Project Engineer

Position Summary

Provide engineering, project management, and technical expertise for the development and execution of capital projects and process improvements at the OSB manufacturing facility in Shuqualak, MS. Lead projects from initial concept and scope development through engineering, budgeting, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and final closeout, ensuring projects are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with established quality and performance requirements.

Provide technical support to Plant Operations, Maintenance, Quality, Research and Development, Marketing, and Management to improve the safety, reliability, efficiency, productivity, and quality of existing and new processes, equipment, and products. Identify opportunities for capital investment and engineering improvements that reduce risk, improve asset reliability, optimize manufacturing performance, and support the plant's strategic objectives.

Principal Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead execution of the plant’s capital investment plan through all phases, including project identification, scope development, engineering, budgeting, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and closeout.
• Develop and maintain the plant capital project forecast with the Plant Controller, ensuring accurate cost, commitment, cash flow, and financial reporting.Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, execution plans, and recommendations for project prioritization and timing.
• Establish project objectives, milestones, priorities, and performance expectations for approved capital projects and engineering initiatives.
• Manage projects to ensure compliance with approved scope, budget, schedule, quality, safety, environmental, operational, and regulatory requirements.
• Coordinate with Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Environmental, Quality, Procurement, Finance, and other stakeholders to ensure successful project execution and integration into plant operations.
• Manage engineering firms, equipment suppliers, contractors, and other third-party resources, ensuring work is completed in accordance with project requirements.Assist in the evaluation, selection, and approval of equipment, vendors, contractors, engineering services, and equipment modifications.
• Ensure engineering standards, codes, specifications, company requirements, and Management of Change (MOC) procedures are incorporated into project design and execution.
• Coordinate development and review of engineering drawings, specifications, equipment layouts, P&IDs, electrical documentation, structural requirements, and other project deliverables.
• Participate in risk assessments, PHA/HAZOP studies, PSSR activities, and other safety reviews, ensuring compliance with OSHA, environmental, electrical, fire protection, building, and other applicable regulations.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, monitor progress, identify risks, and implement corrective actions to address schedule or cost variances.
• Coordinate construction, installation, commissioning, startup, and turnover activities while ensuring safe integration into plant operations.
• Ensure required training, operating procedures, maintenance procedures, spare parts, documentation, and support resources are in place before project startup.
• Complete project closeout activities, including as-built drawings, equipment documentation, warranties, cost reporting, and lessons learned.
• Support continuous improvement of preventive and predictive maintenance programs through capital improvements and equipment reliability initiatives.
• Participate in Factory Mutual (FM) audits, AHJ inspections, and risk-reduction initiatives, providing technical expertise and support for corrective actions.Identify opportunities to improve plant safety, reliability, productivity, energy efficiency, quality, and operating costs through engineering and capital investment projects.
• Provide technical support to Plant Management, Operations, and Maintenance, serving as a resource for equipment, process, and reliability issues.
• Promote a strong safety culture and maintain effective communication with management and stakeholders regarding project status, costs, schedules, risks, issues, and key decisions.

Specialized/Technical Knowledge or Required Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Electrical, Civil, Chemical, or another related engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 3 years of engineering and/or capital project experience in a manufacturing, industrial, or process environment. Experience managing projects involving vendors, contractors, engineering firms, and cross-functional plant teams is strongly preferred.
• Demonstrated experience managing projects through multiple phases, including project scoping, cost estimating, budgeting, engineering/design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and project closeout.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and manage project budgets, schedules, forecasts, and expenditures.
• Working knowledge of engineering principles and applicable national, state, and local codes and standards relevant to industrial facilities and equipment.
• Working knowledge of industrial safety requirements and the ability to incorporate safety considerations into project design and execution.
• Familiarity with Change Management, Process Hazard Analysis (PHA/HAZOP), Pre-Startup Safety Review (PSSR), and other applicable process safety and project management practices is preferred.
• Working knowledge of industrial equipment, manufacturing processes, and plant utilities. Experience with mechanical, electrical, instrumentation, controls, and/or structural systems is desirable.
• Knowledge of industrial process control, automation, instrumentation, and PLC systems is desirable.
• Proficiency with standard computer applications, including Microsoft Office products. Experience with project scheduling, estimating, engineering, or project management software is desirable.
• Demonstrated ability to effectively communicate and work with Operations, Maintenance, Safety, Environmental, Quality, Finance, Procurement, contractors, vendors, and engineering firms.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities while maintaining focus on safety, cost, schedule, quality, and project objectives.
• Ability and willingness to work regularly in an operating manufacturing environment, including the production floor and construction areas, and to safely navigate industrial environments.
• Maintains current knowledge of applicable national, state, and local standards and regulations related to the operation, inspection, maintenance, and repair of cranes and other applicable plant equipment to ensure compliance with company and regulatory requirements.
• Experience in the wood products, OSB, plywood, lumber, pulp and paper, building products, chemical, or other continuous/process manufacturing industry.
• Experience managing capital projects in the $10,000 to $5+ million range.
• Experience managing projects involving significant equipment procurement, long-lead equipment, plant outages, or major equipment installations.
• Experience with industrial construction management and contractor coordination.
• Experience with electrical power distribution, motor control, instrumentation, PLCs, process controls, and industrial automation.
• Experience with mechanical equipment, rotating equipment, conveyors, material handling systems, hydraulic systems, pneumatic systems, and industrial utilities.
• Experience developing capital expenditure requests, project justifications, ROI/payback analyses, and project forecasts.
• Experience with P&IDs, equipment specifications, engineering drawings, and technical documentation.
• Experience with AutoCAD, SolidWorks, or other engineering/design software.
• Experience with project scheduling software such as Microsoft Project or equivalent.
• Experience with Factory Mutual (FM) requirements, OSHA regulations, and applicable electrical, fire protection, building, and environmental codes.