Senior Project Manager/Process Engineer

IWM3; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

iwm3 is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead turnkey process system projects in our food, beverage, dairy, and pharmaceutical manufacturing environments.

You will manage the full lifecycle from design through commissioning, coordinating engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, and validation to meet safety, quality, schedule, and budget goals.

Travel required 25–40% to customer sites; office, fabrication, and field work settings are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in mechanical engineering or related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of project management experience in sanitary or process manufacturing industries.
• Experience leading turnkey mechanical contracting projects with tanks, skids, piping and process equipment.

Responsibilities

• Lead the complete project lifecycle from conceptual design through commissioning and closeout.
• Coordinate engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, and commissioning activities.
• Manage multiple projects with scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives.
• Develop execution plans, schedules, risk registers, and budget controls.
• Drive performance through proactive issue resolution and stakeholder communication.
• Travel 25-40% to customer locations for meetings and oversight.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client management

Negotiation

Communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering

Job description

iwm3 is a specialty mechanical contractor and metal fabricator serving the food, beverage, and manufacturing industries. Since 1954, we’ve built a reputation for delivering high-quality mechanical contracting, maintenance services, and precision metal fabrication that create lasting value for both our customers and our team.

We design, build, and maintain the critical systems that keep facilities running safely and efficiently. As we continue to grow, we’re looking for skilled, dependable professionals who take pride in their work and want to be part of a team that values craftsmanship, safety, and long-term success.

If you’re ready to build a career with a company that invests in its people and stands behind its work, we’d love to hear from you!

The Senior Project Manager will be responsible for managing the full lifecycle of turnkey process system projects, including integrated skid systems, process piping systems, sanitary process equipment, and other manufacturing solutions. This role will combine mechanical construction experience with project leadership, ensuring projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with industry regulations.

The ideal candidate will have project management experience within food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, or other sanitary process industries.

Key Responsibilities:

• Lead the complete project lifecycle from conceptual design through commissioning, validation, and project closeout.
• Manage multiple mechanical construction projects simultaneously, ensuring adherence to scope, schedule, budget, quality, and safety objectives.
• Develop and maintain project execution plans, schedules, resource forecasts, risk registers, and budget controls.
• Coordinate engineering, procurement, fabrication, construction, and commissioning activities across internal and external teams.
• Drive project performance through proactive issue resolution and effective stakeholder communication.
• Support process optimization, troubleshooting, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for technicians and subcontrators, providing leadership throughout project execution.
• Build and maintain strong relationships through consistent communication and successful project delivery.
• Identify project risks and opportunities while implementing mitigation strategies to ensure project success.
• Promote a culture of safety, quality, and operational excellence throughout all phases of project execution.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• 8+ years of project management experience in food, beverage, dairy, pharmaceutical, or sanitary manufacturing industries.
• Proven experience leading turnkey mechanical contracting projects involving tanks, skids, process equipment, and piping systems.
• Exceptional leadership, communication, negotiation, and client management skills.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making capabilities.

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
• Experience managing projects in food, beverage, dairy, or pharmaceutical manufacturing facilities.
• Knowledge of applicable industry standards and regulations, including:
• FDA regulations
• Current Good Manufacturing Practices (cGMP)
• ASME
• BPE standards
• 3-A Sanitary standards
• SEMI standards
• Familiarity with automation, controls integration, and validation protocols.
• Work is performed in office, fabrication, manufacturing, and construction site environments.
• Requires interaction with operating production facilities and active construction sites.
• Ability to travel approximately 25-40% to customer locations for project meetings, construction oversight, and other activities.
• Occasional extended site assignments may be required during critical project phases.