Project Engineer

VRC Engineered Solutions; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 95,000; Full time

Job summary

VRC Engineered Solutions seeks a Project Engineer to bridge customers, sales, manufacturing, and vendors from concept to production launch. You will combine technical cost estimation and quoting with hands-on NPD project management, guiding programs through successful production.

The role requires knowledge of injection molding, tooling design, and DFM, plus project management to keep programs on track and deliver results.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics/Polymer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent technical manufacturing experience
• 3–5+ years of engineering experience within plastic or rubber injection molding, tooling, or manufacturing environments
• Experience managing customer programs from concept through launch
• Strong understanding of molding processes, tooling design, and materials
• Experience reviewing and interpreting engineering drawings and 3D CAD models
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Responsibilities

• Review customer CAD models, drawings, and specifications for manufacturability and project feasibility
• Conduct DFM reviews and recommend design, tooling, and material improvements
• Develop mold concepts, tooling quotations, and manufacturing cost estimates
• Support customer discussions and quoting activities with technical expertise
• Lead projects from award through production launch
• Manage project timelines, budgets, deliverables, and customer expectations
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Tooling, Manufacturing, Quality, and Purchasing
• Oversee tooling fabrication, mold trials, sample submissions, and launch activities
• Lead APQP requirements, including FMEA, PPAP, and process validation
• Monitor project progress, mitigate risks, and ensure successful production implementation

Skills

Project management

Communication

Organizational skills

Problem solving

3D CAD interpretation

Mold design understanding

Education

Bachelor's in Mechanical Eng / Plastics / Polymer / IE

Tools

SolidWorks

Autodesk Inventor

Pro/Engineer

Job description

Bring Customer Ideas from Quotation to Production

VRC Engineered Solutions is seeking a Project Engineer to serve as the key liaison between customers, sales, manufacturing, and vendors. This role combines technical cost estimation and quoting with hands‑on New Product Development (NPD) project management, guiding customer programs from concept through successful production launch.

The ideal candidate has a strong understanding of injection molding, tooling design, and Design for Manufacturability (DFM), along with the project management skills needed to keep customer programs on track and deliver successful outcomes.

Why Join VRC?

• Own projects from quotation through production launch
• Partner directly with customers to bring innovative products to market
• Gain exposure to engineering, tooling, manufacturing, and quality functions
• Work on a diverse range of custom-engineered molding applications
• Join a company focused on innovation, quality, and continuous improvement
• Opportunity for professional growth within a growing manufacturing organization

What you’ll do:

• Review customer CAD models, drawings, and specifications for manufacturability and project feasibility
• Conduct DFM reviews and recommend design, tooling, and material improvements
• Develop mold concepts, tooling quotations, and manufacturing cost estimates
• Support customer discussions and quoting activities with technical expertise

New Product Development & Launch

• Lead projects from award through production launch
• Manage project timelines, budgets, deliverables, and customer expectations
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across Engineering, Tooling, Manufacturing, Quality, and Purchasing
• Oversee tooling fabrication, mold trials, sample submissions, and launch activities
• Lead APQP requirements, including FMEA, PPAP, and process validation
• Monitor project progress, mitigate risks, and ensure successful production implementation

What We’re Looking For:

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Plastics/Polymer Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or equivalent technical manufacturing experience
• 3-5+ years of engineering experience within plastic or rubber injection molding, tooling, or manufacturing environments
• Experience managing customer programs from concept through launch
• Strong understanding of molding processes, tooling design, and materials
• Experience reviewing and interpreting engineering drawings and 3D CAD models
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with APQP, FMEA, PPAP, and product launch activities
• Experience using SolidWorks, Autodesk Inventor, Pro/Engineer, or similar 3D CAD software
• Knowledge of injection mold construction, including hot and cold runner systems, slide mechanisms, and cooling design
• Experience working directly with customers and suppliers in a manufacturing environment

About Us

VRC Engineered Solutions is a leading provider of custom-engineered molded products and sealing solutions, serving diverse industries including automotive, industrial, marine, and healthcare. With decades of expertise and multiple facilities across Wisconsin and Illinois, we specialize in delivering innovative solutions that meet the highest standards of quality and performance.

Our mission is to combine engineering excellence with customer-focused service to create products that power everyday applications and improve lives.

If you're a technically minded engineer who enjoys solving manufacturing challenges, working directly with customers, and leading projects from concept to launch, we'd love to hear from you.

Join VRC Engineered Solutions and help transform customer ideas into successful production programs

Equal Opportunity Employer
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws.For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.