Manufacturing Project Engineer

Position Overview

The Manufacturing Project Engineer supports a rare earth magnet production facility during a rapid scale-up phase within an early-stage public company. This role executes and coordinates capital and process engineering projects that enable pilot-to-commercial transition and future plant expansion. The position operates in a fast-paced, high-growth environment with significant cross-functional interaction and increasing ownership as the engineering organization scales.

Key Responsibilities

• Plan and execute manufacturing and capital projects across pilot, scale-up, and early production stages.
• Develop and manage project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Support equipment installation, commissioning, and startup activities.
• Conduct engineering reviews to support process improvements and facility expansion.
• Track project performance; identify risks, delays, and corrective actions.
• Analyze production and equipment data to support troubleshooting and continuous improvement.
• Prepare technical documentation (PFDs, P&IDs, work instructions, project reports).
• Cook up internal teams and external contractors/vendors to ensure project execution.
• Support equipment selection, specification, and procurement.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, and regulatory standards in a public-company environment.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities

• Strong understanding of manufacturing engineering and project execution in industrial environments.
• Experience in scale-up, pilot plants, or capital project delivery preferred.
• Familiarity with chemical, metallurgical, or materials processing systems a plus.
• Ability to interpret engineering drawings and process documentation.
• Strong problem-solving and analytical skills in operational settings.
• Effective communicator across engineering, operations, and vendor teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, high-growth environment.
• Proficiency with project tracking tools (e.g., MS Project, Excel).

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, Materials, Industrial, or related field).
• 2–4 years of engineering experience in manufacturing or capital project environments.
• Experience in pilot-scale, commissioning, or scale-up environments preferred.
• Exposure to metals, chemicals, or advanced materials processing preferred.

Physical Demands

• The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job.
• Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.

Work Environment

• The work environment will be an office environment, manufacturing floor, and active construction site.
• Noise level: Normal office noises, manufacturing noises, construction noises