Entry Level Process Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

General Information
Job ID
ATR61868
Posting Job Title
Process Engineer
Locations
VA Covington
Employment Type
Full Time
Date Posted
06-May-2026
Relocation Support
Yes
Description & Requirements
Smurfit Westrock (NYSE:SW) is the go-to leader and partner of choice in sustainable packaging. We are dedicated to creating efficient and scalable paper and packaging solutions to help solve complex packaging challenges. Guided by our values of safety, loyalty, integrity and respect, we are committed to delivering meaningful value for shareholders, customers, employees and the communities where we operate.
The Opportunity:
The Covington mill is North America's largest bleached paperboard mill. It began production in 1899 and has been in continuous operation since that time. Leadership has focused on continually improving and growing the business. Year after year Covington continues to deliver unprecedented safety, reliability, production, and financial results. The Covington site is ideally located due to its fiber supply, low-cost energy, and access to major user markets for products. The Covington mill has three paperboard machines that produce high-quality coated bleached board products used for multiple packaging applications (pharmaceutical, cosmetic, electronics, tobacco, and food products), as well as commercial printing applications (greeting cards, lottery tickets, business cards, direct mail, large format signage, etc.).
As an Entry-Level Process Engineer, you would provide technical services in monitoring, investigating, evaluating, and making recommendations for improving quality, quantity, and cost of the various manufacturing processes in paperboard production. You will join our rotational team for your first year. During that year, you will rotate through approximately three departments, spending four months in each, learning the different processes. Ideally, at the end of your first year, you will be placed in a department permanently.
How you will impact Smurfit Westrock:
• Provide management with information on quality and operating parameters to assist in process control, budgeting, and detection of trends.
• Participate on process improvement teams to identify problems, evaluate solutions, make recommendations, and assist in implementing approved changes to improve quality, cost, and/or throughput.
• Complete projects and development activities to prepare for operation positions as vacancies occur.
• Participate in all process engineering aspects of capital projects.
• Actively promote safety and environmental compliance.
• Other duties as assigned.
What you will need to succeed:
• Required: BS Degree in Engineering (Chemical, Electrical or Mechanical) or Pulp and Paper Science.
• Required: Experience with Microsoft Office Suite including MS Excel
• Preferred: Minimum 2 years of industry experience on either the paper machine or pulp mill area, preferably in a process engineering role (can be combination of Co-Op / Internship, along with time in process engineering role)
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Physical ability to operate in paper mill environment, including light to moderate lifting, walking, and climbing, oral communication, correctable vision, and ability to work in a hot, humid, and dusty environment.
What we offer:
Corporate culture based on integrity, respect, accountability, and excellence.
Comprehensive training with numerous learning and development opportunities.
An attractive salary reflecting skills, competencies, and potential.
Benefits package to include medical, dental, vision, life insurance, 401k with match, tuition reimbursement, employee discounts, employee referral bonus, and much more!
A career with a global packaging company where Sustainability, Safety and Inclusion are business drivers and foundational elements of the daily work.
Candidates are required to undergo a drug screening after receiving a conditional job offer, but before starting employment.
Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by state or federal law.