NPD Electrical Project Manager

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

Benefits offered by this job

AIP

ESOP

Insurance

Stock ownership

Shutdown benefits

Job summary

Sterling Engineering in Chicago, IL, is seeking a results-driven project manager to lead cross-functional hardware and software product development initiatives. The role requires directing multidisciplinary teams, managing budgets, and ensuring schedules and quality gates are met in a manufacturing environment.

You will translate market needs into solid requirements, develop detailed project plans (WBS, milestones, budgets) and drive execution with Lean practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in PM, technology, engineering, or related field.
• PMP certification required.
• 4+ years of hardware/software development PM experience in a manufacturing environment.
• Ability to lead technical discussions.
• Experience managing complex project portfolios and budgets.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end hardware and software product development projects, including manufacturing processes.
• Translate customer and market needs into defined requirements, scope, deliverables, and plans.
• Develop detailed project schedules, WBS, budgets, resource plans, milestones, and quality gates.
• Assemble and lead multidisciplinary teams with internal and external partners as needed.
• Manage project budgets, forecast costs, and justify expenditures.
• Facilitate risk assessments and stakeholder discussions to maintain alignment and drive execution.
• Track project performance against KPIs, timelines, budgets, and customer expectations.
• Communicate project status, risks, and schedule changes to customers, leadership, teams, and partners.
• Apply Lean Project Management and Product Development methodologies to improve execution.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Budgeting

Risk management

Financial acumen

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in PM/Engineering/Technology

Tools

Microsoft Project Professional

Job description

Location: Chicago, IL 60626 (near Evanston, 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

• 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%

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.