Mechanical Maintenance Engineer

Smurfit Westrock · West Point, VA

Level: Engineer
Team: Reliability
Degree: Required
Experience asked: 5+ years
Industry: Packaging
Posted: 30+ days ago

The role in 30 seconds

An engineer-level reliability role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in West Point, VA. , your key opportunities will include.

They ask for: 5+ years · degree required
Tools it names: Six Sigma, Welding, AutoCAD, EHS / safety

Read from the posting. The full description is below.

From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026

Reliability Engineer roles in Virginia: typical posted base $106k–$126k.

Median of the low and high ends of 3 live postings that list pay, out of 18 reliability engineer openings in Virginia, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.

Virginia plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →

How this role compares

Against 17 other live reliability postings in Virginia.

Experience asked: Typical (5+ years)

Skills these teams ask for most

Root cause 56%
SAP 28%
✓ Team leadership 28%
Lean 22%
✓ Six Sigma 22%
TPM 22%

✓ = this posting asks for it too. % = share of similar postings that mention it.

Stands out: this posting asks for Welding, AutoCAD, which few similar roles mention. If you have it, lead with it.

It asks for 5+ years. If you're close, apply anyway: requirements are a wish list. Talk to someone doing this work there first.

At a glance

Promotion path mentioned

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 Reliability team at Smurfit Westrock
We found 1 person at this company and state: 1 in this kind of role. Engineers who joined in the last year or two reply the most. See 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.
Write to Jonathan → (free)
3
Turn a reply into a short call
Questions worth asking about this team:
- What does a normal week look like on your team?
- 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 West Point

5 other open roles at this site · 1 person we found in reliability roles at Smurfit Westrock.

Mechanical Maintenance Superintendent · Reliability · Supervisor
Maintenance Millwright · Reliability · Technician
Shift Supervisor - Power · Manufacturing · Supervisor
Paper Machine Shift Supervisor · Manufacturing · Supervisor
Senior Reliability Engineer · Reliability · Senior

Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.Show

In this role, your key opportunities will include

Initiate Management of Change (MOC) processes for recommended solutions with cost estimates as well as completing action items for those submitted by others.

Support and implement Six Sigma projects that promote maintenance/reliability continuous improvements.

Engage capital engineering to support new projects as it relates to identifying critical spare parts for new equipment. Support process for obtaining spare parts and update BOM's for new equipment. and development Develop preventive maintenance plans for new and existing equipment.

Manage and improve the mills rigging and sling inspections.

Support projects related to Pressure Vessel and Tank (PV&T) integrity program

Development of scopes of work related to infrastructure, including steel and concrete structures for capital and non-capital initiatives. Will participate in the initial assessment to define scopes, provide engineered solutions with costs, and write capital project appropriation requests if needed

Supervise contractors during project execution to ensure tasks are done safely, on schedule, on budget and up to WestRock standards.

Supervise general shop area that consists of welding, machine and pump shops.

Show full description ↓

The opportunity

The Mechanical Maintenance Engineer position is part of the West Point, VA Mill maintenance organization. The West Point Mill is part of the Paper Solutions division of Smurfit WestRock. The fully integrated mill produces white top liner, liner, and medium on three paper machines.

This position provides engineering support for maintenance activities. The chosen candidate will work closely with the maintenance superintendent and others on projects related to rotating mechanical equipment, tanks & vessels, and structural related initiatives.

To succeed

Bachelor’s in mechanical engineering or mechanical engineering technology

Prefer 3-5 years related work experience in mechanical design, or related discipline, preferably in a paper mill or process manufacturing environment but not required.

Recommend at a minimum of (2) semesters of co-op experience in a heavy industrial facility or equivalent full-time experience

General maintenance knowledge of maintaining and monitoring process equipment (pumps, compressors, fans, etc.)

Ability to create, promote and work within team concept.

Ability to work in a fast-paced industrial environment while meeting tight deadlines on multiple projects

Ability to work with minimal supervision

Intrinsic motivation and inherent curiosity

Ability to perform calculations and analyze results.

Familiarity with OSHA and safety LOTO procedures

Proficient in Microsoft Office suite including Microsoft Project and AutoCAD

#CB