Process Engineer

Job DetailsJob Location: Vonore, TN 37885Fiber 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 discipline 3+  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     Qualifications