Project Engineer

Job Title: Project Engineer Capital Projects

Job Description

The Project Engineer plans, coordinates, and executes engineering and capital projects from initial concept through commissioning and closeout in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment. This role owns capital projects end-to-end, ensuring they are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with all applicable codes, standards, and internal requirements. The Project Engineer serves as a hands-on technical leader and subject matter expert on newly installed equipment, working closely with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and leadership to drive continuous improvement and support long-term business objectives.

Responsibilities

• Manage capital and expense projects from initiation through commissioning and final closeout, ensuring scope, schedule, and budget targets are met.

• Serve as the technical subject matter expert on newly installed equipment, providing guidance on design, installation, and performance.

• Act as a hands-on technical project manager, performing engineering and project development work in the office and leading execution and installation activities on the production floor.

• Develop comprehensive project scopes, specifications, work breakdown structures (WBS), schedules, budgets, resource plans, communication plans, and change management plans for all projects.

• Build and lead high-performing cross-functional project teams that include operations, maintenance, engineering, and external contractors.

• Monitor project progress and provide regular status updates to stakeholders, including executive leadership, tracking performance against schedule, budget, and key milestones.

• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks, distinguishing between known and unknown risks to ensure successful execution.

• Perform hands-on troubleshooting of equipment issues and provide technical direction to maintenance, operations, and contractors when needed.

• Develop standard operating procedures (SOPs) for operations and maintenance as part of the operational readiness plan, including oversight of training activities.

• Apply fundamental project management principles, including scope definition, specification development, design review, budgeting, and schedule management governed by formal change management and operational readiness processes.

• Support and, where applicable, lead formal operational readiness and commissioning activities, with knowledge of FEL processes and IQ/OQ/PQ methodologies considered a plus.

• Contribute effectively to achieving departmental goals and key performance indicators, including on-time delivery, on-budget performance, and project return on investment (ROI).

• Coordinate project activities across multiple departments and external contractors to ensure projects are completed on time and aligned with manufacturing needs.

• Incorporate safety into all aspects of project planning and execution, ensuring safe working conditions during installation, commissioning, and ongoing operations in the manufacturing environment.

• Lead procurement activities, including writing RFQ bid packages, obtaining and evaluating bids, making purchase recommendations, and preparing purchase requisitions.

• Research, evaluate, and recommend new technologies, equipment, and processes to improve manufacturing performance, reliability, and efficiency.

• Support production operations through process optimization, root cause analysis, and implementation of continuous improvement initiatives such as lean manufacturing, Six Sigma methodologies, and preventative maintenance strategies.

• Provide ongoing technical support to production and maintenance teams to enhance equipment reliability, throughput, and product quality.

Essential Skills

• Four-year degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering from an ABET/EAC accredited university.

• Minimum of 710 years of project management experience in a heavy industrial manufacturing environment.

• Demonstrated experience leading capital projects and installing new equipment and processes, directing internal and/or external resources on projects ranging from approximately $1M to $20M.

• Strong experience in heavy industrial manufacturing, preferably metals or materials manufacturing.

• Proficiency with project management software such as Microsoft Project or equivalent tools.

• Strong computer skills, including AutoCAD and proficiency with Microsoft Excel, Word, and Access.

• Proven ability to plan and schedule capital projects using work breakdown structures (WBS).

• Experience with budget management, resource planning, change management, risk mitigation, commissioning, and project closeout.

• Ability to communicate effectively with stakeholders at all levels, including executive leadership, and provide clear, timely project updates.

• Detail-oriented approach combined with strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Hands-on experience with industrial equipment, production support, process optimization, root cause analysis, preventative maintenance, and continuous improvement.

• Commitment to environmental stewardship and safety, promoting environmental sustainability and regulatory compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in metals or materials manufacturing, including exposure to hydraulic presses, hot rolling, cold rolling, metal extrusion or conforming, annealing, and melt furnaces.

• PMP certification or equivalent formal project management credential is a plus.

• Knowledge of FEL (Front-End Loading) project processes is a plus.

• Experience with formal operational readiness and commissioning methodologies, including IQ/OQ/PQ, is highly desirable.

• Familiarity with lean manufacturing principles and Six Sigma methodologies for process improvement.

• Ability to drive process optimization initiatives that improve throughput, quality, and reliability.

• Strong interpersonal skills and the ability to develop high-performing cross-functional teams.

• Ability to balance strategic project planning with hands-on execution in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Motivation to move beyond day-to-day maintenance support and production firefighting, with a desire to own capital projects from design through startup and build a path toward engineering and operational leadership.

Work Environment

Work is performed primarily in a heavy industrial manufacturing setting that includes frequent exposure to moving mechanical parts, varying temperatures, loud noise, and high levels of activity. The role requires regular communication, both verbal and written, and frequent walking, sitting, and use of hands to handle tools, equipment, and computers. Occasional standing and reaching with hands and arms are required, and the employee may occasionally lift or move up to 25 pounds. The position requires close, distance, color, peripheral vision, depth perception, and the ability to adjust focus to safely navigate the production floor and inspect equipment. The environment emphasizes strict adherence to safety practices, environmental sustainability, and regulatory compliance, with routine interaction between office-based engineering work and on-floor project execution using industrial equipment, project management software, and standard office productivity tools.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Eminence, KY.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Eminence,KY.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 15, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.