Project Engineering Manager

Duravant; Riverside (MO); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

Marlen seeks a Project Engineering Manager to lead a team of mechanical engineers in designing, developing, and continuously improving equipment and systems for sanitary food processing applications. You will drive project execution from concept to implementation while aligning with quality, regulatory, and business objectives.

You will lead New Product Development across Marlen business units, manage complex custom projects, and develop engineering standards, tracking tools, and processes to

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• 10+ years progressive engineering experience in manufacturing or related industries.
• 2+ years leadership or people management experience.
• PE license preferred.
• Experience in project estimation, design support, and pre-sales engineering preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of Mechanical Engineers and manage workloads to meet priorities and schedules.
• Drive New Product Development across product lines and improve engineering processes.
• Provide technical direction for mechanical design, review drawings, and ensure manufacturability and compliance.
• Develop and oversee testing/validation procedures for new products and upgrades.
• Coordinate cross-functional communication between Engineering, Sales, Service, and Operations.
• Support acquisitions and strategic initiatives with engineering acumen.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

CAD design

PE license

FEA

ERP systems

Machinery design

Sanitary equipment

Communication

Travel

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering

10+ years engineering experience

2+ years leadership

PE license preferred

Pre-sales engineering experience

Tools

Creo/ SolidWorks/ AutoCAD

Infor SyteLine ERP

MS Office

Job description

Position Summary

The Project Engineering Manager provides technical and organizational leadership for Marlen's project engineering and new product development activities. This role leads a team of mechanical engineers in the design, development, and continuous improvement of equipment and systems that meet customer requirements, quality standards, regulatory requirements, and business objectives. The Project Engineering Manager is responsible for managing custom engineering projects, driving new product development initiatives, and improving engineering processes across all Marlen business units. Working closely with Sales, Service, Operations, Manufacturing, and Product Management, this position ensures effective project execution from concept through implementation while maintaining alignment with strategic business goals. This role also develops engineering standards, project management processes, order review procedures, and project tracking methodologies that improve efficiency, consistency, and scalability across the organization. As the business evolves, the Project Engineering Manager will support acquisition integration efforts, technology transfers, and other strategic initiatives that strengthen the organization's engineering capabilities.

Duties & Responsibilities

Engineering Leadership & Team Development

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of Mechanical Engineers, providing technical guidance, coaching, and performance support.
• Assign resources and manage engineering workloads to ensure project priorities, schedules, and deliverables are achieved.
• Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, continuous improvement, and technical excellence.
• Support employee development through training, mentoring, and succession planning initiatives.

Project & Product Development Management

• Lead custom engineering projects across all product lines, ensuring execution within scope, schedule, and budget.
• Manage New Product Development (NPD) initiatives across all Marlen business units.
• Collaborate with stakeholders to define project requirements, timelines, risks, and deliverables.
• Monitor project progress, proactively identify challenges, and implement solutions to ensure successful outcomes.
• Develop and maintain project management processes, tools, and performance metrics.

Technical Leadership & Design Oversight

• Provide technical direction for the design, development, and optimization of mechanical systems and equipment.
• Review engineering designs, drawings, and specifications for accuracy, completeness, manufacturability, and technical feasibility.
• Develop and oversee testing and validation procedures for new products, product enhancements, and machine upgrades.
• Ensure compliance with applicable industry standards, safety requirements, and engineering best practices.

Process Improvement & Cross-Functional Collaboration

• Lead continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering processes, design standards, and product performance.
• Establish and maintain standards for order processing, scope review, engineering documentation, and project tracking.
• Coordinate communication and project execution between Engineering, Sales, Service, Manufacturing, Purchasing, and Operations.
• Provide regular project status updates and communicate key milestones, risks, and resource requirements.

Strategic Initiatives

• Support engineering activities associated with business acquisitions, product integrations, and strategic growth initiatives.
• Identify opportunities to standardize designs, improve efficiency, reduce costs, and enhance product quality across the portfolio.
• Participate in long-term technology and product roadmap planning.

Qualifications

POSITION REQUIREMENTS:

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related engineering discipline required.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive engineering experience in manufacturing, industrial equipment, or related industries.
• Minimum of 2 years of leadership or people management experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• Experience in project estimation, design support, and pre-sales engineering activities preferred.

Technical Qualifications

• Strong mechanical design knowledge and engineering problem-solving capabilities.
• Extensive CAD and solid modeling experience, preferably with Creo, SolidWorks, AutoCAD Inventor, or similar platforms.
• Experience designing stainless steel equipment for sanitary food processing applications, including machined components, sheet metal, and welded assemblies, preferred.
• Knowledge of manufacturing and fabrication processes, including machining, welding, assembly, and metal fabrication.
• Familiarity with ANSI, ISO, and applicable industry standards.
• Working knowledge of control systems and automation concepts sufficient to effectively communicate design intent and system requirements.

Experience With Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Tools Preferred

• Experience With Finite Element Analysis (FEA) Tools Preferred.

Experience with ERP systems, preferably Infor SyteLine, preferred

• Experience with ERP systems, preferably Infor SyteLine, preferred.

Skills & Competencies

• Strong leadership and team development skills.
• Excellent project management and organizational capabilities.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills.
• Results-oriented with a continuous improvement mindset.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook, Excel, Word, and PowerPoint.
• Ability to travel up to 25%.

PHYSICAL DEMANDS

The employee is often required to sit for long periods of time and use their hands and fingers in order to use computer equipment, handle paperwork, use the telephone, and work on product-related components. The employee is occasionally required to stand, walk, and reach. Vision abilities required by this job include color and close vision. Occasional need to lift up to 50 pounds.

Work Environment

The work environment includes office and manufacturing. The noise level in the work environment is usually moderate but can be high in production environments. The employee is exposed to mechanical parts and industrial vehicles. Occasional travel in an airplane and automobile required.

Why You Shoud Apply

As a Duravant Family Company, Marlen participates in global Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion programs, as well as Doing Good initiatives to support our communities. In addition to a culture that promotes long term career satisfaction, with opportunities for personal and professional growth, Marlen offers an excellent total rewards package that includes:

• Compensation: We offer competitive compensation
• Benefits: We have comprehensive benefit packages designed to support our employees' health, well-being, and financial security
• Development: We have education and training programs which include an educational assistance program
• Time Off: We offer paid holidays and paid time off
• Driven Team Members: We have a cross-functional, collaborative environment, focused on delivering results
• Core Values: Do What's Right; Champion Customer Success; Respond Fast, Deliver Faster; Work Together, Win Together; Ignite What's Next Culture: We are driven by our number one asset - our employees, and their successes
• Doing Good: We love to be active members of our community! We have several volunteer opportunities throughout the year.

Marlen International ("Marlen") maintains a drug-free workplace is an equal employment opportunity (EEO) employer that evaluates qualified applicants without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, ancestry, sex (including pregnancy, childbirth, and related medical conditions), age, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, and other characteristics protected by law. Individuals who need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process should contact Marlen Human Resources Department to request accommodation. In addition to federal law requirements, Marlen complies with applicable state and local laws governing nondiscrimination in employment in every location in which the Company has facilities. Must satisfactorily pass background check, post-offer drug screen, and physical prior to employment. Marlen participates in E-Verify.