Senior Process Engineer

Job Title: Senior Process Engineer, Technical

Reports to: Technical Director and Quality Manager

Grade: 5

The Position

We currently have an opening in the Technical Department for a Senior Process Engineer based out of our location in Port Townsend, Washington.

About Port Townsend Paper Company (PTPC)

The Port Townsend Paper (“PTPC”) mill is proud to have been in continuous operation for more than 90 years. We use a blend of virgin and recycled fibers (Kraft and OCC pulp) to produce Kraft pulp, paper, containerboard, medium and market pulp. We have built a strong and loyal customer base by developing and nurturing strategic partnership-style relationships.

At PTPC we believe that a healthy and safe work environment is fundamental to the success of all employees. We put that belief into practice every day by managing risk and building safety reliability into our processes and procedures. Engaging and empowering our workforce to maintain world-class safety performance is the pathway to achieving operational excellence. We also strive to preserve the environment, be good neighbors, and remain a valued member of the local community. Many of our employees have enjoyed working at PTPC for the greater part of their careers; we have employees with 20, 25, 30, even 35 years of service.

Job Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership to operations, maintenance, and technical teams to identify, prioritize, and implement process improvements that enhance safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and cost performance while reducing process variability.
• Serve as a subject matter expert for mill processes, providing guidance and mentoring to junior engineers, operators, and technicians.
• Lead and support complex process optimization initiatives, including process modeling, Design of Experiments (DOE), Statistical Process Control (SPC), and advanced data analysis.
• Develop, implement, and sustain technical training programs for operators and laboratory personnel to improve process understanding and execution.
• Build strong working relationships with operations, maintenance, and leadership to promote knowledge sharing and collaborative problem-solving.
• Establish and maintain optimal operating envelopes through statistical analysis and ongoing performance monitoring.
• Lead root cause analysis (RCA) investigations for significant process, quality, or equipment issues and ensure effective corrective and preventive actions are implemented.
• Oversee and support process changes, chemical additive evaluations, and paper machine or mill trials from planning through execution and post-trial analysis.
• Support mill quality objectives by reducing customer complaints, improving product consistency, maintaining quality control charting, and minimizing quality-related costs.
• Ensure accuracy and reliability of key process instrumentation through routine testing, validation, and collaboration with maintenance and controls.
• Actively contributes to the mill’s continuous improvement culture by identifying long-term opportunities and supporting strategic initiatives.
• Interface with customers, vendors, and corporate resources as needed to support process performance and product quality.
• Other duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• In-depth process knowledge of kraft pulp and paper manufacturing operations.
• Advanced knowledge and application of DOE, SPC, and process optimization methodologies.
• Strong analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills with the ability to manage complex, cross-functional issues.
• Demonstrated leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and projects in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.
• Strong ability to organize, interpret, and present technical data clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• High proficiency with Microsoft Office applications (Excel including pivot tables, Access Database, PowerPoint, Outlook, Teams, Visio, OneNote).
• Parcview knowledge is a plus.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Required Experience

• Minimum 7–10 years of progressive experience in kraft pulp and paper manufacturing or a closely related industrial process environment.
• Demonstrated experience leading process improvement projects, statistical package like Minitab, process control, and supporting mill-wide technical efforts.

Preferred Education

• Bachelor’s degree or higher in Paper Science & Technology, Chemical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Industrial Engineering.
• Advanced technical training or certifications related to process improvement or quality systems are a plus.

Employment Terms

• Full-time, Exempt position
• Salary range: $103,500-$160,500  (grade 5)
• Excellent benefits package including medical, dental, life, and long-term disability insurance.
• Competitive paid vacation plan.
• 9 paid holidays and one paid personal holiday per calendar year.

• Retirement plan.
• In compliance with the Immigration and Naturalization Act, proof of authorization to work in the United States will be required at the time of hire.
• Prior to a new hire, a background check including criminal record history will be conducted. Information from the background check will not necessarily preclude employment but will be considered in determining the applicant’s suitability and competence to perform in the position

Port Townsend Paper Company is an equal opportunity employer. We are a drug-free workplace.