About the Role
The Mechanical Engineer is a key technical and leadership role responsible for leading capital projects, major maintenance initiatives, and providing advanced mechanical engineering expertise in a paper manufacturing environment. This role will provide hands-on engineering support while leading cross-functional teams, managing contractors, tracking budgets, and ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient operation of paper mill equipment and systems.
Responsibilities
- Provide advanced mechanical engineering support for paper manufacturing operations, including troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and reliability improvements.
- Lead engineering activities related to shutdowns, rebuilds, major overhauls, and equipment installations.
- Serve as technical authority for mechanical systems including rotating equipment, pressure vessels, piping, drives, bearings, couplings, and alignment systems.
- Direct and document optical and laser alignment activities; maintain field notes and alignment records.
- Ensure compliance with ASME codes, OSHA regulations, and company safety and environmental standards.
- Lead and manage capital projects from concept through commissioning, including scope development, cost estimating, scheduling, execution, and closeout.
- Develop engineering specifications, drawings, and bid packages; review contractor proposals and contract documents.
- Track and manage CapEx and major maintenance budgets, including forecasting, variance analysis, and reporting to management.
- Utilize project management tools (e.g., MS Project) to manage schedules, resources, and deliverables.
- Ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory requirements.
- Provide technical support to maintenance teams to improve equipment reliability, availability, and lifecycle cost.
- Partner with Maintenance leadership and the reliability team to support preventative, predictive, and condition-based maintenance strategies.
- Participate in failure investigations and recommend corrective actions and design improvements.
- Lead and mentor engineers, technicians, and project team members; provide technical guidance and performance feedback.
- Coordinate and supervise outside contractors, vendors, and consultants.
- Act as a functional lead during outages and major maintenance events.
- Support succession planning efforts by developing leadership, communication, and decision-making skills necessary for future advancement.
- Champion a strong safety culture and ensure all engineering and contractor activities adhere to company safety policies and OSHA requirements.
- Ensure mechanical systems and projects comply with applicable codes, standards, and environmental regulations.
- Evaluate sustainability, energy efficiency, and environmental impact of engineering projects and equipment modifications.
- Serve as the point of contact for external vendors conducting audits, surveys, or inspections. Ensure findings are reviewed, documented, and addressed promptly.
- Adhere to all plant safety and GMP policies. Follow the Twin Rivers Food Safety Policy and procedures when performing all tasks.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline, or equivalent combination of education and experience.
- Minimum of 8–12 years of progressive mechanical engineering experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment.
- Demonstrated experience in paper manufacturing or paper converting operations strongly preferred.
- Proven experience leading capital projects and major maintenance initiatives.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure.
- Experience managing CapEx budgets and long-range capital planning.
- Prior supervisory or team leadership experience.
Skills
- Paper mill equipment and processes
- ASME Section VIII (pressure vessels) and applicable mechanical codes
- Rotating equipment, gearboxes, bearings, couplings, drives, and lubrication systems
- Optical and laser alignment techniques
- Mechanical design, drafting, and AutoCAD
- Microsoft Office Suite, including Excel and MS Project
- Analytical skills
- Problem-solving skills
- Decision-making skills
- Effective communication skills with all levels of the organization
- Ability to lead teams
- Ability to manage multiple priorities
- Ability to drive results
Location
- Madawaska, Maine
Work Type
- On-site
- Full-time
Experience Level
- 8-12 years
Education Level
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related discipline
- Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure
Salary/Compensations
- $85,000 - $125,000
- Eligible for additional bonus earnings
About the Company
- Twin Rivers Paper Company is an integrated specialty paper manufacturer producing 400,000 tons of paper per year for the packaging, publishing, label, and technical sectors.
- With 100 years of papermaking history, the company operates a pulp mill in New Brunswick, and diverse paper assets in northern Maine and upstate New York.
- The company produces uncoated and coated white papers in a broad range of basis weights and finishes.
- Customized product development and dedicated technical services support are company hallmarks.
- With a sound financial structure and a strong balance sheet that fuels continuous investments in its assets, Twin Rivers Paper offers its customers the security of local product availability through a strong, domestically-owned manufacturer and the assurance of long-term viability.
