Project Engineer Manager

SmartHire by SEEK; Kulai; On-site; MYR 180,000 - 300,000; Full time

Job summary

SmartHire by SEEK on behalf of a client is seeking a Project Engineering Manager to own complex cross-functional projects from initiation through to successful mass production launch.

You will drive NPI activities, review technical requirements, coordinate prototype, tooling and pilot runs, and ensure a smooth handover to mass production with a focus on manufacturability and quality compliance.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree required.
• Proven project management experience in manufacturing.
• Strong technical knowledge in product design, tooling, and assembly.
• Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans and MSA.
• Cross-functional leadership and stakeholder engagement.
• Analytical problem-solving and data-driven approach.

Responsibilities

• Lead projects end-to-end from initiation to mass production with plans, milestones and deliverables.
• Drive NPI from customer requirements to production launch and handover.
• Ensure manufacturability and resolve engineering challenges.
• Coordinate with customers and suppliers on technical matters and progress.
• Monitor costs, tooling, equipment and materials to stay within budgets.
• Develop and mentor the project engineering team.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Engineering depth

Quality systems

Education

Engineering degree

Job description

Our client is seeking a Project Engineering Manager to join their team!

This is a compelling opportunity for a seasoned engineering leader ready to take full ownership of complex, cross-functional projects from initiation through to successful mass production launch. Spanning project management, new product introduction, technical engineering, customer engagement, cost control, quality compliance, and team development, this role offers exceptional breadth and impact for a professional who thrives at the intersection of strategy and execution. If you are a technically strong, people-first leader with a passion for delivering results and building high-performing engineering teams, this is a role that will challenge and reward you in equal measure.

What you'll be doing?

Project Management

• Leading projects end-to-end: Manage engineering projects from initiation through to mass production, developing comprehensive project plans, timelines, milestones, and deliverables while ensuring all projects remain on schedule.
• Managing risks and corrective actions: Proactively identify project risks, issues, and delays and implement timely corrective actions to keep projects on track and within scope.
• Coordinating cross-functional teams: Bring together Engineering, Quality, Production, Tooling, Purchasing, Planning, Supply Chain, and Customer Service teams to ensure aligned and efficient project execution.
• Reporting and documentation: Conduct regular project meetings, provide management with clear project status updates, and maintain accurate project documentation and records throughout the project lifecycle.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

• Leading NPI activities: Drive all new product introduction activities from initial customer requirements through prototype development, tooling, trial production, and full production launch.
• Reviewing technical requirements: Evaluate customer drawings, specifications, BOMs, and technical requirements, coordinating feasibility studies and providing well-considered technical recommendations.
• Ensuring seamless transition to production: Coordinate prototype builds, engineering trials, and pilot runs, ensuring a smooth and well-prepared handover from project development to mass production.

Engineering and Technical Management

• Ensuring manufacturability: Review product and process requirements to confirm manufacturability and provide practical technical solutions to product, tooling, process, and manufacturing challenges.
• Managing engineering documentation: Review and approve engineering documents, drawings, specifications, and technical reports to uphold accuracy and compliance with requirements.
• Leading root cause analysis: Apply structured technical problem-solving and root cause analysis methodologies to resolve engineering issues quickly and effectively.

Customer and Supplier Coordination

• Serving as the key customer contact: Act as the primary engineering liaison for customers throughout the project development phase, attending technical meetings and clarifying requirements and expectations with clarity and confidence.
• Managing supplier relationships: Coordinate with suppliers on tooling, equipment, materials, and engineering activities, monitoring their progress and ensuring all deliverables meet project requirements.
• Supporting audits and reviews: Assist with customer audits, technical reviews, and all project-related activities that require engineering input and expertise.

Cost and Budget Control

• Monitoring project expenditure: Keep a close watch on project costs to ensure spending remains within approved budgets, reviewing tooling, equipment, material, and engineering costs throughout the project.
• Supporting cost optimisation: Identify opportunities to reduce project and manufacturing costs without compromising on quality, and support quotation and cost estimation activities as required.

Quality and Compliance

• Upholding quality standards: Ensure all project activities comply with company procedures, quality requirements, and applicable industry standards, working closely with Quality Engineering to achieve customer quality targets.
• Supporting APQP and PPAP activities: Drive quality deliverables including APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, MSA, and other applicable requirements to ensure products meet specifications before production release.
• Promoting continuous improvement: Participate actively in corrective and preventive action activities and champion a culture of defect prevention and continuous improvement across the project team.

Production Launch and Process Readiness

• Coordinating production trials: Manage pre-production activities and trial runs, ensuring that tooling, equipment, materials, processes, and manpower are fully prepared before production launch.
• Stabilising manufacturing processes: Monitor pilot production performance, resolve technical issues affecting readiness, and support production ramp-up to ensure a stable and efficient manufacturing process from day one.

Team Leadership

• Developing the project engineering team: Lead, coach, and develop Project Engineers and team members, assigning responsibilities clearly, monitoring individual performance, and providing meaningful technical guidance and support.
• Building a high-performance culture: Promote teamwork, accountability, and effective communication across the team, identify training and development needs, and conduct constructive performance evaluations that inspire growth.

Who are they looking for?

• Engineering background: A Degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline provides the foundation required to lead complex product development and manufacturing projects effectively.
• Project management experience: Demonstrated experience managing engineering projects through the full lifecycle — from NPI through to mass production — within a manufacturing environment.
• Technical depth: Strong technical knowledge across product design, tooling, moulding, stamping, plating, or assembly processes, with the ability to provide credible solutions to complex engineering challenges.
• Quality systems knowledge: Familiarity with APQP, PPAP, FMEA, Control Plans, and MSA is essential for ensuring project deliverables meet customer quality requirements.
• Cross-functional leadership: Proven ability to coordinate and lead cross-functional teams with clarity, accountability, and a collaborative approach that drives results.
• Customer and supplier engagement: Confidence in engaging with customers and suppliers on technical matters, with strong communication skills that build trust and clarity across all stakeholders.
• Analytical and problem-solving ability: A structured, data-driven approach to identifying issues, conducting root cause analysis, and implementing effective corrective and preventive actions.

We welcome applications from all individuals who are passionate about engineering excellence and ready to lead meaningful projects that make a real difference in manufacturing outcomes.

All information received will be kept strictly confidential and will be used only for employment-related purposes.