Forward Deployed Engineer

The Opportunity

Smurfit WestRock is seeking a highly motivated Forward Deployed Engineer (FDE) to identify, develop, and deploy emerging technologies that create measurable operational value across our manufacturing network.

Working at the intersection of manufacturing, automation, software, data, and artificial intelligence, the FDE partners directly with operations, maintenance, engineering, and technology teams to solve real-world industrial challenges.

Unlike traditional engineering or software development roles, the FDE owns the full innovation lifecycle: problem discovery, solution design, deployment, performance measurement, continuous improvement, and enterprise scaling.

The ideal candidate is a technically versatile problem solver who is equally comfortable on a manufacturing floor, writing code, and collaborating with operators to improve plant performance.

How you will impact Smurfit Westrock

Industrial Problem Discovery

• Partner with plant personnel to identify operational, reliability, safety, quality, and productivity challenges.
• Spend time in manufacturing environments to understand processes, equipment, workflows, and constraints.
• Translate operational opportunities into scalable technical solutions and evaluate them based on business impact and implementation feasibility.

Solution Development

• Design and develop solutions using technologies such as artificial intelligence and generative AI, computer vision, Industrial IoT, robotics and autonomous systems, edge computing, advanced sensors and instrumentation, digital twins, industrial analytics, advanced process control, and cloud and data platforms.
• Rapidly prototype and validate concepts.
• Develop software applications, integrations, dashboards, and automation solutions.

Technology Deployment

• Deploy solutions in production manufacturing environments and integrate them with PLCs, DCS, SCADA platforms, historians, industrial networks, and enterprise data systems.
• Troubleshoot issues across hardware, software, controls, and network layers.
• Ensure reliability, maintainability, cybersecurity, and user adoption.

Continuous Improvement and Scaling

• Measure and communicate business results, then refine deployed solutions based on operational feedback.
• Develop standards and best practices that enable enterprise-wide deployment.
• Support replication of successful solutions across multiple facilities.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Work closely with operations, maintenance, process and control engineering, OT/IT, data science, technology vendors, and business leadership.
• Communicate effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders.

What you will need to succeed

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, computer science, information technology, robotics, automation, or a related technical discipline. Equivalent industrial, military, skilled-trades, or demonstrated technical experience may be considered.
• Experience applying technology solutions in industrial or manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical and troubleshooting skills.
• Ability to work independently in ambiguous and rapidly changing environments.
• Willingness to travel to manufacturing facilities as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

Experience in several of the following areas:

• Industrial Technology: Process control, automation systems, PLC programming, DCS, SCADA/HMI platforms, industrial networking, OT architecture, and industrial cybersecurity.
• Software and Data: Python, C#, JavaScript, SQL, API development and integration, data engineering, cloud platforms, and application development.
• Emerging Technology: Artificial intelligence and machine learning, generative AI, computer vision, robotics, edge computing, digital twins, and advanced analytics.
• Operational Excellence: Manufacturing optimization, reliability improvement, asset performance management, continuous improvement, and Lean manufacturing.

Desired Characteristics

The successful candidate will:

• Demonstrate strong curiosity about emerging technologies and passion for solving challenging industrial problems.
• Enjoy building, testing, and deploying solutions.
• Bring a hands-on mindset and willingness to work directly with equipment and systems.
• Learn new technologies quickly and independently.
• Communicate effectively across organizational levels.
• Take ownership from concept through deployment and drive work to completion.
• Balance innovation with operational reliability and safety.

What Success Looks Like

Success in this role is measured by the ability to:

• Identify high-value opportunities within manufacturing operations.
• Rapidly develop and deploy practical technology solutions.
• Improve safety, reliability, quality, productivity, and cost performance.
• Drive measurable business outcomes through innovation.
• Scale successful technologies across multiple facilities.
• Become a trusted technical advisor to manufacturing operations.

Why Join the Emerging Technology Team?

This team is focused on transforming manufacturing through the application of advanced technologies. We move quickly, test ideas in real-world conditions, and deliver solutions that create measurable operational impact.

Find the problem. Build the solution. Deploy it. Measure it. Improve it. Scale it.

We're looking for engineers, builders, innovators, and problem-solvers who want to shape the future of manufacturing technology.