Project Engineer - 12 Month Contract

Dechra; Fort Worth (TX); On-site; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

Dechra Fort Worth is seeking a Project Engineer on a 12‑month fixed-term contract to lead capital and technical projects supporting manufacturing and packaging operations. You will ensure on‑time, on‑budget delivery while maintaining GMP, safety, and regulatory compliance.

You will partner with Operations, Quality, Validation, EHS, and Maintenance to drive lifecycle management, continuous improvement, and digital manufacturing initiatives within a pharmaceutical environment.

Qualifications

• Strong GMP knowledge and experience with pharmaceutical utilities and packaging equipment.
• Proven track record delivering capital projects from concept through commissioning.
• Experience managing contractors, vendors, and internal resources safely and within budget.
• Familiarity with IQ/OQ/PQ and equipment qualification processes.
• PMP, PgMP, CMRP Certifications are highly desirable.

Responsibilities

• Lead capital and expense projects from concept through commissioning and handover.
• Develop scopes, schedules, cost estimates, URS, and execution plans.
• Coordinate contractors, vendors, and internal teams to ensure safe, compliant execution.
• Ensure GMP-compliant change controls, deviations, CAPAs, and quality records.
• Support equipment qualification and validation activities (IQ/OQ/PQ).
• Ensure CMMS live SOPs, spare parts, and turn-over to Operations on startup.

Skills

GMP knowledge

Capital project management

Equipment installation

Vendor management

Cross-functional collaboration

Communication skills

Problem-solving

PMO meetings

HVAC/utilities knowledge

Regulatory compliance

Education

PMP Certification

PgMP Certification

CMRP Certification

Tools

CMMS

Job description

This position is a Fixed-Term Contract (FTC) role with a duration of 12 months.

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.
• 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 PerformanceReduction 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
• 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.
• PMP - Project Management Professional
• PgMP - Program Management Professional
• 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.