Project Engineer

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Dechra Pharmaceuticals PLC is seeking a Project Engineer in Fort Worth, TX. You will plan, execute, and deliver capital and technical projects supporting manufacturing, packaging, utilities, and facilities in a GMP environment.

You will partner across Ops, Quality, Validation, EHS, and external contractors to drive lifecycle improvements and ensure on-time, within-budget project delivery. The ideal candidate holds an engineering degree and professional certifications (PMP, PgMP, Lean Six Sigma

Qualifications

• Cross-functional collaboration with Operations, Quality, Validation, EHS, and Maintenance.
• Strong organizational and communication skills.
• Able to lead projects and coordinate with site stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital/expense projects from concept to commissioning and handover.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, costs, URS and execution plans.
• Manage contractors, vendors, and internal resources for safe, compliant execution.
• Track progress, risks, budgets and report to stakeholders.
• Support GMP compliance, Change Controls, Deviations, CAPAs, and Quality Records.
• Coordinate equipment qualification activities (IQ/OQ/PQ) and ensure CMMS readiness.
• Oversee capital planning, upgrades, and turnover to Ops/Maintenance.
• Act as liaison between Engineering, Operations, Quality, Validation, EHS, and Maintenance.

Skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Project management

Problem solving

Communication

Education

Engineering degree or equivalent

PMP

PgMP

Lean Six Sigma Black Belt

CMRP

Job description

Job Purpose

The Project Engineer is responsible for the planning, execution, and delivery of capital and technical projects that support manufacturing, packaging, utilities, and facility operations. This role ensures projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and in compliance with GMP, safety, and regulatory requirements. The Project Engineer partners cross‑functionally with Operations, Quality, Validation, EHS, Maintenance, and external contractors to support business growth, lifecycle management, and continuous improvement initiatives in a pharmaceutical manufacturing environment.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management & Execution

• Lead capital and expense projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Develop project scopes, schedules, cost estimates, URS and execution plans.
• Manage contractors, vendors, and internal resources to ensure safe and compliant execution.
• Track project progress, risks, and budgets; communicate status to stakeholders.

GMP Compliance & Quality Systems

• Support Change Controls, Deviations, CAPAs, and Quality Records related to projects.
• Ensure project activities comply with GMP, safety, and regulatory standards.
• Support equipment qualification and validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Ensure that on the day the new equipment starts running, the PM schedules, spare parts, and SOPs are already live in the CMMS (Maintenance System).
• Validate that all vendors meet compliance standards and are active in the approved vendor list.

Capital Planning & Asset Lifecycle Management

• Support capital planning, justification, and prioritization activities.
• Coordinate equipment upgrades, replacements, and obsolescence initiatives.
• Ensure effective turnover of projects to Operations and Maintenance.

Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Act as a liaison between Engineering, Operations, Quality, Validation, EHS, and Maintenance.
• Support training, knowledge transfer, and documentation related to new systems and equipment.

Continuous Improvement

• Identify opportunities to improve safety, reliability, efficiency, and cost.
• Support Lean, TPM, automation, and digital manufacturing initiatives.
• Promote standardization and engineering best practices across the site.

Key Performance Indicators

Project Execution

• Projects delivered on time and within budget (90%)
• Contractor safety performance and compliance
• Effective project turnover and documentation completion

Operational Performance

• Reduction in project‑related downtime and disruptions
• Successful startup and performance of new equipment

Quality & Compliance

• On‑time closure of Change Controls, Deviations, and CAPAs (91%)
• Audit findings related to project execution (count/severity)

Maintenance & Reliability

• Preventive maintenance readiness at project handover (100%)
• Reduction in repeat issues related to new installations

Continuous Improvement

• Number of improvement initiatives supported
• Cost savings or avoidance achieved ($)

Our Ideal Candidate:

• Strong technical knowledge of manufacturing, packaging equipment, and utilities in a GMP‑regulated environment.
• Proven experience managing capital projects, equipment installations, and contractors.
• Solid understanding of GMP compliance, including change control, deviations, CAPAs, and equipment qualification (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Experience supporting pharmaceutical manufacturing or packaging operations.
• Engineering degree or similar degree
• PMP - Project Management Professional
• PgMP - Program Management Professional
• Lean Six Sigma Black Belt
• CMRP - Certified Maintenance & Reliability Professional

Skills and Experience:

• Effective cross‑functional collaboration with Operations, QA, Validation, EHS, and Maintenance.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem‑solving skills.
• Ability to lead individual projects while co‑ordinating with site stakeholders
• Ability to co-host meetings with PMO
• Demonstrated knowledge of GMPs and Pharma standards
• Manage vendors and ensure CAPEX are in line with company policies and standards
• Cooperating and communicating with the project manager and other project participants and collaborating with senior engineers to create more efficient project methods and to maintain the project's profitability.
• Experience in Pharmaceutical Production or support, with a exposure to Technical Transfer of Pharmaceutical products and production is desirable but not essential based on the production skills demonstrated with evidence
• Knowledge and experience of pharmaceutical manufacturing processes, process development and validation,
• Exposure to automation, equipment installations, and validation activities.
• Experience supporting manufacturing and packaging operations.
• Working knowledge of HVAC, utilities, and facility systems.