Project Engineer

Sanmina Corporation; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 65,000 - 85,000; Full time

Job summary

Sanmina Corporation in Houston, TX seeks an entry-level to early-career Project Engineer to manage plant expansion initiatives, coordinate manufacturing projects, and optimize floor operations. You will translate engineering drawings, track timelines, and analyze data to drive efficiency.

The role blends project management with hands-on analytics, requiring exposure to ERP/Oracle or SAP, MES, and strong Lean mindset. Bachelor's in engineering and 0–3 years preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in a related engineering field.
• 0–3 years of experience in manufacturing or industrial environments (internships or capstone projects accepted).
• Exposure to ERP systems (Oracle/SAP), CAD drafting software, Visio, and MS Excel/PowerPoint.

Responsibilities

• Lead plant expansion by coordinating vendor deliveries, site contractors, and utility readiness.
• Maintain master project timelines using tools like MS Project to meet expansion goals.
• Act as primary technical liaison between OEMs, equipment suppliers, design engineers, and plant management.
• Conduct time studies to inform standard labor and machine-rate costing on the floor.
• Track material waste, scrap, and production losses; perform root-cause investigations on variances.

Skills

Lean manufacturing

Root cause analysis

Process optimization

Clear communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related field

Tools

ERP systems (Oracle/SAP)

CAD drafting software

Visio

MS Excel

MS PowerPoint

Job description

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Category (For Job Seekers)

Location

13081 - EMS Houston USA - US (Primary)

Job Description

Sanmina Corporation (Nasdaq: SANM) is a leading integrated manufacturing solutions provider serving the fastest-growing segments of the global Electronics Manufacturing Services (EMS) market. Recognized as a technology leader, Sanmina Corporation provides end-to-end manufacturing solutions, delivering superior quality and support to Original Equipment Manufacturers (OEMs) primarily in the communications networks, defense and aerospace, industrial and semiconductor systems, medical, multimedia, computing and storage, automotive and clean technology sectors. Sanmina Corporation has facilities strategically located in key regions throughout the world.

Job Purpose:

We are seeking an entry-level to early-career Project Engineer to manage plant expansion initiatives, coordinate complex manufacturing projects, and optimize floor operations. This role bridges high-level project management and hands-on industrial analytics. You will coordinate equipment setups, track project timelines, translate engineering drawings into actionable workflows, and analyze floor data (costing, downtime, and material waste) to drive efficiency.

Nature of Duties:

• Equipment Installations: Serve as the hands‑on project point for plant facility growth. Direct vendor deliveries, schedule site contractors, and verify that all necessary utility hookups (e.g., electrical lines, compressed air) are ready before equipment arrives.
• Milestone & Schedule Tracking: Maintain master project timelines using tools like MS Project to keep expansion goals, vendor commitments, and delivery dates on schedule.
• Cross-Functional Liaison: Act as the primary technical point of contact bridging communication between external OEMs, equipment suppliers, design engineers, and internal plant management.
• Time Studies & Labor Costing: Spend active time on the floor conducting cycle‑time studies across assembly steps to supply accounting teams with data for standard labor and machine rates.
• Material Waste & Variance Analysis: Track scrap rates, rework hours, and production line losses through data tools. Perform root‑cause investigations on financial variances to capture lost floor profitability.
• Capacity & Downtime Tracking: Monitor equipment utilization metrics using Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP/Oracle) and Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES). Categorize and mitigate system downtime drivers like setup delays or parts shortages.
• Quality & Compliance Oversight: Ensure shop‑floor fabrication aligns with testing standards, factory acceptance testing, and client quality audits.
• Management Presentations: Analyze floor metrics, project updates, and capacity variances to design visual status presentations using Excel and PowerPoint for plant leadership and clients.
• Requests for Quotation (RFQs): Review incoming end‑customer specifications and technical inquiries to scope requirements, evaluate feasibility, and estimate cost structures.
• Pricing & Cost Estimation: Leverage BOMs, shop routings, time‑study cycle metrics, and labor/material rates to generate accurate pricing models for customer quotes.
• Lead-Time Projection: Collaborate with floor managers, procurement teams, and supply chain partners to calculate realistic production schedules and provide firm lead‑time estimates for customer proposals

Education and Experience:

• Education: Bachelor’s Degree in Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related technical field.
• Experience: 0–3 years of experience in a manufacturing, heavy assembly, or industrial environment (internship or capstone project experience accepted).
• Software Tools: Exposure to ERP systems (Oracle/SAP), CAD drafting software, process mapping tools (Visio), and MS Excel/PowerPoint.
• Core Skills: Solid understanding of Lean manufacturing, root cause analysis, process optimization, and clear communication across floor operators and management teams.

Sanmina is an Equal Opportunity Employer