Project Engineer

Basic Purpose

This position is responsible for the planning, execution, and management of capital programs and engineering projects at the Erie plant. The role oversees projects from concept through completion, ensuring delivery of project objectives related to scope, budget, timeline, quality, safety, and operational performance. Responsibilities include development and management of capital expenditure (CAPEX) plans and budgets, leadership of cross-functional project teams, procurement of equipment and services, project governance, and support of new product and process introductions. This position requires a combination of technical expertise, strategic planning, project management leadership, financial acumen, and effective stakeholder collaboration.

Principal Accountabilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to plan and execute capital and engineering projects from concept through completion, ensuring achievement of project objectives related to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety.
• Develop project charters, specifications, scopes of work, capital appropriation requests (CARs), business cases, resource plans, and other documentation required for project approval and execution.
• Manage capital and expense budgets, including development of annual capital plans, monitoring expenditures, and ensuring projects are completed within approved funding levels.
• Coordinate activities among internal stakeholders, contractors, vendors, consultants, and equipment suppliers to ensure effective project execution and timely delivery of project milestones.
• Identify and mitigate project risks, technical challenges, resource constraints, and schedule issues by implementing corrective actions and driving resolution of obstacles to project success.
• Develop, implement, and maintain project management and governance processes that support Accuride's APQP requirements and ensure accountability, visibility, and successful implementation of new products, processes, and manufacturing technologies.
• Monitor project execution and site activities to ensure compliance with engineering standards, quality requirements, environmental regulations, and health and safety requirements.
• Provide regular project status updates, performance metrics, budget reporting, risk assessments, and executive summaries to plant leadership and key stakeholders; facilitate project review meetings as required.
• Maintain accurate project documentation, including schedules, budgets, contracts, approvals, change management records, and project files.
• Partner with regulatory agencies and governing bodies to obtain permits, approvals, and certifications required for project execution.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that enhance project execution, improve cross-functional collaboration, increase efficiency, and support operational excellence.
• Maintain current knowledge of manufacturing technologies, engineering practices, project management methodologies, and industry best practices to support organizational objectives.

Required Skills, Education, and Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical or Mechanical preferred); Master's degree and/or PMP certification preferred.
• Five to ten years of progressive experience in project engineering, capital project management, or program management within a manufacturing environment, with a demonstrated track record of successfully leading capital projects from concept through implementation.
• Strong project management and leadership skills, including strategic and operational planning, management of multiple concurrent projects, coordination of internal and external resources, and delivery of projects within established scope, schedule, and budget requirements.
• Comprehensive knowledge of manufacturing operations, engineering processes, industrial equipment, facility systems, maintenance practices, quality systems, and related technologies.
• Experience developing Capital Appropriations Requests (CARs), business cases, and managing capital and expense budgets.
• Working knowledge of applicable environmental, health and safety regulations, engineering standards, and regulatory compliance requirements.
• Proficiency with project management software, engineering design applications, Microsoft Office Suite, and other business systems.
• Strong analytical, organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to prioritize responsibilities and manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Excellent written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to effectively collaborate with employees, customers, suppliers, contractors, and stakeholders at all organizational levels.
• Demonstrated commitment to teamwork, employee involvement, continuous improvement, and achieving results through cross-functional leadership.