Project Engineer

Job Title: Project Engineer

Job Description

The Project Engineer leads new product development and launch activities from concept through production readiness within an automotive and precision manufacturing environment. This role manages technical projects, coordinates cross-functional teams, and ensures that products and processes meet performance, quality, and cost targets. The position combines hands-on engineering, structured project management, and close collaboration with customers, suppliers, and internal stakeholders to deliver successful programs.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development and launch activities from initial concept through production readiness.

• Manage project timelines, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination to ensure successful program execution.

• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions for new and existing programs.

• Coordinate and support engineering changes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.

• Lead design reviews, feasibility studies, and manufacturability evaluations to ensure robust product and process designs.

• Plan and execute Design of Experiments (DOE) activities to optimize product and process performance.

• Coordinate prototype development using 3D printing, rapid tooling, machining, and related methods.

• Support tooling design activities and collaborate with internal and external partners on tooling requirements.

• Support tooling tryouts, process validation, and production launch activities for molding and stamping operations.

• Drive value engineering efforts, product improvements, and cost-reduction initiatives across programs.

• Prepare technical evaluations, feasibility assessments, and cost analyses for new and existing programs.

• Collaborate with suppliers and vendors on tooling, materials, automation, testing, and equipment requirements.

• Support development of automotive injection molded components, over-molded parts, insert-molded parts, lamination stack components, and lead frame components for electrical applications.

• Provide technical support to customers, sales, quality, and manufacturing teams throughout the product lifecycle.

• Build and maintain strong working relationships with automotive OEMs, Tier suppliers, and key customers.

• Work with production teams to coordinate the launch of new business and ensure smooth transition into manufacturing.

• Perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components to verify performance and quality.

• Visually inspect parts, tooling, drawings, and product features, including identifying defects and dimensional variations.

• Travel to customer, supplier, and manufacturing locations as required to support project and launch activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred.

• Experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, or project engineering within an automotive or precision manufacturing environment.

• Knowledge of injection molding processes and tooling for automotive and precision components.

• Knowledge of metal stamping processes and associated tooling.

• Experience with manufacturing process validation, including tooling tryouts and production launch support.

• Experience with Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) and Production Part Approval Process (PPAP).

• Experience with Design of Experiments (DOE) and continuous improvement methodologies.

• Strong project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively with cross-functional teams, customers, and suppliers.

• Demonstrated cross-functional leadership skills and the ability to coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain.

• Ability to perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components.

• Ability to visually inspect parts, tooling, drawings, and product features, including identifying defects and dimensional variations.

• Ability to travel to customer, supplier, and manufacturing locations as required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience supporting electric motor applications or precision-engineered component applications.

• Experience with automotive industry standards and practices.

• Experience in metal stamping and motor component manufacturing.

• Familiarity with value engineering and cost-reduction initiatives.

• Experience coordinating prototype development using 3D printing, rapid tooling, and machining.

• Ability to build strong working relationships with automotive OEMs, Tier suppliers, and key customers.

• Strong analytical skills for preparing technical evaluations, feasibility assessments, and cost analyses.

Work Environment

The role operates in both office and manufacturing environments, providing exposure to design activities, production floors, and tooling and equipment evaluations. The position requires the ability to perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components in a plant setting. The work may involve occasionally lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds and conducting detailed visual inspections of parts, tooling, drawings, and product features to identify defects and dimensional variations. Travel to customer, supplier, and manufacturing locations is required as needed to support development, validation, and launch activities. The environment is fast-paced and project-driven, with close collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, quality, and supply chain teams.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kenosha, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.07 - $57.69/hr.

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 Kenosha,WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 27, 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.