Principal Engineer

Where you will work

Lewiston is Clearwater Paper's original manufacturing facility and home to nearly 700 dedicated team members. Together, we make paperboard used in products across the United States, including food packaging, plates, cups and more. Home to the first mill that produced poster board from wood waste, the site currently operates two paper machines, two extruders, two power boilers and two recovery boilers.

Located where the Snake and Clearwater rivers meet on the Idaho-Washington border, Lewiston offers an active outdoor lifecycle with easy access to fishing, boating, hiking and camping. The region's milder climate means more rain than snow in the winter and long, sunny days in the summer.

Living here means you'll be close to Lewis-Clark State College, University of Idaho, Washington State University, and Walla Walla Community College, as well as strong local K-12 school districts.

What You Will Do

The Principal Engineer serves as the primary subject matter expert in paperboard production across a diverse portfolio of paperboard production a machines capable of producing the full spectrum of products. This role is responsible for leading in collaboration with the plant managers and paper machine teams, the development and deployment of production asset reliability strategy integrating technical support, product development, quality systems and predictive maintenance programs with a focus on improving productivity and operating efficiencies. As one of the technical leaders, the Principal Engineer will be called up to lead short & long-term process improvement and capital projects ranging from machine management to environmental and safety programs. This role is will also be responsible for collaborating with the plants to assist with operations, outages, maintenance, technical analysis, safety, and engineering & operations capability development.

Technical and Operational Consultation

Serves as principle internal subject matter expert to support in identifying and resolving paper machine operations and process related opportunities, leveraging lean manufacturing tools, root cause analysis, and other troubleshooting methodologies.

Research, identify and develop projects and process improvement areas to support improvement in paper board production & product development

Collaborate across the company to gain alignment as a subject matter expert

Develop & execution project plans supporting the 5+year strategy for paper machines

Serve as principle contact to outside contractors and service providers, providing leadership and direction delivering projects and services within budget and time constraints

Continuous Improvement

Champion a culture of continuous improvement

Identify opportunities to improve overall performance through development and deployment of maintenance standards; process engineering, machine design/layout

Support product quality systems and process documentation throughout manufacturing footprint delivering consistent products with a commitment to meeting and exceeding customer expectations as a preferred SBS board supplier

Leverage engineering technical expertise through collaboration with sales & marketing to identify market opportunities by providing technical insights into asset capabilities

Communicate identified best practices and ensure long term application across the network

Organizes and manages chemical and clothing vendor agreements in conjunction with procurement and manufacturing

Engineering and Production Capability Building

Foster an operating environment that encourages employee engagement through demonstration and modelling of Clearwater Paper's Core Values

Drive a culture of technical collaboration throughout Paper Machine Superintendents, Supervisors, & Process Engineers

Enable technical and quality sustainment plan by promoting developing and transferring knowledge across departments

Key Competencies & Attributes

Strong capability in capital project planning and management with strong analytical skill to leverage data to drive quantitative and analytically based business decisions and take smart risks

Demonstrated leadership courage to identify and communicate project risks; develop, align resources and communicate countermeasures to mitigate risks

Able to think strategically and act tactically, hands on

Demonstrated ability to lead in a matrixed and highly collaborative environment to influence change and core processes

Confidence in dealing with ambiguity; bringing different perspectives to light and rallying others to aligned goals and objectives

High degree of business curiosity; quick learner with a proactive and agile mindset

Optimistically looks toward future for opportunities to innovate and improve

Exceptional communication skills (written and verbal); leading and presenting complex materials for various audiences

Demonstrated experience in influencing across diverse team- creating a vision, strategy, gaining alignment, developing plans and tactics to ensure delivery

Demonstrated strong change management skills; aligning and bringing others along- act to improve culture, process, products

Demonstrated ability to understand the organizational impact in decision making; see the big picture and put it into action plans

Ability to operate with a high degree of autonomy while ensuring alignment across multiple stakeholders, self-starter with ability and desire to collaborate with teams

What You Will Need

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering, or related field

10+ years of progressive responsibility in paper machine production - process engineering and manufacturing

5+ years budgetary responsibilities (Project or Operating Budget)

Experience in paper industry required

Experience in both manufacturing, commercial (sales) or vendor management required

Certifications in Project Management, TPM or Continuous Improvement (Six Sigma Green Belt/Blackbelt) desired but not required

Certified Project Management (PMP) and change management methodologies preferred

Demonstrated commitment to ongoing personal development through continuing education, coaching, and developing others

Highly adept performing at a fast pace communicating and collaborating across multiple stakeholders

Confident and proficient in navigating in an automated environment with proficiency in MS Office Suite, multiple business intelligence databases

High speed manufacturing environment, sustained exposure to high frequency noises, multiple hours standing, walking on concrete surfaces

Personal Protective Equipment required in mill environment

Dirt, noise, odor, & temperature extremes

Climbing stairs, ladders, and scaffolding

Exposure to hazardous chemicals used in manufacturing process

Travel approximately 10-20% of the time

Total Rewards Details

We prioritize an exceptional workplace experience, offering a comprehensive total reward package. This position is eligible for our Incentive Plan. Compensation ranges are estimates based on market data. Actual offers account for internal equity and candidate's job-related knowledge, skills, education, experience, and geographic location. Benefits, including medical, dental, vision, and more, generally begin after 30 days. Our paid time off will include vacation days, personal days, and company holidays. For more on our compensation philosophy, please reach out to our Talent Acquisition Team at Talent.Acquisition@clearwaterpaper.com.

Clearwater Paper will not offer sponsorship for employment-based visa status (including, but not limited to, H-1B visa status and other employment-based nonimmigrant visas) for this position. Accordingly, all applicants must be currently authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis and must not require Clearwater Papers sponsorship to continue to work legally in the United States.

#ClearwaterPaper #Lewiston

This role will be open for a minimum of 2 weeks or at the point a successful candidate is selected.