Hybrid Project Manager – New Product Development

Sterling Engineering; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 145,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid schedule

Full medical, dental and vision and生命保

Job summary

Sterling Engineering is seeking a Hybrid Project Manager for New Product Development in Chicago, IL. The role leads cross-functional hardware and software initiatives, directing project teams and managing budgets to meet objectives, timelines, and performance goals.

You will drive planning, execution, and stakeholder communication, applying Lean principles to optimize processes and ensure successful product launches.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Technology, Engineering, or related field.
• PMP certification.
• 4+ years of project management experience in hardware and software within a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lead technical discussions and cross-functional teams.
• Experience with MS Project and managing budgets.
• Strong financial acumen and analytical skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management for hardware and software product development initiatives.
• Translate customer and market needs into defined product requirements and plans.
• Develop detailed schedules, budgets, resources, milestones, and quality gates.
• Assemble and lead multidisciplinary project teams with internal and external partners.
• Manage project financials, forecast costs, and budgets accountability.
• Facilitate meetings, risk assessments, and stakeholder discussions.
• Identify risks, mitigation plans, and address obstacles to delivery.
• Track performance against KPIs, timelines and customer expectations.
• Communicate status, risks, and financial updates to stakeholders.
• Apply Lean PM and product development methods to improve execution.

Skills

Project management

Budget management

Cross-functional leadership

Lean project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in PM/Engineering or related field

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Project Professional

Job description

Title: Hybrid Project Manager - New Product Development
Location: Chicago, IL
Position Type: Full-Time Hybrid (3 days in office per week)
Schedule: Monday-Friday, 8:00 AM-5:00 PM
Salary: $120,000 - $145,000 per year plus annual incentive plan (AIP) and ESOP participation

Compensation & Benefits

• Hybrid schedule
• Full medical, dental and vision and life insurance coverage
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) with 3% of salary in company stock
• Paid 7-10 day shutdown in December each year
• Matching 401k up to 6%
• Flexible PTO, 10 paid holidays, 5 sick days

In this role, you'll lead complex, cross-functional new product development initiatives from initial planning through execution and launch. You'll have the authority to direct multidisciplinary project teams, manage budgets and resources, guide technical discussions, and ensure projects meet their objectives, timelines, and organizational performance goals.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end project management activities for hardware and software product development initiatives, including associated manufacturing processes.
• Translate customer and market needs into defined product requirements, project scope, deliverables, and execution plans.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules, Work Breakdown Structures (WBS), budgets, resource plans, milestones, and quality gates.
• Assemble and lead multidisciplinary project teams, coordinating internal subject matter experts and external partners as needed.
• Manage project financials, forecast costs, develop financial justifications, and maintain accountability for project budgets.
• Facilitate project meetings, planning sessions, risk assessments, and stakeholder discussions to maintain alignment and drive execution.
• Identify project risks, develop mitigation and contingency plans, and proactively address obstacles that could impact delivery.
• Track project performance against established KPIs, timelines, budgets, and customer expectations.
• Communicate project status, risks, schedule changes, and financial updates to customers, leadership, project teams, and external partners.
• Apply Lean Project Management and Product Development methodologies to improve project execution and organizational effectiveness.

Required Qualifications

• Must have a Bachelor's degree in Project Management, Technology, Engineering, a related field, or equivalent experience.
• Must have a Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
• Must have 4+ years of project management experience supporting hardware and software development within a manufacturing environment.
• Strong understanding of products and engineering principles, with the ability to lead technical discussions.
• Demonstrated experience managing complex project portfolios and delivering challenging product development initiatives.
• Proficiency with project management tools, including Microsoft Project Professional.
• Experience developing detailed project plans, defining scope, establishing schedules, managing milestones, and overseeing project budgets.
• Strong financial acumen, analytical capabilities, and business judgment.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer and consider all qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local law.