Senior Project Engineer - Capital Projects

Charter Casting; Woodstock (IL); On-site; USD 100,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Dental insurance

Vision insurance

401(k) with employer match

Life insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Charter Casting is seeking a Senior Project Engineer – Capital Projects to lead capital initiatives at Woodstock, IL and Shawano, WI facilities. You’ll manage projects end-to-end—from concept and scope through procurement, installation, commissioning, and closeout—collaborating with operations, maintenance and external contractors.

Travel ~25%. Requires a Bachelor’s in Engineering and 7+ years of manufacturing project management. Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• Seven+ years’ experience with direct project management in manufacturing.
• Experience with capital equipment procurement including RFQ generation and ROI analytics.
• Demonstrated leadership in cross-functional teams.
• Willingness to travel 25%+.

Responsibilities

• Lead major initiatives across the business and functions to enable growth.
• Collaborate with plants to design and implement major initiatives and projects.
• Serve as engineering lead and role model within the engineering group.
• Coordinate with operations, maintenance and contractors for project delivery.
• Identify engineering needs for key stakeholders.
• Teach and coach teams on tackling engineering projects and problem solving.
• Drive stakeholder alignment and cross-functional execution for sustainable impact.
• Lead internal/external resources through project phases.
• Follow Environmental, Quality, and Safety procedures.

Skills

Project management

Cross-functional leadership

Data-driven decision making

RFQ generation

ROI analytics

Verbal and written communication

Electrical concepts

Mechanical concepts

2D CAD drafting (SolidWorks, AutoCAD)

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering

PMP certification (nice to have)

Tools

SolidWorks

AutoCAD

Job description

Charter Manufacturing is a fourth-generation family-owned business where our will to grow drives us to do it better. Join the team and become part of our family!

Sr. Project Engineer – Capital Projects

The Senior Project Engineer – Capital Projects is responsible for leading and managing capital engineering projects across Charter Casting's manufacturing facilities in Woodstock, IL and Shawano, WI. Projects typically range from $250,000 to $1 million but may vary in size and complexity based on business needs. Projects include equipment design, equipment upgrades, and brownfield and greenfield initiatives that support operational improvements and strategic business objectives.

This role provides end-to-end project management, from initial concept, scope development, and capital justification through engineering design, equipment procurement, installation, commissioning, documentation, training, and project closeout. The Senior Project Engineer applies technical expertise, data-driven decision-making, and cross-functional leadership to develop effective engineering solutions across multiple disciplines. Working closely with operations, maintenance, engineering teams, and external contractors, this position ensures projects are delivered safely, on time, within budget, and aligned with business needs.

Position specifics

• Location: Woodstock IL or Shawano WI
• Site Responsibility: Supports capital engineering projects at both the Woodstock, IL and Shawano, WI manufacturing facilities
• Travel: Approximately 25% travel, with actual travel varying based on project location and requirements. Travel includes visits to both the Woodstock and Shawano manufacturing facilities, equipment vendors, and other project-related locations as needed
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for any employer in the U.S. Charter Manufacturing is unable to sponsor employment visas at this time

Key responsibilities

• Lead major initiatives across the business and functions to enable the overall business strategic objectives, including bold moves for long-term growth
• Work with the individual plants to review and develop the economical design and implementation of major initiatives and specifically scoped projects
• Act as an engineering lead and role model within the engineering group
• Act as liaison between operations, maintenance, and outside contractors to implement major initiatives and projects
• Identify engineering needs for key stakeholders within the business
• Relate well to employees throughout the business in teaching and coaching the best way to tackle engineering projects and technical problem solving
• Apply leadership to align stakeholders, remove barriers, coordinate cross-functional execution, and drive adoption that delivers sustainable business impact
• Utilize internal and external resources and lead them through project phases
• Perform other duties as assigned
• Follow Environmental, Quality, and Safety Management System procedures and requirements
• Ability to meet the essential job requirements, with or without reasonable accommodation, as outlined in the job description

What you’ll need

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or a related technical degree
• Seven plus years’ experience with direct project management in manufacturing
• Experience using a variety of data to drive decisions
• Experience with capital equipment procurement including detailed RFQ generation and ROI analytics
• Demonstrated leadership experience in working with & leading cross functional teams
• Proven project management skills in leading multiple initiatives at various levels
• Skilled at change management with strong verbal and written communication skills
• Basic understanding of electrical and mechanical concepts
• Proficient in 2D CAD drafting software (Solid Works and AutoCAD)
• Ability to be a self-starter and requiring little or no supervision
• Willingness to travel (25%+)

Nice to haves

• Master’s Degree in technical discipline or a PMP certificate
• Advanced knowledge of hydraulic, pneumatic, combustion, machining, mechanical, or electrical systems
• Experience and knowledge working with Technology, Digital, and Automation Teams
• Strong experience in the foundry industry and/or other metals industry with preference around cast iron, green sand molding, and no bake knowledge and experience
• Experience on large Brown or Green Field projects
• Experience with Program Management for larger strategic initiatives that span across the entire business and deliver new capabilities
• Prior supervisory experience
• Proficient in 3D CAD drafting software (SolidWorks)
• Trained in continuous improvement methodologies (Green Belt/Black Belt certified)

About Charter Casting

Charter Casting is a premier U.S. partner and casting supplier for precision-engineered iron solutions. We deliver large, complex iron castings and DuraBar®, the industry’s leading continuous cast iron bar, with the consistency and performance customers depend on.

The annual hiring range for this position is: $100,000-$125,000. The actual base pay offered to the successful candidate will depend on various factors, including but not limited to job-related skills, experience, and qualifications. Compensation decisions are tailored to the unique circumstances of each position and candidate.

Benefits

• We offer comprehensive health, dental, and vision benefits, along with a 401(k) plan that includes employer matching and profit sharing.
• Additionally, we offer company-paid life insurance, disability coverage, and paid time off (PTO).