Chief Plant Engineer

We are seeking a highly driven and technically adept Chief Plant Engineer to lead the design, planning, and execution of Mill Capital Projects, providing overall engineering leadership for infrastructure, utilities, and process improvement initiatives.

This role involves developing engineering scopes, overseeing conceptual and detailed design, and ensuring effective execution of capital investments that support plant reliability, capacity, and long-term sustainability. In addition, the position coordinates closely with Operations, Maintenance, Projects, and external engineering contractors to deliver strategic upgrades across reclaim water, service water, mechanical, electrical, and structural systems, ensuring technical integrity, regulatory compliance, schedule adherence, and cost-effective delivery of the Mill’s capital project portfolio.

Your key responsibilities will include:

• Provide overall technical leadership for plant engineering and project development activities.

• Define engineering scopes and execution strategies for utility systems such as reclaim water, service water, compressed air, and cooling.

• Lead feasibility reviews, conceptual designs, and cost estimates for plant upgrade initiatives.

• Approve and review design packages including PFDs, P&IDs, isometrics, electrical layouts, and mechanical fabrication drawings.

• Oversee execution planning, permitting readiness, and interface management between engineering, maintenance, and operations.

• Evaluate existing infrastructure for capacity, integrity, and regulatory compliance; develop rehabilitation strategies as required.

• Coordinate with contractors and engineering consultants to ensure proper design, sequencing, and technical compliance.

• Support and lead technical reviews of long-lead equipment, pump specifications, pressure regulation, and flow control systems.

• Monitor capital project performance (cost, schedule, quality) and report progress to senior leadership.

• Act as technical mentor to engineers and project team members, promoting engineering excellence and problem-solving.

The ideal candidate will have:

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related technical field

• Minimum 5 –10 years of experience in heavy industrial, mining, or utility plant environments

• Proven experience leading multidisciplinary infrastructure or utility upgrade projects

• Strong understanding of pump selection, piping design, water distribution, and energy systems

• Familiar with ASME B31.3, HDPE piping specs, VFD systems, and project lifecycle processes

Technical Knowledge & Skills

• Strong leadership and technical decision-making ability

• Deep knowledge of plant utilities, infrastructure, and equipment performance

• Excellent coordination skills across engineering, operations, maintenance, and contractors

• Ability to manage multiple high-impact projects simultaneously

• Proactive approach to identifying plant risks, inefficiencies, and upgrade needs

• Skilled in reading and reviewing engineering deliverables (drawings, diagrams, data sheets)

• Highly organized, with clear communication and strong reporting capability