Sr. Project Engineer

Avantor; Carpinteria (CA); On-site; USD 86,000 - 138,000; Full time

Job summary

Avantor is seeking a Senior Project Engineer to lead engineering projects and provide technical expertise across complex assignments at our Carpinteria, CA site. You will drive project phases, mentor engineers, and coordinate with contractors to ensure safe, on-budget, on-schedule delivery.

The role requires 5–8+ years of engineering and project management experience in manufacturing environments, with proficiency in AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, and MS Project.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related discipline required.
• 5–8+ years in engineering and project management in manufacturing or pharma environments.
• Experience leading projects from concept to completion and managing contractors.
• Proven ability to work with cross-functional teams and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering projects and provide technical expertise across complex assignments.
• Manage medium to large projects ensuring safety, schedule, budget, and quality.
• Mentor Project Engineers and support staff; guide technical decisions.
• Coordinate with contractors, vendors, and internal teams for effective execution.
• Develop P&IDs, site layouts, and 3D models using AutoCAD and SOLIDWORKS.
• Review designs, calculations, and drawings for regulatory and quality compliance.
• Manage project budgets, forecasting, and cost tracking.
• Prepare project updates and communicate risks and mitigations to leadership.

Skills

Project management

Engineering leadership

Cross-functional collaboration

Technical guidance

AutoCAD

SOLIDWORKS

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

PE license preferred

EIT or PMP preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

SOLIDWORKS

Microsoft Project

Microsoft Office

Job description

The Opportunity:

Process Engineer Avantor is looking for a Senior Project Engineer to be responsible for leading engineering projects and providing technical expertise across a variety of complex assignments. This role applies advanced knowledge of engineering principles, project management practices, and operational objectives to successfully execute projects from concept through completion. The Senior Project Engineer manages medium- to large-scale projects and critical phases of major engineering initiatives, ensuring project deliverables are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with quality and regulatory requirements. Working independently under general supervision, this position exercises sound judgment in resolving complex technical challenges and may provide guidance, mentorship, and assistance to Project Engineers, entry-level professionals, and technical support personnel. This is a full-time position based out of our Carptineria, CA location.

How you will thrive and create an impact

• Coordinate and drive engineering projects and major project phases, helping ensure alignment with project objectives, schedules, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Manage multiple project assignments simultaneously, balancing technical, operational, and business needs to support successful outcomes.
• Analyze engineering challenges, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Support project budgeting, cost evaluations, forecasting, and financial tracking activities to help projects remain within approved funding levels.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential issues, and recommend corrective actions as needed to support schedule, cost, quality, and technical objectives.
• Serve as a technical resource and subject matter expert in assigned areas, providing guidance and support to project teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders, contractors, vendors, consultants, and subcontractors to facilitate effective project execution and alignment.
• Review engineering designs, calculations, specifications, and drawings to help ensure technical accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Participate in risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution activities throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support compliance with safety policies, environmental regulations, quality standards, and industry best practices.
• Prepare and communicate project updates, technical analyses, schedules, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Assist with contractor management activities, including reviewing invoices, verifying work completion, and supporting project expenditure approvals.
• Provide technical guidance during project planning, construction, startup, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Perform engineering calculations, including static and dynamic load analyses, energy balances, and process evaluations, as required.
• Develop and maintain Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) for new and existing systems using AutoCAD.
• Create and review site layouts, equipment layouts, and construction drawings utilizing AutoCAD.
• Develop and maintain 3D models and equipment designs using SOLIDWORKS.
• Produce detailed 2D and 3D drawings to support fabrication, installation, and construction activities.
• Develop and maintain project schedules using Microsoft Project and provide completion forecasts and status updates.
• Share technical knowledge, best practices, and project experience with Project Engineers and other team members, supporting skill development and team effectiveness.
• Contribute to the development and improvement of project management and engineering processes to enhance project execution and operational efficiency.
• Build collaborative relationships across functions and help facilitate alignment among stakeholders to support project and business objectives.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering excellence, project delivery, and operational performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Education

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred.

Experience

• 5–8+ years of engineering and project management experience in a manufacturing, industrial, pharmaceutical, food processing, or related environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering projects from conception through completion.
• Experience working with contractors, vendors, and cross-functional teams.

Additional Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Experience with capital projects, facility improvements, process systems, and equipment installations.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Advanced analytical and problem‑solving abilities.
• Strong technical engineering knowledge and application of engineering principles.
• Excellent project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Strong leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functional areas.
• Strong decision‑making and risk assessment skills.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office applications.
• Knowledge of applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Disclaimer

The above statements are intended to describe the general nature and level of work being performed by employees assigned to this classification. They are not intended to be construed as an exhaustive list of all responsibilities, duties and skills required of employees assigned to this position.

Why Avantor?

Dare to go further in your career. Join our global team of 14,000+ associates whose passion for discovery and determination to overcome challenges relentlessly advances life‑changing science. The work we do changes people's lives for the better. It brings new patient treatments and therapies to market, giving a cancer survivor the chance to walk his daughter down the aisle. It enables medical devices that help a little boy hear his mom's voice for the first time. Outcomes such as these create unlimited opportunities for you to contribute your talents, learn new skills and grow your career at Avantor. We are committed to helping you on this journey through our diverse, equitable and inclusive culture which includes learning experiences to support your career growth and success. At Avantor, dare to go further and see how the impact of your contributions set science in motion to create a better world.

Pay Transparency

The expected pre‑tax pay for this position is $86,000.00 - $138,000.00. Actual pay may differ depending on relevant factors such as prior experience and geographic location.

EEO Statement

We are an Equal Employment/Affirmative Action employer and VEVRAA Federal Contractor. We do not discriminate in hiring on the basis of sex, gender identity, sexual orientation, race, color, religious creed, national origin, physical or mental disability, protected Veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/province, or local law. If you need a reasonable accommodation for any part of the employment process, please contact us by email at [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information. Requests for accommodation will be considered on a case‑by‑case basis. Please note that only inquiries concerning a request for reasonable accommodation will be responded to from this email address. For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the Know Your Rights poster.

Company

Avantor®, a Fortune 500 company, is a leading global provider of mission‑critical products and services to customers in the biopharma, healthcare, education & government, and advanced technologies & applied materials industries. Our portfolio is used in virtually every stage of the most important research, development and production activities in the industries we serve. One of our greatest strengths comes from having a global infrastructure that is strategically located to support the needs of our customers. Our global footprint enables us to serve more than 225,000 customer locations and gives us extensive access to research laboratories and scientists in more than 180 countries. We set science in motion to create a better world.