SME Mechanical

Location: UK or Europe (with travel across DS Smith Paper Mills)

We’re looking for a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in Mechanical Engineering to join our central engineering function. This is a pivotal technical role where you’ll lead on all mechanical engineering activities across our paper mills in the UK and Europe. You’ll be at the heart of our drive to continuously improve reliability, efficiency, and technical standards across our operations.

This is not a management position—this is a role for a highly skilled technical expert with deep mechanical engineering knowledge and a passion for solving complex engineering challenges. This role requires travel, both within the EU and outside, approximately 30-50% of the time, and a willingness to provide assistance 24/7 to manufacturing facilities.

Key Responsibilities:

• Act as the technical lead for mechanical engineering across all DS Smith Paper mills
• Develop and implement best practices, standards, and specifications for mechanical systems and equipment
• Support site teams with troubleshooting, root cause analysis, and technical problem-solving
• Train and mentor engineering team members across multiple sites to build capability and drive knowledge transfer
• Collaborate with cross-divisional teams on capital projects, equipment upgrades, and strategic engineering initiatives
• Evaluate and introduce innovative mechanical solutions to improve safety, reliability, and performance
• Ensure compliance with relevant industry standards, health & safety regulations, and internal policies

About You:

• Degree-qualified in Mechanical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• Significant hands-on mechanical engineering experience in an industrial or manufacturing environment—ideally within heavy industry, paper, packaging, or process sectors
• Deep understanding of rotating equipment, hydraulics, pneumatics, and mechanical systems
• Excellent diagnostic and analytical skills, with a track record of delivering technical solutions in complex environments
• Strong communication skills and the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to non-specialists
• Confident in training and mentoring others; able to build strong working relationships at all levels
• Willing and able to travel regularly across DS Smith sites in the UK and Europe

Pension Scheme
Life Assurance
Income Protection
Employee Discounts Programme
Cycle to Work Scheme

We are DS Smith, together with International Paper, we are a global leader in sustainable packaging solutions and other fibre-based products. We believe a better, more sustainable tomorrow is possible with the right people, who challenge and support one another to enact positive change. We employ more than 65,000 colleagues in North America and Europe, Middle East and Africa (EMEA), who are experts in innovation, manufacturing, design, sales, sustainability, supply chain, and much more. Together with our customers, we make the world safer and more productive, one sustainable packaging solution at a time.

To fulfil our purpose of redefining packaging for a changing world, we aim to build a diverse, motivated, and engaged workforce. Our goal is to create a culture of inclusion where everyone is treated fairly, differences are valued, and everyone has an equal opportunity to succeed. Our people come from diverse backgrounds, bring different perspectives, ideas and experiences to generate unique solutions focused on present and future sustainability challenges. We welcome all candidates to apply, even those not meeting all criteria.

DS Smith is a leading provider of sustainable fibre-based packaging worldwide, which is supported by recycling and paper making operations. We play a central role in the value chain across sectors including e-commerce, fast moving consumer goods and industrials. Through our purpose of 'Redefining Packaging for a Changing World' and our Now and Next sustainability strategy, we are committed to leading the transition to the circular economy, while delivering more circular solutions for our customers and wider society - replacing problem plastics, taking carbon out of supply chains and providing innovative recycling solutions. Our bespoke box-to-box in 14 days model, design capabilities and innovation strategy sits at the heart of this response. Headquartered in London and a member of the FTSE 100, DS Smith operates in 34 countries employing around 30,000 people and we are a Strategic Partner of the Ellen MacArthur Foundation.