SUMMARY
The Project Engineer leads assigned engineering and customer projects from initiation through production launch, coordinating cross-functional activities to ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and in accordance with established cost, quality, technical, and customer requirements. This position serves as a key interface among Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, suppliers, and customers. The Project Engineer is responsible for maintaining project plans, driving milestone completion, identifying and resolving risks and issues, and ensuring effective communication throughout the project lifecycle. The role requires sufficient technical knowledge to understand engineering requirements, facilitate technical discussions, and effectively coordinate product development activities.
RESPONSIBILITIES
- Lead assigned engineering and product development projects from project kickoff through design, prototype, validation, and production launch.
- Define, develop, and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, deliverables, and resource requirements.
- Lead cross-functional project teams and coordinate activities among Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and other functional groups.
- Ensure project teams remain aligned with established schedules, priorities, technical requirements, and customer commitments.
- Proactively identify project risks, resource constraints, technical issues, and schedule concerns; develop and drive corrective actions and escalate issues when appropriate.
- Prepare and verify initial project cost calculations prior to submission for approval and monitor project costs throughout the project lifecycle.
- Identify and communicate changes to project scope, cost, timing, technical requirements, or customer expectations.
- Coordinate prototype and sample builds, product testing and validation activities, and shipment of samples or prototypes to customers as required.
- Serve as a key project interface with customers, suppliers, tool makers, sales representatives, and other external partners regarding assigned projects.
- Facilitate technical discussions and engage appropriate engineering or technical resources to resolve project issues.
- Review and understand engineering drawings, specifications, product requirements, bills of material, and other technical documentation necessary to effectively manage assigned projects.
- Establish project priorities and provide direction to cross-functional team members to ensure timely execution of project activities.
- Drive project execution and accountability by following up on action items, deliverables, and commitments.
- Regularly communicate project status, milestones, risks, cost performance, and key issues to management and other stakeholders.
- Maintain accurate and timely project documentation in accordance with Cattron procedures, quality systems, and applicable customer requirements.
- Support the transition of new or modified products from Engineering into production and ensure appropriate manufacturing and operational readiness.
- Participate in project reviews, design reviews, lessons-learned activities, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Ensure compliance with applicable Cattron quality, safety, and engineering standards and procedures.
- Perform other duties and responsibilities as assigned.
REQUIREMENTS
- Strong project planning, organization, prioritization, and time-management skills.
- Demonstrated ability to lead cross-functional teams and drive accountability without direct reporting authority.
- Ability to understand technical requirements and effectively participate in engineering and product-development discussions.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
- Ability to identify project risks and develop appropriate mitigation and corrective-action plans.
- Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Supply Chain, Sales, and other functional areas.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical and project information to both technical and non-technical audiences.
- Strong customer and supplier communication skills.
- Ability to manage multiple projects and competing priorities in a fast-paced environment.
- Strong attention to detail while maintaining focus on overall project objectives and deadlines.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications and project-management tools such as Microsoft Project or equivalent.
- Experience with ERP, PLM, or similar business and engineering systems preferred.
EDUCATION / EXPERIENCE
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, Mechanical, Computer, Manufacturing, or related engineering or technical discipline preferred. Equivalent relevant education and experience may be considered.
- Two (2) to five (5) years of engineering, project engineering, product development, or related experience in a manufacturing or technical environment.
- Experience supporting or managing projects through design, prototype, testing/validation, and production launch preferred.
- Experience with manufacturing processes and new product development preferred.
- Experience working directly with customers and suppliers in a technical or project environment preferred.
- Knowledge of formal project-management principles and methodologies preferred.
- PMP or other relevant project-management certification is a plus.
KEY SUCCESS MEASURES
- Achievement of project milestones and committed launch dates.
- Effective management of project scope, cost, schedule, and technical requirements.
- Early identification and resolution of project risks and issues.
- Successful completion of prototype, testing, validation, and production-readiness activities.
- Effective coordination and communication among cross-functional project teams.
- Timely fulfillment of customer commitments and project deliverables.
- Accurate and complete project documentation.
- Effective transition of projects from development into production.
As an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer, Cattron does not discriminate in hiring or in the terms and conditions of employment because of an individual's race, color, religion, gender, national origin, age, disability, sexual orientation, marital status, veteran status, arrest record, citizenship or other categories protected by federal, state or local laws. EOE/M/F/Vet/Disability
