Paper engineers ensure an optimal production process in the manufacture of paper and related products. They select primary and secondary raw materials and check their quality. In addition, they optimize machinery and equipment usage as well as the chemical additives for paper making.
The following job titles also refer to paper engineer:
paper engineer
paper mill process engineer
process engineer
pulp paper engineer
pulp and paper engineer
mechanical engineer
materials engineer
paper machine superintendant
ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:
the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.
These occupations require some skills and knowledge of paper engineer. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of paper engineer with a significant experience and/or extensive training.
This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of paper engineer.
Engineering principles: The engineering elements like functionality, replicability, and costs in relation to the design and how they are applied in the completion of engineering projects. Manufacturing processes: The steps required through which a material is transformed into a product, its development and full-scale manufacturing. Paper chemistry: The chemical composition of paper and the substances that can be added to the pulp in order to change the paper properties, such as caustic soda, sulfurous acid, and sodium sulfide. Paper production processes: The different steps in the manufacturing of paper and paperboard products, such as pulp production, bleaching, and pressing. Engineering processes: The systematic approach to the development and maintenance of engineering systems. Types of paper: The different criteria used to determine differences in paper types such as coarseness and thickness, and the different fabrication methods and wood types from which the types of paper stem. Quality standards: The national and international requirements, specifications and guidelines to ensure that products, services and processes are of good quality and fit for purpose. Sizes of paper: Different kinds of paper sizes such as folio, quarto, octavo, and sixteen-mo. Each type indicates how many times the paper has to be folded. While these are older, they are nowadays connected with ISO standards such as the A paper sizes. Types of pulp: Kinds of pulp are distinguished based on their fibre type and the specific chemical processes through which they were created.
These skills are necessary for the role of paper engineer.
Test paper production samples: Acquire test samples at various stages of the paper deinking and paper recycling process. Process the samples, e.g. by adding a measured amount of dye solution, and test them to determine values such as the pH level, the tear resistance or the degree of disintegration. Ensure compliance with safety legislation: Implement safety programmes to comply with national laws and legislation. Ensure that equipment and processes are compliant with safety regulations. Plan engineering activities: Organise engineering activities before starting them. Perform scientific research: Gain, correct or improve knowledge about phenomena by using scientific methods and techniques, based on empirical or measurable observations. Check paper quality: Monitor every aspect of the paper quality, such as its thickness, opacity and smoothness according to specifications and for further treatment and finishing processes. Monitor pulp quality: Avoid lesser quality and lower grades of recycled paper and pulp by keeping an eye open for stickies, plastics, colour, unbleached fibres, brightness, and dirt. Optimise production: Analyse and identify the strengths and weaknesses of solutions, conclusions or approaches to problems; formulate and plan alternatives. Monitor production developments: Monitor parameters to keep an eye on the production, developments and costs within your area of control. Check quality of raw materials: Check the quality of basic materials used for the production of semi-finished and finished goods by assessing some of its characteristics and, if needed, select samples to be analysed.
This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of paper engineer. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Business management principles: Principles governing business management methods such as strategy planning, methods of efficient production, people and resources coordination. Communication: Exchanging and conveying information, ideas, concepts, thoughts, and feelings through the use of a shared system of words, signs, and semiotic rules via a medium. Types of wood: Types of wood, such as birch, pine, poplar, mahogany, maple and tulipwood. Sales strategies: The principles concerning customer behaviour and target markets with the aim of promotion and sales of a product or a service.
These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of paper engineer. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.
Ensure compliance with environmental legislation: Monitor activities and perform tasks ensuring compliance with standards involving environmental protection and sustainability, and amend activities in the case of changes in environmental legislation. Ensure that the processes are compliant with environment regulations and best practices. Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents. Plan product management: Manage the scheduling of procedures which aim to maximise sales objectives, such as forecasting market trends, product placement, and sales planning. Dispose of hazardous waste: Dispose of dangerous materials such as chemical or radioactive substances according to environmental and to health and safety regulations. Dispose of non-hazardous waste: Dispose of waste materials which pose no risk to health and safety in a manner which complies with recycling and waste management procedures. Identify hazards in the workplace: Perform safety audits and inspections on workplaces and workplace equipment. Ensure that they meet safety regulations and identify hazards and risks. Prepare production reports: Prepare a comprehensive and unbiased report on wood technology production and progressive development of wood based materials. Use cad software: Use computer-aided design (CAD) systems to assist in the creation, modification, analysis, or optimisation of a design. Keep records of work progress: Maintain records of the progress of the work including time, defects, malfunctions, etc. Perform project management: Manage and plan various resources, such as human resources, budget, deadline, results, and quality necessary for a specific project, and monitor the project’s progress in order to achieve a specific goal within a set time and budget.
