Senior Mechanical Project Engineer

To provide high-level, strategic Engineering and Technical direction in support of product development, major capital projects, repairs and retrofits and new equipment specifications for our associated manufacturing functions. The Sr. Mechanical Project Engineer will lead the design, creation, and execution of mechanical systems and process equipment from concept to commissioning. In this role, you will bridge technical mechanical design with end-to-end project management, driving process creation, managing third-party vendors, and overseeing capital expenditures (CapEx) to deliver high-impact manufacturing and engineering solutions.

Essential Responsibilities

Mechanical Design & Engineering

• Create detailed 3D CAD models, assemblies, and 2D manufacturing/fabrication drawings using tools like SolidWorks or AutoCAD.
• Perform engineering calculations (stress, thermal, fluid dynamics, and tolerance analysis) to validate equipment performance and safety.
• Design, specify, and optimize process equipment, material-handling systems, and mechanical sub-assemblies.
• Review vendor submittals, equipment specifications, and installation drawings for compliance.
• Assist in the product design and lead in the development of new tooling and equipment specifications for our recycling and manufacturing functions.
• Provide high-level, strategic Engineering and Technical direction to Peninsula Plastics Recycling, Inc. operational and manufacturing functions. Resolve technical issues, answer technical questions, provide expert knowledge as the SME in many areas of the business.

Process Equipment Management

• Oversee the installation, rigging, alignment, and mechanical hookup of manufacturing or industrial process equipment.
• Direct system testing, commissioning, and startup activities alongside Original Equipment Manufacturer (OEM) reps.
• Investigate equipment failures, conduct root-cause analyses, and implement process improvements to boost efficiency.

Project Management

• Define project scopes, prepare detailed cost estimates, and establish project timelines and milestones.
• Manage project budgets, track resource allocation, review contractor invoices, and handle change orders.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, external vendors, and subcontractors to ensure safe and timely project execution.
• Ensure all designs and site activities comply with local safety regulations, building codes, and industry standards
• With project management responsibilities there is a requirement to provide meaningful data analysis to support any proposed activities and actions.

Project Management & Process Creation

• Lead full project lifecycles, establishing project scopes, detailed timelines, resource allocations, and milestone tracking.
• Develop, standardize, and implement new engineering and operational processes to improve plant or manufacturing efficiency.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (electrical, automation, safety, and operations) during installation, testing, and commissioning phases.
• Provide hands-on operational support and project management for our major capital projects, repairs, and retrofits throughout the plant. These are multi-million-dollar projects that must be managed over an extended time-period.
• Build strong technical and business relationships with other technical SME’s and the maintenance function to provide focused resources to our operations.

Vendor & Capital Management

• Manage the complete vendor lifecycle, including sourcing, technical evaluations, bid leveling, and contract negotiations.
• Review vendor drawings, oversee fabrication quality, and track on-time delivery of third-party equipment.
• Own capital budget planning, cost control, forecasting, and ROI analysis for capital expenditure (CapEx) projects
• Work with and support our third-party suppliers and consultants who are engaged in activities to retrofit our equipment.

Other

• It is the responsibility of every employee, including temp workers, to immediately report to Management the discovery of contamination in any area of the production facility that constitutes a risk to product and/or personnel safety.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME), Chemical Engineering or related technical disciple. .
• 5- 10 years in similar complex high-technology manufacturing organizations.
• Food packaging experience with PET products.
• Experience in managing projects and product launches. Project management certification is a big plus.
• Strong analytical and data management skills.
• Six sigma and LEAN engineering experience also highly valued
• Understanding of manufacturing and quality standards, including FDA regulations and ISO quality system.
• Technical Skills:
• Proficiency in CAD software (SolidWorks, Creo, or AutoCAD).
• Strong knowledge of mechanical components, fabrication methods, and GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing) and mechanical design.
• Familiarity with industrial manufacturing processes and safety codes (OSHA, ASME, ANSI).
• Project Management Skills: Demonstrated ability to manage project schedules, budgets, and contractor teams. Strong communication and technical writing skills

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities

• Ability to present the “big picture,” to move quickly in response to issues and to work within cross-functional teams.
• Support product development projects by conducting tooling feasibility analysis, cost analysis, and production equipment configuration proposals.
• Lead tooling development projects and manage vendors through all project phases of ideation, prototyping, tool manufacturing, tooling and equipment validation, and production launch in accordance with product design, functionality, performance and quality criteria.
• Capability to effectively work at all levels of management and to clearly present information and respond to questions groups of managers, peers, vendors and customers.
• Lead efforts to improve performance and resolve quality, and tooling/equipment reliability issues by rigorously applying methodical problem-solving techniques to contain the problem, identify root causes, and implement sustainable corrective actions.
• Assure corporate policies, procedures, and standards are followed by yourself and by contractors working for you.
• Maintain technical expertise in codes, procedures and selection and application of equipment and process technology through individual effort and ongoing training.
• Technical knowledge of equipment and facilities maintenance systems as well as calibration standards, tooling processes and documentation control systems in a regulated manufacturing environment.
• Excellent at identifying and troubleshooting production problems and leading preventive or corrective action.
• Highly skilled at software collection and data analysis
• The ability to take complex engineering data and recommendations and translate into easy-to-understand process controls and instructions for the operations staff.
• Team player, strong collaboration skills, ability to build relationships at all levels.

Pay: $90,000.00 - $120,000.00 per year

Benefits:

• 401(k)
• 401(k) matching
• Dental insurance
• Employee assistance program
• Health insurance
• Life insurance
• Paid time off
• Retirement plan
• Vision insurance

Work Location: In person