Plant Optimization Engineer (Plymouth, MI)

About the role

Packaging Corporation of America (PCA) is a Fortune 500 ideas and solutions company. Our corrugated packaging business helps customers — large and small — package, transport, and display products of all kinds. Our white paper business delivers Paper With Purpose through the highest level of customer service and operational excellence. We have approximately 15,000 team members in more than 100 locations across the United States, striving to meet local customer needs. Our mission is to serve customers today and tomorrow with products and services that exceed expectations for performance and environmental responsibility.

The Plant Optimization Engineer (POE) position is a 2-year rotational training program designed for recent engineering graduates (0–2 years experience). POEs receive in-depth, hands-on technical training in the Maintenance and Production departments of a corrugated box plant and gain a well-rounded understanding of the corrugated packaging industry. Throughout the program, POEs complete engineering process optimization projects — typically in scrap reduction, throughput improvements, and downtime reduction — and provide engineering support to all plant functions as needed. Upon successful completion, the POE transitions into a full-time role aligned with their skills and interests, such as box plant leadership or management positions in Production or Maintenance, at their current plant or another PCA facility.

Responsibilities

• Rotate through all departments at a corrugated plant, completing assigned learning objectives and technical training in each area.
• Organize and implement moderate to large process improvements, problem elimination, and capital/expense projects focusing on asset health and overall improved reliability.
• Recommend and help drive or implement innovative solutions to improve equipment, facility, and plant operations.
• Attend and participate in POE program conferences and assigned off-site training.
• Collaborate with other Plant Optimization Engineers, the plant leadership team, and machine and maintenance operators to complete projects.
• Work with the POE Mentor/manager to conceptualize a career path to follow the POE program.
• Know and follow company policies and procedures, share information that benefits the team, and find ways to improve service delivery to customers.
• Strengthen PCA’s business philosophy of meeting needs and exceeding expectations, supporting PCA’s Commitment to Service — doing what is right for customers, focusing on value-adding strategies, and keeping promises.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in engineering required prior to starting.
• 0–2 years previous engineering experience, including internships and co-ops, providing technical support in a manufacturing plant or industrial environment.
• Ability to work first, second, or third shift during the production department rotation as needed.
• Must be self-driven and passionate about working in a hands-on manufacturing environment.
• Must be able to travel as necessary and possess valid documents for travel via air and car.

Qualifications

• Minimum of one internship or co-op preferred, especially in a manufacturing environment.
• Bachelor of Science in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Paper Engineering, Industrial & Systems Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or Engineering Technology preferred; other engineering majors considered based on experience.
• Experience with AutoCAD, Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and manufacturing systems (shop floor software, maintenance work order systems, etc.) preferred.
• Six Sigma, Lean Manufacturing, or Statistical Process Control (SPC) experience preferred.

Skills

• Solid interpersonal skills to effectively communicate with production team and management.
• Ability to learn quickly and put new knowledge into practice.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills for effective communication across the company on procedures, policies, practices, and information requests.
• Strong listening, evaluating, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to create alternative solutions and meet deadlines.
• Leadership experience or strong leadership skills with the drive to lead others.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to network and build relationships with individuals of various experiences and professional levels inside and outside the company.
• Previous team experience or strong understanding of the importance of open communication and information sharing between team members.

Pay

Starting salary range: $83,000–$87,000. Annual bonus based on individual contribution and overall company performance.

Benefits

• Paid vacation: three (3) weeks per calendar year (pro-rated during initial year based on start date).
• Paid holidays.
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage eligibility within the first 30 days of employment for employee and dependents.
• Automatic enrollment in life, AD&D, and disability coverages upon hire.
• Automatic enrollment in 401(k) plan upon hire with pre-tax and Roth contribution options and employer matching contributions.