Job Title: Staff Engineer – Coordinated Drives (Pulp & Paper Industry)
Location:
- Birmingham, AL or Greenville, SC
- Full-Time | On-Site
- Travel: Occasonal
About the Role
We are seeking a highly experienced Staff Electrical Engineer with a strong background in coordinated AC/DC drive systems for the pulp & paper industry. This is a senior-level engineering role focused on designing and implementing drive systems across the entire pulp & paper value chain—from raw material processing to finished product conversion.
You will join a technically elite team at a nationally respected engineering firm that supports major capital projects across the industrial sector. This position plays a critical role in ensuring system performance, reliability, and integration at every stage of the project lifecycle—from design through field commissioning.
Key Responsibilities
Drive Systems Engineering & Integration
- Design and configure coordinated AC and DC drive systems for pulp & paper applications, including:
- Pulp Production: Digesters, grinders, refiners
- Papermaking: Headboxes, forming sections, press and drying sections
- Converting: Cutters, rewinders, sheeters, and roll handling equipment
- Evaluate NRL and RDC horsepower requirements and select appropriate drive hardware.
- Address power distribution, harmonics, and control logic for seamless system operation.
Vendor & OEM Coordination
- Collaborate with drive manufacturers and equipment suppliers to define system architecture and ensure compatibility with driven equipment.
- Lead technical bid evaluations and participate in vendor selection processes.
- Review and provide feedback on vendor documentation (drawings, schematics, integration details).
Controls Integration
- Interface drive systems with plant-wide DCS and PLC control systems.
- Design and validate control strategies for synchronized speed, torque, and tension control across multiple drive axes.
Project Execution & Field Support
- Contribute to construction drawing packages and work closely with cross-discipline teams on deliverables.
- Participate in Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT), construction readiness reviews, and on-site startup/commissioning.
- Provide troubleshooting support during installation and ensure systems perform to spec.
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
- 10+ years of experience in drive systems engineering, specifically in coordinated drive applications.
- Direct experience in the pulp & paper industry is required \- applicants must demonstrate hands-on involvement with drive systems in any of the following areas: pulp production, papermaking, or converting.
- Proficiency in:
- AC/DC drives and motor systems
- Master PLCs and drive coordination logic
- Harmonics analysis and power distribution systems
- Reading and producing detailed engineering schematics and documentation
Preferred Qualifications
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE)
- Familiarity with engineering tools for load sizing, harmonics simulation, and control system modeling
- Experience producing construction packages and supporting large-scale site installations
Why Join Us?
- Join a trusted firm delivering high-impact infrastructure across the Southeastern U.S.
- Be part of an expert-led electrical engineering group solving complex challenges in heavy industry.
- Competitive salary and full benefits package
- Flexible office location: Birmingham, AL or Greenville, SC