Engineering

Engineering Co-op Program

The Georgia-Pacific Engineering co-op program gives you hands on work experience in engineering principles and lets you apply classroom fundamentals to everyday business practices. GP believes that this combination of school and work will give you a competitive edge when you enter the workforce. Learn more »

Entry-level engineering (ELE) program

Overview

The entry-level engineering (ELE) program was established in 1995 to provide Georgia-Pacific mills with a talent pool of engineers able to fill middle level supervisory and technical positions. Over 350 engineers have been hired into the program. From the start, engineering employees are given challenging, technically sophisticated, hands-on assignments. Our team approach to problem-solving yields shared knowledge, expertise and creative thinking. Click here to see locations where ELEs are placed.

Encouragement to stretch beyond established boundaries with innovative solutions allows our employees to learn and grow. GP stands behind our quest for technological excellence by challenging our employees with such responsibilities as:

• Applying proven, reliable processes and equipment at our facilities.
• Investigating and evaluating emerging technologies in order to assure long-term compatibility of existing facilities with future opportunities.
• Maintaining close working relationships with equipment suppliers on a project-by-project basis, and interfacing with raw materials suppliers on a similar technology interchange basis.
• Facilitating technology transfer between our various production facilities and interacting with colleagues at other Georgia-Pacific facilities.
• Establishing relationships and participating in activities with professional associations, universities and technical institutions.

Available positions

We hire both process and project engineers into the ELE program.

Process Engineers

Perform chemical engineering work in the analysis, planning and control of the manufacturing process for the production of pulp and paper products. Conduct trials, mill improvement studies and may coordinate effluent treatment projects, air quality studies, etc. Regularly advise or interpret information for directors/managers or superintendents. Positions require extensive interpersonal and group communication.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in chemical engineering or pulp and paper sciences
• Minimum 2.8 GPA
• Relevant co-op or intern experience
• Ability and desire to follow detailed safety precautions

Project Engineers

Provide engineering advice to operations and maintenance, implement changes to mill operations and equipment, and assist in the design or modification of construction and installation of new equipment/facilities to directly effect operations. Positions require extensive interpersonal and group communication.

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical or electrical engineering
• Minimum 2.8 GPA
• Relevant co-op or intern experience
• Ability and desire to follow detailed safety precautions

Our recruiting process

First Step: On-campus interviews

Our trips to campus include hosting information sessions the night prior to interviewing, and the interviews themselves. Contact your local career services office for information on how to submit your resume for consideration.

Second Step: Second round interviews

The second step in our recruiting process takes top candidates from each university and brings them together with GP mill representatives to a three-day event we've nicknamed "The Draft." This is an excellent opportunity to speak with GP engineers from around the country, tour a mill facility and determine whether GP is the right place for you.

Third Step: Mill visits

Once you have been extended an offer from a mill following the second round of interviews, you will have an opportunity to visit that site. There you will learn more about the location, work environment and specific opportunities.

ELE training program

The training program has two facets: corporate and mill.

Mill Training

The mill training program focuses on providing exposure to key processes and contacts within the mill. Each mill has developed its own program for developing ELEs. A Key Learning Matrix lists areas that ELEs should become familiar with in their first two years. Several mills have incorporated formal rotations between key departments (pulping, power and recovery, paper machines, converting, etc.) and established department reviews at the end of each rotation.

Corporate Training

The corporate training program consists of five sessions in the first three years of employment. Classes help develop leadership, business knowledge and technical skills. The first three sessions occur at mill sites, and provide ELEs with exposure to other mills. The fourth session occurs at corporate headquarters in Atlanta and provides exposure to different business groups. The fifth session occurs during the third year of employment and focuses on career development.

Overview of the Corporate Training Program

First Year

• Session #1 - Pulping and Bleaching
• Session #2 - Paper and Tissue Making

Second Year

• Session #3 - Power and Recovery, Project Management, Process Control and Safety
• Session #4 - Project Engineering

Third Year

• Session #5 - Career Development

Career paths

There is primarily a dual career path for engineers at Georgia-Pacific – technical and operational. Engineers pursuing the technical career path usually want to continue building their technical skills, and may even seek some managerial experience through positions such as engineering supervisor, quality manager, plant engineer and technical superintendent. Those pursuing operations move from a process or project engineering position to a technical assistant and then move up through positions such as supervisor, superintendent and sometimes even general manager or vice president of operations.

The direction your career takes is up to you. We provide the opportunity and you provide the talent, knowledge, effort and dedication. We encourage you to aim high and look toward career opportunities in the following areas:

• Engineering
• Maintenance
• Technical service
• Environmental science
• Quality control
• Production