Project Manager

Project Manager – New Product Development (NPD)

Location: Buffalo Grove, IL

Salary: $130,000–$140,000 Base + 15% Bonus

Hire Type: Direct Hire | Full-Time

Travel: Approximately 15%

About the Opportunity

Sterling Engineering is partnering with a leading manufacturer in the transportation industry to hire an experienced Project Manager – New Product Development (NPD).

This position will lead complex new product development and customized engineering projects from concept through manufacturing launch. The ideal candidate has a strong manufacturing background, proven project management experience, and the ability to drive cross-functional teams, manage competing priorities, and successfully deliver projects on time and within budget.

This is a true project management role requiring someone who can take ownership, navigate challenges, and keep projects moving forward without direct authority over team members.

What You'll Do

• Manage 3–5 concurrent NPD and customer-driven engineering projects, ranging from six-month initiatives to multi-year programs.
• Lead projects from initial concept and design through validation, manufacturing implementation, and post-launch support.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Sales, Quality, Finance, and customers.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and deliverables.
• Utilize project management tools, including work breakdown structures (WBS), risk matrices, RACI charts, and project timelines.
• Identify project risks, resolve roadblocks, and implement corrective actions to maintain project progress.
• Facilitate project meetings, communicate status updates, and present to leadership and customers.
• Manage scope changes, customer expectations, and challenging project situations.
• Support NPD Stage-Gate processes, APQP, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to improve project management processes, tools, and execution.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's degree required; engineering degree preferred.
• 8+ years of project management experience, ideally within manufacturing or engineering environments.
• Hands-on experience managing new product development projects from concept through production launch.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes and cross-functional engineering projects.
• Proven ability to manage multiple projects, budgets, schedules, risks, and resources simultaneously.
• Experience leading and motivating teams without direct reporting authority.
• Strong problem-solving skills and ability to navigate project roadblocks and difficult customer conversations.
• Experience with NPD Stage-Gate processes and APQP.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project or Smartsheet, Excel, and PowerPoint.
• Strong communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• PMP certification or Master's degree is a plus, but not required.

Why Consider This Opportunity?

• Lead innovative new product development projects within an established manufacturing organization.
• Work closely with Engineering leadership and cross-functional teams.
• Manage technically challenging projects involving advanced transportation and industrial technologies.
• Competitive compensation with a 15% bonus opportunity.
• Opportunity to influence project execution, improve processes, and drive successful product launches.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.