Project Engineer-Manufacturing & Automation

Job Description

Project Engineer – Manufacturing & Automation

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Location: Antioch, IL

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Compensation: $80,000–$90,000 base salary plus bonus opportunity

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Industry: Aluminum Manufacturing

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About the Opportunity

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An established manufacturer is seeking a hands-on Project Engineer to improve equipment performance, expand automation, and increase efficiency in a high-volume production environment.

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This position owns projects from identifying the problem and evaluating solutions through testing, implementation, and documenting results. Approximately 90% of the role involves production-floor equipment evaluation, troubleshooting, and improvement implementation. Basic mechanical design and prototyping account for approximately 5–10%.

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The ideal candidate combines strong mechanical aptitude with the ability to work independently and collaborate with Production, Maintenance, equipment manufacturers, and outside suppliers.

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Key Responsibilities

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• Lead equipment improvement, automation, and continuous improvement projects from concept through implementation.
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• Identify opportunities to reduce manual labor, improve material flow, reduce scrap, and increase equipment reliability and productivity.
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• Improve presses and thermoforming equipment through automated part handling, stacking, and other process enhancements.
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• Evaluate and integrate sensors, vision systems, and automated quality inspection or sampling technologies.
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• Troubleshoot underperforming equipment alongside Maintenance and Production, identify root causes, and test potential solutions.
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• Develop and validate improvements through offline testing, prototyping, and production trials.
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• Evaluate machine functions and coordinate equipment modifications, upgrades, or rebuilds to improve performance.
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• Work with equipment OEMs, component suppliers, and outside integrators to evaluate and implement solutions.
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• Use CAD and, when appropriate, 3D printing to develop basic fixtures, sensor mounts, and prototype components.
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• Create or update work instructions and communicate process changes to affected teams.
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• Document project objectives, testing results, cost savings, and operational improvements; present findings to plant leadership.
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Required Qualifications

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• 2–5 years of engineering experience in a high-volume manufacturing environment, with a focus on project engineering, manufacturing engineering, process engineering, industrial engineering, capital projects, or continuous improvement.
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• Experience independently leading equipment upgrades, manufacturing efficiency initiatives, or cost savings projects through implementation.
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• Strong mechanical aptitude and an understanding of how production machinery operates.
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• Hands-on experience troubleshooting equipment and resolving production process issues.
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• Ability to gather input from operators and maintenance technicians, identify root causes, test solutions, and implement improvements.
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• Strong communication, documentation, and project coordination skills.
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• Willingness to spend most of the workday on the production floor.
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Preferred Qualifications

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• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering.
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• Experience with high-speed presses, thermoforming equipment, or packaging operations.
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• Experience with industrial automation, sensors, vision systems, automated material handling, or labor-reduction projects.
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• Working knowledge of SolidWorks or AutoCAD for basic 2D and 3D mechanical design.
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• Experience coordinating with equipment OEMs, suppliers, and outside integrators.
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• Familiarity with 3D printing, fixture design, and prototype testing.
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Scheduling Requirement

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Candidates must be comfortable with an annual PTO blackout period from September 1 through December 1.