely with Operations, Maintenance, Quality, and R&D to stabilize processes, solve chronic issues, and support new product and grade development.

Key Responsibilities Process Optimization & Control Monitor and optimize pulping, washing, screening, cleaning, refining, and stock prep systems

Improve fiber yield, freeness, strength properties, and consistency control

Reduce variability through improved operating windows, SOPs, and control strategies

Analyze process data to identify losses, bottlenecks, and quality risks

Cost, Yield & Energy Improvement Drive reductions in fiber loss, chemical consumption, water usage, and energy intensity

Identify and implement variable cost reduction initiatives

Support benchmarking and best-practice deployment across mill operations

Quality & Product Performance Partner with Quality and downstream operations to ensure pulp meets performance targets (strength, formation, runnability, OGR, stiffness, etc.)Support root-cause analysis of customer complaints and internal quality deviations

Assist with grade changes, trials, and new product introductions

Troubleshooting & Continuous Improvement Use Lean / Six Sigma green or black belt certification for problem solving.

Support up-time improvement by addressing process-related reliability challenges

Serve as a technical resource during upsets, startups, and shutdowns

Capital Projects & Technical Support Provide process design input for capital projects and equipment upgrades

Support commissioning, startup, and post-startup optimization

Develop process specifications, mass balances, and performance criteria

Safety & Environmental Compliance Champion safe operating practices and MOC discipline

Ensure processes comply with environmental permits and regulations

Identify opportunities to reduce emissions, effluent load, and waste

Qualifications For Job Posting Required Bachelor ’s degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp & Paper Engineering, or related discipline3+ years of experience in a pulp mill, fiber prep, or paper/packaging operation

Strong understanding of pulping, stock prep, refining, and fiber quality drivers

Data-driven mindset with strong analytical and problem-solving skills

Ability to work effectively on the plant floor with operators and technicians

Preferred

Experience with recycled fiber or non-wood fiber (e.g., molded fiber, ag pulp, bagasse)
Experience supporting thermoforming, paper, or molded fiber downstream processes

Lean Manufacturing/ Green Belt or Black Belt Certification

Experience with Minitab Familiarity with DCS/PLC systems, SPC, and process modeling

Key Success Metrics Fiber yield improvement

Reduction in variable cost per ton Process stability and uptime

Pulp quality consistency

Successful execution of trials and capital projects

Safety and environmental performance
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