Senior Project Engineer - CAPEX

James Hardie; Wilmington (OH); On-site; USD 120,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental & vision

Paid time off

401(k) match

Parental leave

Wellness programs

Sustainability focus

Job summary

James Hardie is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to lead capital, infrastructure, and process‑improvement projects at the Wilmington site. You will plan, execute, and deliver initiatives that boost safety, production capacity, reliability, and long‑term growth, working with engineering, operations, maintenance, EHS, and corporate teams.

You will manage scopes, budgets, schedules, and risk, coordinate cross‑functional teams, and drive continuous improvement while ensuring compliance with

Qualifications

• 5+ years of project management experience in manufacturing or capital projects.
• Strong knowledge of manufacturing processes and material flow.
• Experience with budgeting, cost control, and financial justification.
• Controls engineering experience is a strong plus.
• Excellent communication and leadership skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end capital and operational improvement projects at Wilmington site.
• Develop scopes, feasibility estimates, schedules, and risk plans.
• Build capital project business cases and manage ROI, spend, and forecasting.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to ensure successful delivery.
• Manage contractor safety, regulatory compliance, and standards.
• Drive throughput, reliability, safety, and cost-reduction initiatives.
• Support long-term site planning and capacity upgrades.
• Lead vendor selection, negotiations, and supplier performance.
• Prepare progress updates and executive-level reporting.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional collaboration

Budgeting

Communication

Controls engineering (PLC/HMI)

Multi-project handling

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

PLC/HMI automation systems

Job description

James Hardie is the industry leader in exterior home and outdoor living solutions, with a portfolio that includes fiber cement, fiber gypsum, composite and PVC decking and railing products. Our family of trusted brands includes Hardie®, TimberTech®, AZEK® Exteriors, Versatex®, fermacell®, and StruXure®.

With over 8,000 employees and our U.S. operating entities headquartered in Chicago, we boast 31 operating sites, 6 recycling facilities, and 6 research and development centers globally. Powered by a dynamic workforce, we’re united by our purpose of Building a Better Future for All™ through sustainable innovation, a Zero Harm culture, and a commitment to empowering our people and communities.

For more information, visit www.jameshardie.com.

Summary

The Senior Project Engineer leads capital, infrastructure, and process improvement projects that support James Hardie’s composite decking operations. This role is responsible for planning, executing, and delivering projects that improve safety, increase production capacity, enhance reliability, and support long term site growth. The Senior Project Engineer works cross functionally with engineering, operations, maintenance, EHS, and corporate teams to ensure projects meet scope, schedule, and budget expectations in a fast paced, data driven environment.

The Senior Project Engineer leads capital, infrastructure, and process‑improvement projects that support James Hardie’s composite decking operations. This role is responsible for planning, executing, and delivering projects that improve safety, increase production capacity, enhance reliability, and support long‑term site growth. The Senior Project Engineer works cross‑functionally with engineering, operations, maintenance, EHS, and corporate teams to ensure projects meet scope, schedule, and budget expectations in a fast‑paced, data‑driven environment.

What You’ll Do:

• Lead end-to-end capital and operational improvement projects across the Wilmington manufacturing site, from concept development through execution, commissioning, and startup.
• Develop project scopes, feasibility assessments, cost estimates, schedules, and risk mitigation plans aligned with operational priorities and financial objectives.
• Build capital project business cases and manage financial performance throughout the project lifecycle, including ROI analysis, spend forecasting, accrual reporting, and variance management.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including engineering, operations, maintenance, EHS, supply chain, and external contractors to ensure successful project delivery.
• Manage contractor and project safety, regulatory compliance, and adherence to engineering standards and company best practices.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives focused on throughput, reliability, safety, cost reduction, and overall manufacturing performance.
• Support long‑term site planning through layout optimization, capacity expansion, infrastructure upgrades, and identification of operational constraints.
• Lead vendor selection, contract negotiations, and supplier performance management.
• Prepare project updates, financial summaries, and executive-level reporting to communicate progress, risks, and key decisions.

What You’ll Bring:

• Bachelor’s degree required; Engineering Preferred
• 5+ years of project management experience in manufacturing, industrial operations, or capital project environments.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, equipment installation, and material flow.
• Controls engineering experience (PLC, HMI, automation systems) is a strong plus.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a high‑speed, high‑accountability environment.
• Experience with budgeting, cost control, and capital project financial justification.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills.
• PMP certification, Lean/Six Sigma experience, or exposure to TPM is a plus.
• Ability to work on the plant floor and collaborate closely with operations teams.

What Success Looks Like

• Projects delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Improved production capacity, reliability, and operational efficiency.
• Strong alignment with plant leadership and cross‑functional teams.
• Clear, proactive communication that drives accountability and results.
• Measurable contributions to James Hardie’s performance‑driven culture.

What You’ll Receive:

As of the date of this posting, a good faith estimate of the current pay scale for this position is $120k to $135k. Placement in the range depends on several factors such as experience, skills, geography and internal equity and may change over time. This position qualifies for benefits and you will be eligible to participate in a bonus plan.

At James Hardie, we recognize that our success depends on our people. We've worked hard to build a generous and competitive benefits program that demonstrates our commitment to our employees.

• Compensation: competitive salary and bonus eligibility
• Insurance: health coverage medical, dental, vision, life insurance
• Paid Time Off: vacation and company holidays
• Retirement: 401(k) with match
• Work-Life Balance: parental leave, wellness programs
• Purpose. Impact. Community: Sustainability Initiatives | James Hardie

This role is an opportunity to join the AZEK Group, LLC, a part of the James Hardie Building Products family of companies, where you’ll contribute to a culture driven by growth, collaboration, and meaningful impact.

James Hardie Building Products Inc. is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, gender, sex, age, national origin, religion, sexual orientation, gender identity/expression, genetic information, veteran's status, marital status, pregnancy, disability, or any other basis protected by law.

James Hardie will comply with any applicable state and local laws regarding employee leave benefits, including, but not limited to providing time off pursuant to the Colorado Healthy Families and Workplaces Act, in accordance with its plans and policies.

The position responsibilities outlined above are in no way to be construed as all encompassing. Other duties, responsibilities, and qualifications may be required and/or assigned as necessary.