Mechanical Engineer

POSITION SUMMARY
The Mechanical Engineer is a key technical and leadership role within the Engineering organization, responsible for leading capital projects, major maintenance initiatives, and providing advanced mechanical engineering expertise in a paper manufacturing environment. This role will provide hands-on engineering support while leading cross-functional teams, managing contractors, tracking Capital Expenditure (CapEx) and major maintenance budgets, and ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of paper mill equipment and systems.

ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
• Provide advanced mechanical engineering support for paper manufacturing operations, including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and reliability improvements.
• Lead engineering activities related to shutdowns, rebuilds, major overhauls, and equipment installations.
• Serve as technical authority for mechanical systems including rotating equipment, pressure vessels, piping, drives, bearings, couplings, and alignment systems.
• Direct and document optical and laser alignment activities; maintain field notes and alignment records.
• Ensure compliance with ASME codes, OSHA regulations, and company safety and environmental standards.
• Lead and manage capital projects from concept through commissioning, including scope development, cost estimating, scheduling, execution, and closeout.
• Develop engineering specifications, drawings, and bid packages; review contractor proposals and contract documents.
• Track and manage CapEx and major maintenance budgets, including forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting to management.
• Utilize project management tools (e.g., MS Project) to manage schedules, resources, and deliverables.
• Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
• Provide technical support to maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, availability, and lifecycle cost.
• Partner with Maintenance leadership and the reliability team to support preventative, predictive, and condition-based maintenance strategies.
• Participate in failure investigations and recommend corrective actions and design improvements.
• Lead and mentor engineers, technicians, and project team members; provide technical guidance and performance feedback.
• Coordinate and supervise outside contractors, vendors, and consultants.
• Act as a functional lead during outages and major maintenance events.
• Support succession planning efforts by developing leadership, communication, and decision-making skills necessary for future advancement.
• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure all engineering and contractor activities adhere to company safety policies and OSHA requirements.
• Ensure mechanical systems and projects comply with applicable codes, standards, and environmental regulations.
• Evaluate sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental impact of engineering projects and equipment modifications.
• Serve as the point of contact for external vendors conducting audits, surveys, or inspections. Ensure findings are reviewed, documented, and addressed promptly.
• Adhere to all plant safety and GMP policies. Follow the Twin Rivers Food Safety Policy and procedures when performing all tasks.

REQUIRED EDUCATION AND EXPERIENCE
• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
• Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
• Demonstrated experience in paper manufacturing or paper converting operations strongly preferred.
• Proven experience leading capital projects and major maintenance initiatives.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.
• Experience managing CapEx budgets and long-range capital planning.
• Prior supervisory or team leadership experience.

COMPETENCIES
Strong working knowledge of:
o Paper mill equipment and processes
o ASME Section VIII (pressure vessels) and applicable mechanical codes
o Rotating equipment, gearboxes, bearings, couplings, drives, and lubrication systems
o Optical and laser alignment techniques
o Mechanical design, drafting, and AutoCAD
- Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and MS Project.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to communicate effectively with all levels of the organization, including operations, maintenance, contractors, and senior leadership.
- Demonstrated ability to lead teams, manage multiple priorities, and drive results.

WORK ENVIRONMENT
While performing the essential functions of this position, the employee must be able to:
• Participate in on-call rotation as required.
• Travel and overtime may be required based on project and operational needs.
• Perform other duties as assigned to support mill objectives.
• Bend, climb stairs, and access all areas of equipment, including elevated and confined spaces.
• Operate and inspect machinery safely and effectively.
• Lift and carry up to 50 pounds frequently.
• Communicate clearly in both written and verbal forms.