Project Engineer

AgileGrid Solutions; United States; On-site; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor Sciences is seeking a Project Engineer to lead engineering projects and provide technical expertise across complex assignments in Carpinteria, California. The role focuses on delivering projects safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with quality and regulatory requirements.

You will work with internal teams and external partners, mentor peers, and help ensure project decisions align with operational and business objectives, including safety and continuous improvement.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or related technical discipline preferred.
• Typically 2–5+ years of engineering and/or project management experience.
• Experience managing projects from conception to completion with contractors and cross‑functional teams.
• Experience with capital projects, facility improvements, or regulated environments is a plus.
• PE/EIT/PMP certification preferred; strong communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate engineering projects and major phases with budgets, schedules, and quality expectations.
• Manage multiple assignments, track progress, identify risks, and forecast status.
• Analyze challenges, evaluate options, and suggest practical, cost‑effective solutions.
• Support budgeting, cost evaluations, forecasting, and contractor management.
• Review designs and drawings for technical accuracy and compliance.
• Develop P&IDs, site layouts, and 2D/3D models using AutoCAD and SOLIDWORKS.
• Conduct calculations and process evaluations, including load analyses and energy balances.
• Provide technical support through planning, construction, startup, and validation.
• Collaborate with stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors to resolve needs.
• Promote safety, quality, and continuous improvement in project practices.

Skills

Project management

AutoCAD

SOLIDWORKS

Microsoft Project

Budgeting & cost control

Leadership

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

PE/EIT/PMP preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

SOLIDWORKS

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

About The Company

Avantor Sciences is a global provider of products and services that support life sciences, advanced technologies, and applied materials. Its work helps customers advance scientific discovery and bring important treatments and technologies to market. Avantor’s global team is united by a commitment to supporting science and improving lives. The company fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture and offers opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow.

About The Company

Avantor Sciences is a global provider of products and services that support life sciences, advanced technologies, and applied materials. Its work helps customers advance scientific discovery and bring important treatments and technologies to market. Avantor’s global team is united by a commitment to supporting science and improving lives. The company fosters a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture and offers opportunities to learn, contribute, and grow.

About The Role

Avantor Sciences is seeking a Project Engineer to lead engineering projects and provide technical expertise across complex assignments. This full-time position is based in Carpinteria, California. The successful candidate will manage medium‑to large-scale projects, as well as key phases of major engineering initiatives, from early planning through completion.

Working independently under general supervision, you will apply sound engineering judgment and project management practices to deliver work safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements. You will collaborate with internal teams and external partners, resolve technical challenges, and help ensure project decisions support operational and business objectives. You may also provide technical guidance and mentorship to Project Engineers, early‑career professionals, and technical support personnel.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Typically, 2–5 or more years of engineering and/or project management experience, preferably in manufacturing, industrial, pharmaceutical, food processing, or a related environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering projects from conception through completion, including work with contractors, vendors, and cross‑functional teams.
• Experience with capital projects, facility improvements, process systems, equipment installations, or regulated manufacturing environments is an asset.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license, Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) certification, or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Strong engineering, analytical, problem‑solving, planning, budgeting, organizational, decision‑making, and risk assessment skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication, leadership, mentoring, and collaboration skills, including the ability to influence across functional areas.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office applications is desired.
• Knowledge of applicable safety, environmental, quality, and regulatory requirements, and the ability to manage multiple complex projects at once.

Responsibilities

• Coordinate engineering projects and major project phases, aligning objectives, schedules, budgets, technical requirements, and quality expectations.
• Manage multiple assignments, track progress, identify risks or issues, recommend corrective actions, and communicate forecasts and status updates.
• Analyze engineering challenges, assess alternatives, and recommend practical, cost‑effective solutions.
• Support project budgeting, cost evaluations, forecasting, financial tracking, contractor management, invoice review, and expenditure approvals.
• Review designs, calculations, specifications, and drawings for technical accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Develop and maintain P&IDs, site and equipment layouts, construction drawings, and 2D and 3D models using AutoCAD and SOLIDWORKS.
• Perform engineering calculations and process evaluations, including load analyses and energy balances, as required.
• Provide technical support throughout planning, construction, startup, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Work with stakeholders, contractors, vendors, consultants, and subcontractors to coordinate execution and resolve project needs.
• Promote safety, environmental compliance, quality, continuous improvement, and effective project practices. Share knowledge and support the development of colleagues.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Benefits

Avantor offers the opportunity to contribute to work that supports scientific discovery and advances life‑changing treatments and technologies. Employees can build skills and pursue career growth through learning experiences within a diverse, equitable, and inclusive global organization. The expected pre‑tax pay range for this position is $86,000–$138,000. Actual compensation may vary based on relevant factors, including experience and geographic location.

Equal Opportunity

Avantor Sciences is an Equal Employment Opportunity employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. The company does not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, provincial, or local law. Reasonable accommodations are available during the employment process. Applicants who need an accommodation may contact Avantor and provide details about their request and preferred contact information.