Industrial Mechanical Technicians

Company: GCP PAPER USA, Inc. Location: Houston/New Caney, TX Job Type: Full-Time, Salaried FLSA Status: Exempt Job Summary Reporting to the Plant Engineering / Maintenance Manager, the Mechanical Engineer applies specialized engineering principles, mechanical theory, and technical analysis to optimize plant equipment reliability, continuous machinery performance, and industrial paper manufacturing processes.

While maintaining a direct engineering presence on the active manufacturing floor to analyze machinery behavior and direct complex technical troubleshooting, this position’s primary function relies on advanced technical expertise, design evaluation, root cause investigation, and continuous engineering improvement projects.

Essential Duties

& Responsibilities Learned Engineering Analysis & Design: Apply advanced mechanical engineering concepts, fluid dynamics, heat transfer, and stress analysis to design, evaluate, and optimize continuous paper converting machinery and high-speed production systems. Root Cause Failure Analysis (RCFA): Lead complex technical investigations and engineering failure analyses on critical equipment breakdowns; evaluate stress points, analyze failure modes, and design technical modifications to prevent recurrence.

Predictive & Reliability Engineering: Develop, refine, and scientifically assess Predictive and Preventive Maintenance (PdM/PM) methodologies using vibration analysis, thermography, and tribology data to maximize asset reliability and machinery lifecycle. Capital Projects & Equipment Upgrades: Plan, spec, and oversee mechanical capital engineering projects, equipment modifications, machinery installations, and precision alignment standards, exercising independent judgment to select materials, vendors, and engineering specifications.

Applied Floor Engineering & Technical Support: Spend dedicated time on the manufacturing floor performing high-level engineering diagnostic testing, validating mechanical tolerances, and providing technical engineering direction to maintenance technicians and operations teams during complex mechanical overhauls. Maintenance Systems & Asset Management: Utilize Oracle / CMMS platforms to track engineering KPIs, evaluate mechanical performance trends, optimize asset reliability models, and maintain standard operating procedures for mechanical interventions.

Safety & Regulatory Compliance: Ensure all mechanical designs and engineering modifications adhere strictly to OSHA standards, Lockout/Tagout (LOTO) protocols, machine safety guarding criteria, and corporate safety mandates.

Qualifications

& Requirements Education: Bachelor of Science degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Mechanical Engineering Technology, or a closely related ABET-accredited engineering discipline required. Experience: 3+ years of progressive mechanical engineering experience within a continuous process manufacturing environment (paper, tissue, converting, or continuous packaging preferred).

Technical Command: Deep theoretical and practical knowledge of rotating equipment, continuous drive systems, hydraulics, pneumatics, heat transfer, power transmission, and reliability tools (vibration analysis, precision laser alignment). Systems & Tools: Proficiency with CMMS/Oracle platforms, CAD software, and technical data analysis toolsets.

Languages: Professional verbal and written English proficiency required; conversational or professional Spanish communication skills preferred. Work Authorization: Must be legally authorized to work in the United States. Physical Demands & Work Environment Plant Floor Technical Presence: Active presence on the continuous manufacturing floor to conduct engineering inspections, technical diagnostic testing, and equipment performance evaluations in proximity to continuous production lines.

Physical Stamina & Mobility: Capability to navigate manufacturing facility layouts, walk plant floors, inspect elevated components, climb platform access ladders, and occasionally maneuver engineering diagnostic equipment up to 50 lbs. Safety & PPE Requirements: Strict compliance with required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE), including steel-toe footwear, safety glasses, hard hats, cut-resistant gloves, and hearing protection on the plant floor.

Company Benefits 100% Employer-Paid Healthcare: Fully covered individual Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance. 100% Employer-Paid Disability: Fully covered Short-Term Disability (STD) and Long-Term Disability (LTD). Retirement & PTO: 401(k) retirement savings plan, Paid Time Off (PTO), and paid company holidays.