Project Engineer

Job Title: Project Engineer

Job Description

The Project Engineer will work onsite at a customer facility to lead a new product launch from initial design through full production. This role focuses on end-to-end project management rather than detailed design execution, requiring a strong understanding of design for manufacturability and the ability to develop comprehensive quality plans for plastic injection and blow molded components in an automotive environment. The Project Engineer will coordinate cross-functional teams, maintain project timelines, and ensure all quality, manufacturing, and customer requirements are met.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage projects from concept and design through launch, ensuring all milestones are met on time and within scope.
• Coordinate and oversee the overall project process, maintaining a high-level understanding of design for manufacturability to guide decisions and resolve issues.
• Develop and maintain detailed quality plans for each part, including FMEAs, control plans, work instructions, work cell layouts, and PPAP documentation.
• Create and update project documentation such as Gantt charts, flow charts, and PFMEAs using Microsoft Excel and PowerPoint.
• Conduct weekly project management meetings and provide clear status updates to stakeholders on progress, risks, and action items.
• Collaborate closely with engineering teams at headquarters to align customer requirements with internal design and manufacturing capabilities.
• Work cross-functionally with quality, manufacturing, design, sales, maintenance, and customer service teams to drive successful project completion.
• Manage change orders and project coordination activities, ensuring changes are documented, communicated, and implemented effectively.
• Support new product development activities for plastic injection and blow molded components, ensuring readiness for production launch.
• Ensure all project deliverables meet automotive industry standards and customer specifications, particularly for plastics manufacturing and injection blow molding processes.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• 4+ years of experience as a Project Engineer or Project Manager.
• 4+ years of experience managing projects from design through launch.
• 4+ years of experience creating quality plans, including FMEAs, control plans, work instructions, work cell layouts, and PPAPs.
• 4+ years of experience working in the automotive industry.
• 4+ years of experience with injection molding, plastics manufacturing, and blow molding processes.
• Proficiency in project management and project engineering within a manufacturing environment.
• Experience with change order management and project coordination.
• Strong understanding of design for manufacturability, especially for plastic injection and blow molded parts.
• Ability to work effectively with cross-functional teams including quality, manufacturing, design, sales, maintenance, and customer service.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools, particularly Excel and PowerPoint, for creating Gantt charts, flow charts, and project documentation.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with injection blow molding and plastics manufacturing in an automotive setting.
• Familiarity with SolidWorks or similar CAD tools to support engineering discussions and design reviews.
• Experience in new product development for plastic injection and blow molded components.
• Experience preparing and reviewing PFMEAs from the customer side.
• Strong organizational and communication skills to lead meetings and coordinate multiple stakeholders.
• Ability to spearhead projects independently and take ownership of deliverables.
• Interest in opportunities that may extend or convert to a permanent role, offering long-term career growth.

Work Environment

This position is based onsite at a customer facility in an automotive manufacturing environment. The Project Engineer will work closely with customer teams and collaborate regularly with engineering and cross-functional groups at the headquarters location. The role involves frequent project meetings, use of standard office software and tools, and interaction with production and quality areas supporting plastic injection and blow molding operations. The work setting provides hands-on exposure to new product launches and offers 2 weeks of paid PTO and 8 paid holidays while on contract, along with the potential for contract extension or conversion to a permanent role.

This is a Contract position based out of Auburn Hills, MI.

The pay range for this position is $33.65 - $55.28/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Auburn Hills,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.