Overview
The Principal Engineer will provide technical leadership and subject matter expertise in pulp technology to support acetate manufacturing operations and advance Technology & Innovation (T&I) initiatives. This role is based at the Narrows, Virginia facility, which serves as the hub for acetate flake and tow production as well as the Acetate Technology & Innovation Center. The position combines strong hands-on technical contribution with project leadership and collaboration across manufacturing, procurement, and T&I functions.
Responsibilities
- Lead Pulp related programs within the T&I group
- Lead technical efforts to troubleshoot process manufacturing and product quality issues
- Direct laboratory testing of various wood pulp supplies for suitability for use in acetate flake production including trials at the Manufacturing level
- Demonstrate new technologies from laboratory/pilot plant to production scale operations
- Develop Intellectual Property related to Acetate flake and tow production and applications
- Support Procurement on Sourcing of Wood Pulp from a variety of suppliers
- Manage Technology & Innovation development projects for new acetate applications and production means.
- Direct multi-disciplinary teams to qualify new raw materials
- Support product stewardship and safe manufacturing practices
- Manage additional R&D laboratory/pilot plant operations and resources as needed
- Meet strict internal/external customer requirements
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree or higher in Chemical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Chemistry, or related discipline
- 10+ years of experience in manufacturing, R&D, or process technology roles
- Pulp and Paper Process knowledge; ideally dissolving high purity cellulose specialties
- Cellulosic (Polysaccharide) polymer chemistry understanding
- Proven ability to lead technical efforts to troubleshoot process manufacturing and product quality issues
- Experience with multi-disciplinary teams
- Understanding of key product stewardship and safe manufacturing practices
- Demonstrated capability to develop new technologies from laboratory/pilot plant to production scale operations
- Experience in meeting strict internal/external customer requirements
- Exhibit excellent written and verbal communication skills across multiple levels in organization
- Management / supervision experience for R&D laboratory/pilot plant operations and resources
- Understanding and application of Financial Acumen in deployment of technology
- Ability to both act as an individual contributor and a team leader
