Project Engineer II

Innova Engineered Plastics; Poway (CA); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Innova Engineered Plastics is seeking a Project Engineer to drive customer and internal engineering projects from kickoff through delivery. You will review drawings and customer requirements, build the project plan, schedule, and budget, and coordinate engineering, production, quality, purchasing, and sales to meet quality standards.

The ideal candidate holds an engineering degree, can read technical drawings with confidence, and is highly organized with excellent communication skills.

Qualifications

• Read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Strong project management skills including scheduling and budgeting.
• Knowledge of manufacturing processes, tooling, and materials.
• Experience with SolidWorks or similar CAD for reviewing models/drawings.
• Excellent written and verbal communication with cross-functional teams.
• Proficiency in MS Office and ERP tools.
• Familiarity with ISO 9001/AS9100/13485 quality systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead project plans, schedules, budgets, and forecasts for engineering projects.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams across engineering, production, quality, purchasing, and sales.
• Review drawings, specs, and PO requirements for feasibility and risks.
• Provide technical support and address production/malfunction reports.
• Manage project documentation and engineering changes through control processes.
• Lead kickoff, status, and design review meetings with customers and internal teams.
• Support RFQ reviews by evaluating requirements and manufacturing considerations.

Skills

Read drawings/GD&T

Project management

CAD software

MS Office

ERP systems

ISO 9001/AS9100/13485

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical/Manufacturing/Industrial Engineering

Tools

SolidWorks

MS Project

Smartsheet

ERP systems

Job description

The Project Engineer manages customer and internal engineering projects from kickoff through delivery, combining strong project management with a solid technical foundation. This role reviews drawings, specifications, and customer requirements, then builds and drives the project plan, schedule, and budget needed to deliver on time and to quality standards. Acting as the central point of contact, the Project Engineer coordinates engineering, production, quality, purchasing, and sales, and keeps customers and leadership informed of progress, risks, and changes. The ideal candidate has an engineering degree, can read and interpret technical drawings with confidence, and is highly organized with excellent communication skills.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• Champion and uphold the company's values, mission, and quality policy in all activities.
• Adhere to and help enforce company policies, procedures, and internal control standards.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable Quality Management System (QMS) requirements, including ISO 9001, AS9100, and ISO 13485, as applicable to this role.
• Follow all safety rules and PPE requirements, and promptly report hazards, incidents, and near-misses.
• Design, implement, and communicate the operational plan for each project, including scope, schedules, budgets, and forecasts.
• Monitor progress, performance, and costs against the project plan, and take action to resolve operational problems, minimize delays, and mitigate risks.
• Perform engineering design evaluations, and prepare engineering designs and work specifications.
• Review customer drawings, specifications, and purchase order requirements to confirm technical feasibility and identify risks, gaps, or clarifications needed.
• Provide technical support for the engineering process, and review production, malfunction, and maintenance reports to determine and address problems.
• Identify, develop, and gather the resources needed to complete projects, including selecting materials, equipment, project staff, and external contractors.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects, communicating progress, technical questions, and changes with customers and internal teams.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, production, quality, purchasing, and sales, and lead project kickoff, status, and design review meetings.
• Support quoting and RFQ reviews by evaluating technical requirements, estimating effort, and identifying manufacturing considerations.
• Manage engineering change requests, drawing revisions, and project documentation through document control.
• Review industry policies and procedures to ensure data accuracy, security, and regulatory compliance.
• Support first article inspections (FAI), prototype builds, and production release to ensure deliverables meet customer and quality requirements.
• Perform other related duties as assigned.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Manufacturing, or Industrial Engineering, or a related field, required.
• 2–4 years of experience in project engineering, project management, or manufacturing engineering in a manufacturing environment required.
• Experience in plastics, machining, aerospace, medical, or other highly engineered product environments preferred.

SKILLS & QUALIFICATIONS

• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, and GD&T.
• Strong project management skills, including scheduling, budgeting, and managing multiple projects at once.
• Working knowledge of manufacturing processes, tooling, and materials.
• Experience with SolidWorks or similar CAD software for reviewing models and drawings.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to work with customers and all levels of the organization.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and decision-making skills with attention to detail.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, project management tools (e.g., MS Project, Smartsheet), and ERP systems.
• Working knowledge of quality system requirements under ISO 9001, AS9100 and ISO 13485, as applicable to this role.

TRAINING & COMPETENCY REQUIREMENTS

• Complete new-hire orientation and role-specific on-the-job training prior to performing unsupervised work.
• Complete Quality Management System (QMS) training applicable to this role, including quality policy awareness and the consequences of nonconformance to product or process requirements.
• Complete safety training applicable to this role (e.g., PPE use, lockout/tagout, forklift certification).
• Maintain competency through periodic refresher or retraining as required by department procedures and applicable regulatory requirements.

WORK ENVIRONMENT

• Manufacturing floor environment.
• Use of personal protective equipment (PPE) such as safety glasses.

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Prolonged periods sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
• Mobility to navigate the production floor to review project progress, builds, and inspections.

EXPECTED HOURS OF WORK

• This is a full-time exempt position, required to work Monday through Friday. Occasional weekend availability may be required based on business needs.

TRAVEL

• Up to 10% international travel required.