Process Engineer - Technical
Smurfit Westrock · Hodge, LA
- Level
- Engineer
- Team
- Process
- Degree
- Required
- Experience asked
- 7+ years
- Industry
- Packaging
- Posted
- Yesterday
The role in 30 seconds
An engineer-level process role at Smurfit Westrock (packaging) in Hodge, LA. Build, update, and maintain process dashboards, reports, and visualization tools to support operational decision-making.
- They ask for
- 7+ years · degree required
- Tools it names
- Lean, Six Sigma, Root cause, Automation
Read from the posting. The full description is below.
From the plant jobs report · week of November 2, 2026
Process Engineer roles in the US: typical posted base $93k–$130k.
Median of the low and high ends of 353 live postings that list pay, out of 1001 process engineer openings in the US, read from manufacturers' own careers sites.
Louisiana plant jobs report →Pay by team and state →What moves pay →
How this role compares
Against 9 other live process postings in Louisiana.
- Experience asked
- More than usual (7+ vs 5+)
Similar roles usually ask 5+ years.
Skills these teams ask for most
- ✓ Lean 30%
- ✓ Six Sigma 30%
- ✓ Root cause 30%
- SAP 30%
- ✓ Automation 20%
- Team leadership 20%
✓ = 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 Hodge
1 other open role at this site.
- Process Engineer - Paper Machines · Process
Full description from Smurfit WestrockAs posted on their careers site.ShowHide
Education
- ✓Bachelor's degree in Chemical Engineering, Pulp and Paper Engineering, Process Engineering, or Computer Science degree with applicable experience in a manufacturing environment.
Experience
- ✓3-7+ years of manufacturing, process engineering, pulp and paper, or related industrial experience preferred.
- ✓Experience with continuous improvement methodologies such as Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or Operational Excellence programs preferred.
Show full description ↓Show less ↑
The opportunity
Technical Process Engineer is an intermediate level position that provides technical leadership and process engineering support to optimize mill operations and improve safety, environmental performance, quality, reliability, productivity, and cost effectiveness. This position applies engineering principles, process data analysis, digital systems integration, and continuous improvement methodologies to identify opportunities, solve operational challenges, and implement sustainable solutions across the manufacturing process to improve operational efficiency with automation if possible.
Working within the Technical, Environmental and Shipping Department, the Technical Process Engineer partners closely with Operations, Quality, and Environmental teams to monitor process performance, develop and execute improvement initiatives, standardize best practices, and ensure compliance with company and regulatory requirements. The role supports both short-term operational excellence and long-term strategic objectives through technical expertise, innovation, and data-driven decision-making.
This position serves as a key technical resource for advancing operational and quality excellence, environmental sustainability, and continuous improvement across the mill.
Process Optimization & Continuous Improvement
- •Analyze mill process performance data to identify opportunities for improvements in safety, quality, production, shipping, and environmental performance.
- •Lead and support process improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies including digital solutions.
- •Conduct root cause analysis of process disruptions, quality issues, operational losses, and overall performance concerns.
- •Develop recommendations and action plans to achieve sustainable process improvements and operational excellence.
- •Facilitate cross-functional teams in implementing and sustaining process improvements.
Technical Data Analysis
- •Maintain and utilize process information systems, including PI, Ekho, and other data platforms, to monitor and improve process performance.
- •Build, update, and maintain process dashboards, reports, and visualization tools to support operational decision-making.
- •Develop and maintain key process indicators and performance metrics.
- •Leverage digital technologies, process automation, manufacturing systems, and data analytics to optimize process performance, troubleshoot operational issues, and drive continuous improvement.
- •Partner cross-functionally to evaluate, integrate, and implement digital solutions that improve mill safety, reliability, quality, productivity, and cost performance.
Environmental & Compliance Support
- •Assist with environmental compliance efforts related to water, energy, air emissions, waste reduction, and chemical management.
- •Collaborate with Environmental personnel to identify opportunities for improved environmental performance and compliance.
Documentation & Systems Management
- •Maintain accurate process documentation, engineering standards, operating procedures, and technical specifications.
- •Provides secondary support for reporting management systems (e.g., Discharge Monitoring Reporting (DMR), Quality Assurance & Quality Control (QAQC)) through documentation updates, audits, process standardization, and corrective action implementation.
- •Ensure process changes are appropriately documented and communicated throughout the organization.
- •Develop technical reports, presentations, and recommendations for mill leadership.
Technical Knowledge
- •Understanding of pulp and paper manufacturing processes and operations preferred.
- •Knowledge of process optimization, statistical analysis, root cause analysis, and problem-solving methodologies.
- •Experience with PI System, Ekho, Microsoft Power BI, Excel, or similar data analytics tools preferred.
- •Familiarity with ISO standards, environmental compliance requirements, and sustainability initiatives preferred.
- •Working knowledge of process engineering principles.
Key Competencies
- •Technical Problem Solving
- •Process Optimization
- •Data Analysis and Interpretation
- •Continuous Improvement Leadership
- •Project Management
- •Root Cause Analysis
- •Communication and Presentation Skills
- •Cross-Functional Collaboration
- •Initiative and Accountability
- •Safety Leadership
- •Environmental Stewardship
- •Results Orientation
- •Digital technology proficiency
- •Systems integration skills