Sr. Project Engineer

PurposeBuilt Brands; Gurnee (IL); On-site; USD 92,600 - 113,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Flexible work options

PTO

401(k) match

Health/dental/vision insurance

Pet insurance

Fitness stipend

Employee discount

Summer Hours

LinkedIn Learning

Job summary

PurposeBuilt Brands seeks a Senior Project Engineer – CAPEX to lead end-to-end capital projects across multiple manufacturing sites. You will guide concept development, layouts, installation, and handover, driving ROI, risk management, and regulatory compliance.

The role requires a strong background in packaging automation, chemical processes, and lean methods, with cross-functional collaboration and vendor management across fast-paced consumer goods operations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical Engineering.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible engineering experience in high-speed manufacturing environments.
• Proven success managing large capital projects ($300K–$2M+) from concept through startup in multi-site operations.
• Strong working knowledge of packaging automation, chemical batching, and liquid handling processes.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD for layout development and equipment design integration.
• Experience with project management software.
• Solid understanding of validation, process safety, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, FDA as applicable).
• PMP certification or formal project management training is an advantage.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple capital projects simultaneously across sites, aligning with operational goals and long-term business strategy.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, equipment requirements, facility layouts, and execution plans with internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and manage Capital Expenditure Requests (CERs), including budgeting, ROI analysis, and financial tracking (POs, invoicing, forecasting).
• Direct cross-functional teams and external vendors to ensure safe, efficient, and timely project execution.
• Model and analyze manufacturing capacity to support expansion, throughput improvements, and cost savings.
• Oversee equipment procurement, FAT, installation, commissioning, and SAT.
• Ensure projects comply with safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental standards.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to project planning and execution.
• Provide engineering leadership, mentorship, and guidance to junior engineers and site teams.
• Drive validation protocols and process qualification efforts for new or modified systems.

Skills

Packaging automation

Project leadership

Communication

Organization

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Project management software

PLC control systems familiarity

Job description

Senior Project Engineer - CAPEX

Onsite- Gurnee, Illinois

The Role

The Senior Project Engineer – CAPEX is responsible for leading the end-to-end execution of capital projects across multiple manufacturing sites within our PurposeBuilt Brands division. This role oversees the full project lifecycle—from concept development and facility layout through installation, commissioning, and final handover.

The ideal candidate is a results‑driven project leader with deep technical knowledge in manufacturing operations, packaging automation, chemical formulation, and regulatory compliance. The role demands strong collaboration across cross‑functional teams and external vendors, along with the ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities in a fast‑paced consumer products environment.

What You Will Do:

• Lead multiple capital projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with operational goals and long‑term business strategy.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, equipment requirements, facility layouts, and execution plans in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and manage Capital Expenditure Requests (CERs), from concept through closure, including budgeting, ROI analysis, and financial tracking (POs, invoicing, forecasting).
• Direct cross‑functional teams and external vendors to ensure safe, efficient, and timely project execution.
• Model and analyze manufacturing capacity to support expansion, throughput improvements, and cost savings.
• Oversee equipment procurement, factory acceptance testing (FAT), installation, commissioning, and site acceptance testing (SAT).
• Ensure projects comply with safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental standards.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to project planning and execution.
• Provide engineering leadership, mentorship, and guidance to junior engineers and site teams.
• Drive validation protocols and process qualification efforts for new or modified systems.

What You Will Bring

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible engineering experience in high‑speed manufacturing environments (CPG industry preferred; bottle filling a plus).
• Proven success managing large capital projects ($300K–$2M+) from concept through startup in multi‑site operations.
• Strong working knowledge of packaging automation, chemical batching, and liquid handling processes.
• High proficiency in AutoCAD for layout development and equipment design integration.
• Experience with project management software.
• Solid understanding of validation, process safety, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, FDA as applicable).
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, lean environment with shifting priorities and ambiguous situations.
• Experience in consumer goods, personal care, food, or chemical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with PLC‑based control systems.
• PMP certification or formal project management training is an advantage.

Compensation

$92,600 – $113,200

Benefits

• Flexible work options (fully remote, hybrid, onsite)
• Generous paid time off
• Competitive salaries and bonus incentives
• 401(k) company match
• Competitive medical, dental, & vision insurance
• Pet insurance
• Annual fitness stipend
• Unmatched employee discount on all products
• Summer Hours
• LinkedIn Learning membership

PurposeBuilt Brands is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.