Mi-Jack Products- Lead Project Engineer

Essential Functions

• Lead multiple engineering projects and product development programs from concept through implementation and production release.
• Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, resource requirements, and project deliverables.
• Establish project scope, objectives, timelines, budgets, and success criteria in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Carefully coordinate activities across engineering, manufacturing, quality, sourcing, service, operations, and commercial teams.
• Maintain focus on execution and results, monitor project progress, and proactively identify schedule, resource, technical, and business risks.
• Lead project review meetings and communicate project status to engineering leadership and executive management.
• Drive accountability for project deliverables, action items, and milestone achievement.
• Facilitate technical discussions and decision-making to ensure project objectives are achieved.
• Track engineering releases, engineering change notices (ECNs), testing activities, validation programs, and production readiness milestones.
• Manage project issue logs, risk registers, mitigation plans, and escalation activities.
• Support cost management activities including project budgets, engineering labor estimates, and capital expenditures.
• Ensure project compliance with engineering standards, regulatory requirements, safety objectives, and company policies.
• Coordinate prototype builds, testing activities, validation programs, and product launch activities.
• Lead root-cause investigations and corrective action activities affecting project deliverables.
• Support customer meetings, supplier reviews, and cross-functional program reviews as required.
• Develop and present executive-level project reporting, dashboards, and performance metrics.
• Identify opportunities for process improvement, standardization, and project execution efficiency.
• Mentor project engineers and team members in project planning, execution, and reporting methodologies.
• Protect organizational value by maintaining confidentiality of proprietary information.
• Ensure compliance with all safety, health, and environmental regulations, policies, and procedures with a goal of zero incidents and injuries.
• Perform special projects and other duties as assigned.

Competencies

• Project Leadership: Leads large, cross-functional projects with minimal supervision. Establishes priorities, milestones, and deliverables to support business objectives. Drives teams toward successful project completion.
• Planning & Execution: Develops comprehensive project plans and resource strategies. Effectively manages project scope, schedules, budgets, and deliverables. Maintains focus on execution and results.
• Risk Management: Identifies technical, schedule, cost, and resource risks. Develops mitigation plans and drives timely resolution of project issues. Escalates risks appropriately to ensure project success.
• Technical Knowledge: Possesses strong understanding of engineering design, product development, manufacturing processes, and validation activities. Able to evaluate technical tradeoffs and support engineering decision-making. Understands engineering release, product lifecycle, and change management processes.
• Communication & Influence: Communicates effectively with engineers, managers, suppliers, customers, and executive leadership. Presents project status, risks, and recommendations clearly and professionally. Builds consensus and alignment across organizational boundaries.
• Organizational Effectiveness: Demonstrates exceptional planning, organizational, and time management skills. Successfully manages multiple projects simultaneously. Maintains attention to detail while focusing on overall business objectives.
• Computer Skills: Advanced proficiency with Microsoft Office applications including Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Project. Experience with project management software and reporting tools. Working knowledge of CAD systems, ERP platforms, PLM/PDM systems, and engineering change management processes.

Additional Position Information

• Travel: Up to 20%.
• Domestic and international travel as required to support project execution, supplier development, customer meetings, product launches, testing activities, and manufacturing operations.
• Relocation assistance is available for this position.
• Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.

Required Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in applicable engineering discipline from an accredited institution.
• Strong understanding of product development processes, engineering change management, testing, and production launch activities.
• 7+ years' experience in the following: Engineering, product development, or technical project leadership experience.
• Demonstrated success leading cross-functional engineering projects from initiation through implementation.
• Experience with engineering project planning, scheduling, resource management, and executive reporting.

Preferred Education & Experience

• Master's degree in Engineering, Engineering Management, or Business Administration.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Experience in material handling equipment, cranes, industrial machinery, heavy equipment, manufacturing, or related industries.
• Experience managing new product development programs and capital projects.
• Experience leading geographically dispersed or multifunctional project teams.