R&D Project Engineer

Job Description

Job Description

R&D Project Engineer | Burnsville, MN

We are seeking a motivated and hardworking individual to join our team in Burnsville, MN as an R&D Project Engineer. You will be part of a group of engineers dedicated to high-quality work, value-add solutions, skill development, and career growth. We welcome candidates from the Twin Cities metro and beyond to apply.  

Employees working in Burnsville, MN have a short commute from Savage, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Eagan, Lakeville, and Prior Lake and will enjoy professional growth and community engagement through our regional presence in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.

As an R&D Project Engineer, you will:

• Lead complex engineering projects within a Research, Development and Engineering (RDE) environment, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget
• Manage full project lifecycles including planning, execution, tracking, close‑out, and lessons learned
• Build and maintain detailed project schedules, charters, financial summaries, RAID logs, and stakeholder communication plans
• Drive consistent project execution, governance, and reporting practices across RDE
• Lead onboarding, coaching, and mentoring of project team members in risk management, resource planning, scope control, scheduling, and stakeholder communication
• Coordinate project requirements, design reviews, verification and validation activities, engineering change control, and market launch readiness
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation plans balancing technical, financial, and business impacts
• Report project progress, risks, and performance to leadership on established cadences
• Navigate difficult conversations, align cross‑functional priorities, and calm stakeholders during high‑pressure situations
• Contribute to project governance standards, tools, templates, and continuous improvement initiatives
• Support portfolio reviews, resource balancing, and scenario analysis
• Collaborate cross‑functionally to remove barriers, align priorities, and improve execution effectiveness
• Lead projects through ambiguity, shifting priorities, and evolving business needs in a still‑developing PMO environment

This role is ideal for seasoned Project Engineers who bring technical literacy and strong project leadership experience, capable of owning complex, high‑visibility projects with significant customer and business impact.

• Bachelor of Science degree or higher in engineering or a business‑related field
• PMP (Issued by PMI) or a Master's Degree in Project Management
• 7+ years leading engineering projects in mechanical, electrical, R&D, technology, or product development environments
• Proven experience building project schedules, charters, financial summaries, RAID logs, and stakeholder communication plans
• Demonstrated ability to lead projects in environments with immature or evolving PMO processes
• Strong business acumen with experience navigating difficult conversations, aligning priorities, and influencing without authority
• Proficiency with project scheduling and reporting tools including Microsoft Project, Planner, and related platforms
• Demonstrated success in business process improvement and structured project governance
• Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to calm stakeholders during high‑pressure situations
• Experience with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams, SharePoint), AI tools (Copilot/ChatGPT), and mind‑mapping tools (e.g., Mindomo)
• Experience driving technology or products to commercialization strongly preferred
• Ability to lead mechanical and electrical engineers while working in Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid environments
• Experience managing external vendors, suppliers, or development partners preferred
• Ability to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally
• Capable of working independently and as a team member
• Strong work ethic and unwavering integrity
• Excellent interpersonal skills and a learning mindset
• Curiosity, problem solving, and analytical thinking
• Effective verbal and written communication
• Desire to work on a variety of projects

Project Manager: $48.95 – $59.82/hour

Program Manager: $59.09 – $72.22/hour

Final compensation is based on experience, skills, and alignment with role expectations. Paid overtime may be available.

Applied Engineering is a 100% employee-owned engineering consulting company dedicated to providing exceptional talent and service to manufacturers across the Midwest and beyond. We have won numerous awards, including Best Place to Work and Top Place to Intern.

Innovation, problem solving, integrity, and collaboration are a few things you'll experience and represent while working with Applied. If you appreciate a challenge, variety, and a quicker pace, then we would like to get to know you better.

Our unique company culture blends talent, technology, and flexibility. We offer a career trajectory few others can match, with opportunities to take on roles and assignments aligned with your skills and interests.

In addition, we offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including:

• Competitive salary
• 401K retirement plan
• Paid time off and paid holidays
• Continuing Education Support
• Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance options
• Paid overtime
• Flexible work schedule

Please consider joining Applied's team of talented employees in Burnsville, Savage, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Eagan, Lakeville, and Prior Lake, Brooklyn Park, and the greater Twin Cities metro area. 

Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We regret that we do not offer sponsorship.

Applied Engineering is committed to a diverse workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

ID 20261036

Award Winning – Employee Owned – Comprehensive Benefits

Relocation Assistance – Ownership Opportunity – Continuing Education Support