Process Engineer
Smurfit Westrock · Longview, WA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 5+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- 4 days ago
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Longview, WA.
- They ask for
- 5+ years · degree required
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in Washington: typical posted base $92k–$145k.
Median of the low and high ends of 13 live postings that list pay, out of 18 process engineer openings in Washington, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Washington plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 17 other live process postings in Washington.
- Base pay
- Not listed in this posting
- Experience asked
- Typical (5+ years)
Typical $92k–$145k, from 13 postings that list pay.
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- Automation 33%
- Root cause 28%
- DOE 28%
- SPC 22%
- FDA / GMP 22%
✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.
At a glance
Pulled from the posting text. If it's not listed here, the posting didn't say.
How to get in at this plant
Five moves over a week or two. The first one takes ten minutes.
- 1
Pick 2–3 people on the Process team at Smurfit Westrock
Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. Use the team search on this page to find them.
- 2
Send a short, curious note
One real question about their work. No favors yet. Each person gets a different note, written for this role.
- 3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- Is the work mostly new product launches or sustaining existing lines?
- How much time do you spend on the floor versus at a desk?
- How did you land the job? What stood out in your interviews?
- 4
Apply with someone vouching for you
If the call went well, ask whether they’d pass your résumé to the hiring manager. Send your résumé link, apply that day, and let them know.
- 5
Bring proof to the interview
One page of before-and-after numbers from projects you led: scrap, OEE, cycle time, cost. Plant managers hire on results.
This plant: Smurfit Westrock in Longview
3 other open roles at this site.
- Millwright Journeyman - Paper Mill · Reliability · Technician
- Electrical Maintenance Supervisor · Reliability · Supervisor
- E&I Reliability Engineer · Reliability
Process Engineer at Smurfit Westrock in other locations
Smurfit Westrock lists this title in 6 places. Pick the plant you can get to.
Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
The Opportunity
The Process Engineer is responsible for managing technical projects aimed at product and process problem-solving and/or improvements, cost reduction, and profitability improvement. Process engineers provide technical assistance to the operating departments to help them achieve the mill's goals and objectives while driving continuous process improvement.
How you will impact Smurfit Westrock
- •Determine and implement process changes and/or trials to improve operating efficiency and performance and minimize variation
- •Perform daily checks of production output and contributing factors
- •Partner with operations, E&I, and Process Control Engineers to understand all processes and how teams and individuals are involved and impacted at each step
- •Provide operators, other managers, and salaried employees with analytical support and problem-solving related to operating processes
- •Drive continuous process improvement within an operating area through the coordination and management of raw material and other process trials (e.g., using an ingredient or process aid/chemical)
- •Translate production efficiencies and reduced variances to revenues and costs
- •Use material balances to identify process problems with transmitters and other equipment
- •Serve as the owner and subject matter expert for Process Book (the mill's software to view Distributed Control System equipment), ensuring that all data and documentation is accurate and up to date
- •Develop Process Book pages to capture insight into processes and equipment, including the creation of new PI tags (e.g., flow, pressure, temperature, and mode on the equipment)
- •Troubleshoot pump performance with a pump curve analysis to assess whether a pump is under designed, past life expectancy, worn out, or underperforming for various reasonsTrack and analyze data related to any trials, changes and continual production information to inform recommendations and decisions
- •Gather and cleanse production and process data and perform statistical/analytical tests to uncover important variables and their impacts
- •Generate production reporting, create process monitoring reports, and perform daily troubleshooting of the process
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
to succeed
- •Chemical Engineering or related bachelor's degree required.
- •VBA training preferred
- •PI Training preferred
- •2-5 years of experience in a process engineering role required
- •Work experience in the paper industry or similar industry through an internship or co-op preferred
- •Proficient computer skills including experience Microsoft Office - Excel (ability to script macros is preferred), Outlook, PowerPoint, Word
- •Excellent problem-solving ability.
- •Ability to communicate effectively across all departments.
- •Strong organizational and leadership skills.
- •Review and share best practices with peers in technical subject areas including computer software and systems (Plant Information System, Excel, quality data tracker, electronic log sheet)
- •Support the area operations management with daily production reporting
- •Regularly communicate process-related data to operations and management in readily consumable way
- •Deliver presentations to operations team and leadership providing an executive-level summary of Process Excellence projects
Benefits Offered
Smurfit Westock offers a variety of benefits and group health insurance options, the premium costs of which are currently shared by employees and Smurfit Westrock (e.g., health, dental, vision, disability, flexible spending account, HSA, life insurance, paid time off, employee assistance program, matching 401K).
What we offer
Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities
An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.