Lead Project Engineer: Major Manufacturing Projects

Avantor; Carpinteria (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Process Engineer (Project Engineer) to lead engineering projects and provide technical expertise across complex assignments. This role applies advanced knowledge of engineering principles, project management practices, and regulatory requirements to deliver projects from concept through completion.

The Project Engineer manages medium- to large-scale initiatives, ensuring safety, schedule, budget, quality, and compliance.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related technical discipline.
• 5-8+ years of engineering and project management experience in a manufacturing, industrial, pharmaceutical, or related environment.
• Experience managing engineering projects from conception through completion.
• Experience with contractors, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• PE/EIT or PMP certification preferred.
• Experience with capital projects, facility improvements, process systems, and equipment installations.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and drive engineering projects and major project phases to meet objectives, schedules, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Manage multiple project assignments simultaneously across technical and business needs.
• Analyze challenges, evaluate alternatives, and recommend cost-effective solutions.
• Support budgeting, cost evaluations, forecasting, and financial tracking.
• Monitor progress, identify issues, and propose corrective actions.
• Serve as technical resource and SME to project teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with contractors, vendors, consultants, and subcontractors for project execution.
• Review designs, calculations, specs, and drawings for accuracy and compliance.
• Participate in risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution.
• Ensure compliance with safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory standards.
• Prepare project updates, analyses, schedules, and recommendations for leadership.
• Assist with contractor management, including invoices and expenditure approvals.
• Provide technical guidance during planning, construction, startup, commissioning, and validation.
• Develop and maintain P&IDs using AutoCAD; create layouts and construction drawings.
• Develop 3D models and equipment designs using SOLIDWORKS; produce 2D/3D drawings for fabrication.
• Maintain project schedules using Microsoft Project and provide forecasts.
• Share knowledge and mentor Project Engineers and team members.
• Contribute to process improvements in project management and engineering.
• Build cross-functional relationships to align stakeholders and objectives.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering excellence.

Skills

Project management

Engineering principles

Leadership

AutoCAD

SOLIDWORKS

Microsoft Project

Regulated environments

Vendor collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

SOLIDWORKS

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

Avantor is seeking a Process Engineer (Project Engineer) to lead engineering projects and provide technical expertise across complex assignments. This role applies advanced knowledge of engineering principles, project management practices, and regulatory requirements to deliver projects from concept through completion.

The Project Engineer manages medium- to large-scale initiatives, ensuring safety, schedule, budget, quality, and compliance.