Stock Press Process Engineer

Job Title: Process Engineer – Stock Preparation

Department: Production

Reports To: General Manager

Direct Working Partner: Stock Prep Superintendent

Salary Range: 110k-112k per year plus monthly and quarterly incentives

Position Overview

The Process Engineer – Stock Preparation will work in close partnership with the Stock Prep Superintendent to optimize, troubleshoot, and continuous-improve the 100% recycled fiber processing systems (OCC, DLK, Mixed Paper). The ideal candidate will leverage a strong theoretical background in Chemical Engineering and practical unit-operations experience to drive yield improvements, optimize Energy consumption, improve fiber quality, and ensure consistent stock delivery to the paper machine.

Key Responsibilities

1. Process Optimization & System Performance

• Analyze and optimize Stock Prep unit operations, including pulping (high/low density), screening (fractionation, coarse and fine), cleaning (forward, reverse, light-reject), Dispersion.
• Continuously monitor and troubleshoot key process parameters such as consistency, freeness, fiber length distribution, stickies/contaminant loading, ash content, and yield.
• Conduct mass and water balances across the stock preparation circuit and water loop to identify inefficiencies and bottleneck points.
• Partner with the Stock Prep Superintendent to implement process changes that improve fiber yield and reduce trash/reject handling costs.

1. Quality & Fiber Management

• Develop and manage quality control strategies for incoming recycled bale furnish (OCC, Mixed Paper, etc.) to evaluate fiber quality, moisture, and contaminant levels.
• Work closely with the mill quality/lab team to establish routines for stickies evaluation, drainage (CSF), fiber morphology analysis, and strength testing (ring crush, STFI). 

1. Chemical & Environmental Optimization

• Oversee and optimize the application of stock prep process chemicals, including biocides, defoamers, pitch/stickies control agents, retention aids, strength additives, and polymers.
• Collaborate with chemical suppliers to run trials, evaluate cost-per-ton efficiency, and ensure chemical safety and compliance.
• Drive water loop closure initiatives, managing white water system stability, clarifier efficiency, and effluent load reduction from the stock prep area.

1. Capital Projects & Continuous Improvement (CI)

• Lead or support capital expansion and equipment upgrade projects in the Stock Prep area from scoping and design through commissioning and start-up.
• Lead root-cause problem solving (RCPS) events focused on stock prep operational issues, equipment downtime, and quality defects.
• Identify, justify, and execute cost-saving projects related to fiber usage, energy reduction (kWh/ton), and increase stock prep thru-put.

1. Operations Support & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work daily on the floor alongside the Stock Prep Superintendent, supervisors, and operators to troubleshoot ongoing operational issues.
• Standardize standard operating procedures (SOPs) and train operations staff on process control fundamentals, chemistry, and equipment operation.
• Assist in planned outage planning, equipment inspection, and trial executions.

Qualifications & Requirements

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Chemical Engineering (BSChE) or Paper Science & Engineering with a strong Chemical Engineering emphasis.
• Experience: 3–7 years of relevant process engineering experience in a pulp and paper mill, with direct experience in recycled fiber stock preparation systems preferred.
• Technical Skills:
• In-depth understanding of unit operations: pulping, HD/LD cleaning, screening, refining, thickening, and dispersion.
• Strong proficiency in wet-end chemistry, process control loops, DCS/DCS trend analysis (ABB), and process data analysis tools.
• Demonstrated track record of performing mass balances, energy balances, and process modeling.
• Core Competencies:
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• High level of hands-on mechanical and operational aptitude.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills to effectively bridge technical theory with floor operations

Company Perks:

• Monthly and Quarterly Incentives/Bonuses 
• Benefits start on the 1st of the month following 1st day of employment.
• $500 Healthy Lifestyle Fitness Reimbursement
• 1 week vacation at 6 months, 2nd week at 12 months
• Holiday pay from day 1
• Employee Discounts
• 401k match