As a Fortune 500 company, Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is an ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business seeks to be the leader in helping our customers — large and small — package, transport and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose by providing the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations in the United States that strive to meet the local needs of our customers. Our mission is to serve the needs of our customers, today and tomorrow, with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.
People • Customers • Trust
Location: Flexible (Lower 48 States) | Travel: 80% | Relocation: Not Required
Are you ready to take your engineering expertise on the road and make a real difference? As a Senior Staff Mechanical Engineer at PCA, you’ll play a critical role in driving projects that shape the future of our manufacturing plants and papermills. This is a hands-on position where you’ll work side-by-side with leaders and skilled teams to bring innovative solutions to life.
If you thrive on solving complex challenges, collaborating with the best in the industry, and seeing your work make an immediate impact, this is the opportunity for you.
What You’ll Do
- Project Engineering – develop, evaluate, and propose solutions, create project scopes and budgets, write vendor/contractor scopes and specifications, evaluate proposals and make recommendations.
- Construction Management – create project schedule, coordinate with the plant or papermill personnel, and supervise contractors.
- Technical Support – troubleshoot and solve equipment downtime and production issues.
- Project Management – lead capital and maintenance projects from concept to completion—planning, design, budgeting, implementation, and troubleshooting.
- AutoCAD – creating drawings, general arrangements, concept layout, piping schematic/iso, basic civil/structural construction drawings.
- Develop actionable recommendations using sound engineering judgment.
- Coordinate and supervise contractors and engineering teams on diverse projects.
- Deliver projects on time and within budget while maintaining high-quality standards.
- Prepare reports and presentations based on data analysis and project outcomes.
What We’re Looking For
- Education: Bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering or related.
- Experience: 10+ years in industrial paper, corrugating, or design engineering environments.
- Strong communication and leadership skills with the ability to influence and collaborate.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office and AutoCAD (or similar).
- Ability to travel extensively (80%) – minimum 3 weeks per month.
- Organized, self-driven, and capable of working independently or as part of a team.
Why Join PCA?
- Work on high-impact projects that shape the future of our operations.
- Collaborate with industry leaders and skilled professionals.
COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS
- Starting salary range for position: $108,500-$170,000
- Bonus: Annual – Based upon individual contribution and overall, Company performance.
- Paid Vacation: Three (3) weeks per calendar year. Pro-rata Vacation during the initial year of hire based upon start date within the calendar year.
- Paid Holidays.
- Within the first 30 days of employment, an employee (and their dependents) is eligible to enroll in certain benefit coverages -- medical, dental, and vision – and are automatically enrolled in life, AD&D, and disability coverages.
- Upon hire, an employee is automatically enrolled in the 401k plan. The plan offers both pre-tax and Roth contribution options along with employer provided matching contributions.
- Disclaimer: The Compensation and Benefits information in this posting represents PCA’s good faith and reasonable estimate of what it may pay for this position. The Company reserves the right to modify this information at any time, subject to applicable law.
PCA is an Equal Opportunity Employer
Qualified Applicants must apply at careers.packagingcorp.com to be considered.
#LI-HS1
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or a related field
- 10+ years of experience in industrial paper, corrugating, or design engineering environments
- Strong communication and leadership skills
- Ability to influence and collaborate effectively
- Proficiency in Microsoft Office
- Proficiency in AutoCAD or similar software
- Ability to travel extensively, approximately 80% or at least three weeks per month
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
What We Do
Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) produces containerboard, corrugated packaging products, and uncoated free-sheet paper in North America. Its offerings include retail packaging and displays, shipping containers, pallets, graphic media boards, record-storage boxes, dunnage bags, and specialty supplies. PCA also manufactures commodity and specialty papers and provides design, technical, e-commerce, display, and graphic sales services for industrial and consumer customers across the United States.
