Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager

Job Description

The Project Manager will oversee complex engine manufacturing programs from order through delivery, serving as the primary point of contact for customers while coordinating engineering, operations, logistics, supply chain, and leadership teams. This role focuses on managing multiple engine and technical programs simultaneously, tracking schedules, budgets, labor hours, parts procurement, and long-lead materials to ensure customer commitments and delivery dates are consistently met. Success in this position requires strong communication skills, exceptional organization, and the ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct supervisory authority in a fast-paced, rapidly scaling environment.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple customer projects and engine programs simultaneously from initiation through delivery.

• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers, providing clear, timely status updates and managing expectations.

• Partner with customers and business development teams to fully understand project scope, requirements, and requests.

• Develop comprehensive project plans and proposals, including schedules, budgets, resource plans, and risk assessments.

• Track project schedules, budgets, labor hours, and deliverables, ensuring commitments and deadlines are met.

• Coordinate closely with engineering, manufacturing, logistics, supply chain, and vendors to keep projects on track.

• Work with multifunctional teams on bill of materials (BOM) design, labor tracking, and budget forecasting.

• Review Statements of Work (SOWs) and project requirements to ensure alignment with customer needs and internal capabilities.

• Manage long-lead materials, production schedules, and delivery timelines to minimize delays and supply chain risks.

• Identify project risks and opportunities, aid business development and engineering staff in risk analysis, and develop mitigation strategies.

• Use project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Excel, and other PM software to plan, track, and report on project progress.

• Create reports, presentations, and project updates for customers and internal stakeholders, including leadership.

• Influence engineers and operations teams without direct authority to drive decisions, gain buy-in, and maintain alignment on priorities.

• Interface with vendors for outsourced custom and commercially available parts, ensuring quality and timely delivery.

• Ensure all deliverables are executed safely, professionally, and on schedule in accordance with company standards.

• Adhere to AS9100 and ISO 9001 quality standards and regulations as administered by Quality Assurance and Quality Control.

• Collaborate with engineering department personnel to revise, implement, and adhere to company policies and procedures.

• Coordinate with engineering personnel to drive adoption of and compliance with standardized project management processes and software tools.

• Lead project meetings, remove roadblocks, and facilitate cross-functional communication to keep projects moving forward.

• Support new product development, manufacturing initiatives, and operational improvements through effective project management.

• Prepare and manage change orders and ensure proper documentation and communication of scope changes.

• Apply knowledge of business systems, including Earned Value Management, Risk and Opportunity Management, and contract management such as firm fixed price.

Essential Skills

• Proven experience in project and program management, including managing multiple projects, schedules, budgets, resources, and deliverables simultaneously.

• Strong communication skills with the ability to confidently interact with customers, answer questions, manage expectations, and provide clear status updates.

• Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority, driving decisions, gaining buy-in, and keeping cross-functional teams aligned.

• Solid understanding of manufacturing and engineering environments, including complex products, engineering workflows, BOMs, labor tracking, long-lead parts, and production schedules.

• High level of organization and ability to manage ambiguity, changing priorities, shipment delays, and multiple moving pieces in a fast-changing environment.

• Experience with Microsoft Project and project management software for planning and tracking technical programs.

• Proficiency with the Microsoft Office suite, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint, for reporting and communication.

• Knowledge of quality standards such as AS9100 and ISO 9001 and their application in an engineering and manufacturing setting.

• Understanding of business systems, including Earned Value Management, Risk and Opportunity Management, and contract management such as firm fixed price.

• Highly developed written and oral communication skills with the ability to work effectively with people at all levels within the company as well as customers and vendors.

• Background in program or project management within engineering, aerospace, aviation, military, automotive, or related technical industries.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in engineering, aerospace, aviation, military, automotive, drone, or UAV environments is highly preferred.

• Exposure to manufacturing processes, project engineering, mechanical engineering, and new product development.

• Familiarity with quality standards and regulatory frameworks such as AS9100 and ISO 9001.

• Experience with BOM management, production schedules, labor tracking, and long-lead material planning.

• Knowledge of change order processes and contract structures, including firm fixed price agreements.

• PMP certification or formal project management credentials are strongly preferred.

• MBA or advanced business education would be a plus, particularly for budget management and forecasting.

• Experience working on government contracts or in highly regulated industries is beneficial.

• Comfort using Microsoft Office and other project management tools to create reports, presentations, and project documentation.

• Ability to collaborate with other Project Managers to support the development and completion of their projects and deliverables.

Work Environment

This role operates in a fast-paced, highly collaborative engineering and manufacturing environment where you will work closely with engineers, operations, manufacturing, supply chain, logistics, business development, and leadership teams. The work centers on coordinating multiple technical and engineering projects at the same time, balancing priorities, schedules, resources, and budgets in a growing organization. You will frequently lead project meetings, provide updates to stakeholders, and work hands-on with cross-functional teams to remove roadblocks and meet deadlines. The environment emphasizes cutting-edge technology, including work on advanced aerospace, drone, UAV, and other innovative products, often tied to government contracts. You will support new product development, manufacturing initiatives, and operational improvements, with high visibility to leadership and significant accountability for project outcomes. This is an on-the-go, interactive role suited to someone who enjoys being in the middle of the action, coordinating people, solving problems, and working closely with engineers to get products out the door, rather than sitting independently behind a computer all day. The culture values collaboration, adaptability, and continuous improvement, and offers paid time off, holidays, and sick time as part of a comprehensive benefits environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mcminnville, OR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $43.00 - $58.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Mcminnville, OR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 27, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Mcminnville,OR.

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.