Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager / Project EngineerJob Description

This role combines project management and project engineering responsibilities to lead new product introduction (NPI) and new product development (NPD) initiatives within a manufacturing environment, with a strong focus on mechanical and manufacturing engineering. The position drives product design, manufacturing process development, documentation, and continuous improvement activities to ensure high-quality, manufacturable products are successfully launched and supported through their NPI phase.

Responsibilities

• Verify that all materials, documents, plans, and procedures are accurate and complete to launch New Product Introduction (NPI) documentation, including schematics, bills of material, and prints.

• Provide inputs and direction for the bidding process, including labor estimates and other technical considerations that impact project scope and cost.

• Assist with and provide input into business development strategies to enable product line growth and support strategic expansion of offerings.

• Follow all ISO quality systems and procedures and initiate new documentation or updates to existing documentation as needed to maintain compliance.

• Ensure ongoing compliance with ISO quality systems and procedures across assigned projects and related engineering activities.

• Develop and implement manufacturing processes and documentation, including training materials and specifications, to support successful new product introduction.

• Design fully functioning products and lead collaboration with key internal and external customers, contractors, and development firms throughout the design process.

• Conduct Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/A) exercises to improve product design, enhance manufacturability, and reduce production complexity.

• Lead full product development efforts, including mechanical and manufacturing aspects, leveraging appropriate support staff to meet technical and project objectives.

• Provide indirect supervisory guidance to support staff and outside design contractors as required, ensuring alignment with project goals, timelines, and quality standards.

• Initiate, facilitate, and implement Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) to manage design and process changes effectively.

• Provide engineering support to manufacturing operations during the NPI phase, which may include generating and executing qualification and validation plans and reports.

• Install and test new equipment as part of NPI activities, ensuring proper operation, integration, and documentation.

• Collaborate with internal and external customers to resolve technical and process issues that arise during the NPI phase, maintaining clear communication and timely resolution.

• Develop and implement continuous improvement activities based on Lean, Six Sigma, and FOCUS methodologies to optimize product design, processes, and manufacturing flow.

• Support NPD, NPI, Quality, and Manufacturing Engineers by contributing to effective and efficient manufacturing plans, including work instructions and qualification and validation protocols and plans.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 5 years of experience in Project Engineering and/or Manufacturing Engineering.

• Strong project management capabilities, including planning, estimating, and coordinating cross-functional activities.

• Hands-on experience with mechanical engineering and manufacturing engineering in a product development environment.

• Proven ability to support New Product Development (NPD) and New Product Introduction (NPI) initiatives.

• Experience developing effective and efficient manufacturing plans, including detailed work instructions.

• Ability to create and execute qualification and validation protocols and plans for products and equipment.

• Demonstrated capability to design fully functioning products from concept through manufacturing readiness.

• Knowledge and application of ISO quality systems and procedures within engineering and manufacturing operations.

• Experience with Design for Manufacturing and Assembly (DFM/A) to improve product design and manufacturability.

• Strong engineering support skills for manufacturing operations, including troubleshooting and issue resolution.

• Familiarity with Lean, Six Sigma, and FOCUS methodologies for continuous improvement.

• Ability to collaborate effectively with internal teams and external customers, contractors, and development partners.

• Competence in managing Engineering Change Orders (ECOs) and associated documentation.

• Experience with test engineering activities, including developing test plans and supporting product testing.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Background in medical device or similar regulated manufacturing environments is highly beneficial.

• Experience with product development across the full lifecycle, from concept through NPI and production support.

• Understanding of manufacturing flow and process optimization in a production setting.

• Ability to provide indirect leadership and guidance to support staff and outside design contractors.

• Strong documentation skills for specifications, training materials, and quality-related records.

• Comfort working across mechanical, process, and manufacturing domains to ensure cohesive product and process design.

• Ability to support test engineers and participate in the creation and review of test plans.

• Strong communication skills to clearly convey technical information and project updates to diverse stakeholders.

Work Environment

The role operates in a manufacturing and engineering environment that focuses on new product development and introduction, including mechanical and process engineering activities. You will work closely with quality, manufacturing, and test engineering teams, as well as external contractors and development partners, using established ISO quality systems and continuous improvement methodologies such as Lean, Six Sigma, and FOCUS. The position involves both office-based engineering tasks, such as documentation and design work, and time on the manufacturing floor to support NPI, equipment installation, testing, and process validation. Collaboration, clear communication, and attention to detail are central to the work culture, with an emphasis on structured processes, high-quality standards, and efficient manufacturing flow.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Maple Grove, MN.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $80.00/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 hybrid position in Maple Grove,MN.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 9, 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 View email address on click.appcast.io 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.