Manufacturing Plant Project Engineer

Location: Sheboygan, WI
Job Type: Full-Time
Work Arrangement: On-Site
Travel: As needed for project milestones

About the Opportunity

A well-established manufacturing company in Sheboygan, Wisconsin, is seeking an experienced Manufacturing Plant Project Engineer to lead plant-level capital, facility, and manufacturing improvement projects from concept through implementation and final closeout.

This role will manage all aspects of assigned engineering projects, including scope development, budgeting, capital expenditure management, scheduling, contractor coordination, equipment design and installation, commissioning, and project documentation.

The ideal candidate will have strong project management and engineering experience within a manufacturing environment and the ability to develop practical solutions that improve safety, quality, productivity, reliability, and operational efficiency.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead plant-level capital, facility, maintenance, and manufacturing improvement projects from concept development through final implementation and project closeout.

• Develop project scopes, objectives, timelines, budgets, resource requirements, and execution plans.

• Manage capital expenditures and maintain project costs within approved budgets.

• Coordinate contractors, vendors, suppliers, engineering resources, and internal plant teams.

• Ensure project engineering designs comply with applicable local, state, and federal codes, standards, regulations, and safety requirements.

• Provide technical engineering evaluation and verification for steam, natural gas, potable water, liquid propane, chilled water, and compressed air systems.

• Develop engineered solutions and perform root-cause analysis for complex manufacturing and support equipment issues.

• Identify and implement new technologies, equipment, and manufacturing methods to improve productivity, quality, safety, reliability, and cost performance.

• Prioritize multiple project schedules, deliverables, and competing priorities through effective communication and collaboration.

• Work closely with corporate engineering and plant maintenance teams when required.

• Analyze project and maintenance costs and develop cost-reduction opportunities for capital improvements and maintenance initiatives.

• Identify required project resources and prepare business justifications for senior management approval.

• Manage project milestones and monitor performance to ensure contractual, cost, quality, and schedule objectives are achieved.

• Provide project status updates, capital spending reports, and milestone reviews to plant leadership and key stakeholders.

• Develop and maintain complete project documentation, including:

  • Equipment manuals

  • SOPs

  • Training materials

  • Electrical and mechanical drawings

  • Spare parts lists

  • Validation records

  • Project closeout documentation

• Provide technical support to plant and facility teams as needed.

• Perform other engineering and project-related duties as required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related field.

• Minimum of 5 years of relevant engineering or manufacturing experience.

• Experience managing engineering, capital improvement, or manufacturing projects.

• 3+ years of supervisory or team leadership experience preferred.

• Prior experience in project management or engineering services leadership preferred.

• Experience working with or supporting custom manufacturing equipment.

• Experience in a manufacturing plant or industrial environment strongly preferred.

• AutoCAD experience preferred.

• Ability to travel as needed for project milestones.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong creative and analytical problem-solving skills with the ability to address complex manufacturing challenges.

• Practical engineering judgment and data-driven problem-solving capabilities.

• Strong project management and organizational skills.

• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously in a fast-paced manufacturing environment.

• Strong understanding of project budgeting, scheduling, capital expenditures, and resource management.

• Ability to interpret technical proposals, engineering reports, drawings, and specifications.

• Strong communication and presentation skills.

• Ability to communicate effectively with employees, contractors, vendors, suppliers, and senior leadership.

• Strong contractor, vendor, and external engineering resource management skills.

• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and influence stakeholders at various levels.

• Strong ownership and accountability for project results.

• Excellent leadership and people-management skills.

• Ability to motivate, guide, and direct diverse teams to achieve project objectives.

• Proficiency with PC-based systems, engineering software, databases, and other applicable technical systems.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to safety, quality, and operational excellence.

Compensation

Salary: Competitive and based on experience and qualifications.