Mechanical Project Engineer

Project Engineer ________________________________________________________________________________ Reports to: Director of Engineering Department: Engineering ________________________________________________________________________________ Position Summary The Project Engineer is responsible for leading the design, development, validation, and launch of new products while managing cross-functional projects from concept through production. This position combines strong engineering design capabilities with project management leadership to deliver innovative, high-quality products that meet customer, regulatory, manufacturing, and business requirements. The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in mechanical product design, engineering analysis, new product development, and project leadership within a manufacturing environment. Essential Responsibilities Product Design & Development • Lead the design and development of medium to complex products from concept through production launch. • Create and review engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, test plans, and technical documentation. • Develop products such as valves, fluid handling components, electromechanical devices, automotive components, industrial equipment, or other engineered products. • Apply engineering principles to solve technical challenges involving performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost. • Conduct engineering calculations and analyses to support design decisions. • Utilize analytical tools including: o Finite Element Analysis (FEA) o Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) o Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis o Thermal Analysis o Fatigue and Stress Analysis o Design of Experiments (DOE) o Root Cause Analysis o Statistical Analysis and Validation Methods • Lead prototype development, testing, validation, and design refinement activities. • Support manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams during product launch and production. New Product Development • Lead projects through a structured New Product Development (NPD) process. • Facilitate design reviews and technical reviews throughout development. • Develop and maintain: o Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA) o Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&R) o Risk Assessments o Design for Manufacturability (DFM) o Design for Assembly (DFA) o Product Validation Plans • Ensure designs comply with applicable customer, regulatory, and industry requirements. • Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation plans. Project Management • Lead cross-functional project teams from concept through production implementation. • Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and action item lists. • Utilize project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent software. • Facilitate project meetings and communicate project status to stakeholders and leadership. • Drive accountability and timely completion of project deliverables. • Manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing priorities and resources. Cross-Functional Leadership • Collaborate with: o Manufacturing Engineering o Quality Engineering o Operations o Procurement o Suppliers o Customers o Sales and Marketing o Executive Leadership • Coordinate supplier development activities related to new product launches. • Support customer meetings, technical presentations, and product demonstrations as required. • Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across project teams. Qualifications Required • Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline. • Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in product design, product development, or manufacturing engineering. • Proven experience leading engineering projects from concept through production launch. • Strong CAD experience using SolidWorks or equivalent 3D modeling software. • Experience with engineering analysis tools including FEA and tolerance analysis. • Experience with structured New Product Development processes. • Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills. • Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities. Preferred • Experience with valves, pressure systems, fluid handling products, automotive components, or industrial products. • Experience with die cast, machined, molded, and assembled products. • Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project leadership experience. • Experience with supplier development and manufacturing launch activities. • Knowledge of ISO 9001 quality systems and design controls. Success Factors The successful candidate will demonstrate: • Strong technical design capability. • Excellent project planning and execution skills. • Effective communication and leadership. • Ability to drive projects to completion. • Strong analytical and problem-solving skills. • High sense of ownership and accountability. • Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.