Project Engineering Manager

True North Consultants, Inc.; Kinston (NC); On-site; USD 125,000 - 155,000; Full time

Job summary

True North Consultants, Inc. is seeking a Project Engineering Manager to lead strategic automation projects in meat processing, translating complex requirements into innovative equipment and controls solutions. This role partners with business teams to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery.

The ideal candidate has strong PM and budget management skills, AutoCAD proficiency, and the ability to travel 50% to support cross-location projects across NC/VA.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field with 5+ years of relevant experience.
• Experience leading cross-functional teams and managing multi-million dollar budgets.
• Proficient in project management, contract administration, and interpreting national codes.

Responsibilities

• Develop preliminary designs and specifications for engineering and materials, and prepare cost estimates.
• Conduct feasibility, economic, and viability studies for designs.
• Determine design criteria based on standards and validate field work with as-built drawings.
• Review projects for accuracy and manage execution with vendors and contractors.
• Coordinate schedules with plant personnel, vendors, and contractors to align with management and engineering teams.
• Direct equipment vendors on layouts, utilities, and installation timelines.
• Review consultant work and provide recommendations for adjustments.
• Maintain documentation including manuals, drawings, bills of materials, and vendor contacts.
• Perform pre-project reviews to assess feasibility and alignment with goals.
• Define scope of work, issue RFPs, and evaluate proposals.
• Submit detailed reports on progress and key developments to management.
• Oversee contract administration including bid package reviews for compliance.
• Prepare project documents like justifications, budgets, calculations, plans, and schedules.
• Monitor installations to ensure budgets and specs are met and control project finances.
• Advance knowledge of robotic and controls systems to drive innovative solutions.

Skills

Leadership

Project Management

Budgeting

Team Development

AutoCAD

Excel

Meat processing knowledge

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Word

Job description

Job Title: Project Engineering Manager

Location: NC or VA

Salary: $125K – 155K plus bonus

Job Summary of the Project Engineering Manager:

Looking to hire a Strategic Project Engineering Manager who is passionate about technology and innovation in industrial equipment automation. The Strategic Project Manager will play a key role in driving cutting-edge automation projects for the meat processing industry. This Manager will collaborate closely with business partners and cross-functional teams to understand automation needs and translate them into innovative solutions. As a trusted authority in project management with equipment automation, this role tackles the most complex challenges, turning visionary concepts into reality.

Job Duties & Responsibilities of the Project Engineering Manager:

• Responsible for developing preliminary designs and specifications for engineering and materials, while also preparing project cost estimates.
• Conduct research, feasibility studies, and economic studies to ensure the design is both viable and cost-effective.
• Determine design criteria based on required standards and codes, and validate field work, creating as-built drawings to document the final outcome.
• Review and check engineering projects for accuracy and soundness, and manage project execution by guiding vendors and contractors.
• Coordinate project schedules with plant personnel, vendors, and contractors, ensuring alignment with management and engineering teams to successfully implement plans.
• Coordinate and provide direction to equipment vendors to plan layouts, ensure utility requirements are met, and maintain installation schedules.
• Review work products submitted by consultants, offering recommendations for adjustments as necessary.
• Maintain comprehensive documentation, including equipment manuals, mechanical and electrical drawings, parts lists, specifications, and vendor/service contact information, ensuring all project details are properly organized and accessible.
• Conduct engineering planning, design, and operational reviews during pre-project studies to assess feasibility and ensure alignment with project goals.
• Determine the scope of work, prepare requests for proposals, and evaluate the proposals received to select the best approach.
• Submit detailed reports to management by established deadlines, keeping them informed on progress and key project developments.
• Responsible for contract administration, including reviewing bid packages to ensure compliance and completeness.
• Prepare essential project documents, such as justifications, budget analyses, calculations, plans, and schedules, to guide project execution.
• Monitor installations to ensure that proposal specifications and budgets are met, and you manage assigned budget activities to maintain financial control and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.
• Continuously improve upon robotic and controls knowledge to execute innovative solutions

Education & Experience Requirements of the Project Engineering Manager:

• Bachelor’s Degree from an accredited four-year college or university in Engineering, or related field, and 5+ years of relevant experience; or equivalent combination of education and experience, required.
• 2+ years’ experience in a position of leadership, including team development and management, is required.
• Ability to apply sound engineering principles to operational and design issues.
• Knowledge of installation and construction project scheduling.
• Lay out and design experience
• Experience managing a multi-million dollar budget.
• Must possess Project Management skills; Contract Administration skills; National codes and standards interpretation skills.
• Proficient in engineering economics.
• Proficient in AutoCAD.
• Proficient in Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software and Word processing software, other Microsoft Office products.
• Ability to travel to other locations. (50% of the time).

• Knowledge of engineering principles and techniques related to food processing and the meat industry.
• Previous experience in the management of multi-million dollar projects with large scopes.
• Ability to work well with others in a fast-paced, dynamic environment.