Project Manager

Job Title: Engineering Project Manager (Capital Projects)Job Description

This role oversees the full life cycle of large-scale capital projects, from initial concept and design through estimating, equipment fabrication and construction, commissioning, validation, start-up, and project closeout. The Engineering Project Manager develops multi-objective project scopes, forecasts financial spending, and builds detailed schedules while ensuring compliance with all applicable codes and regulations. The position requires hands-on leadership of multi-million-dollar projects, frequent interaction with diverse stakeholders, and clear communication of project status and key deliverables throughout the project life cycle. The role offers exposure to complex capital equipment initiatives and facility expansion projects, along with long-term project continuity and professional development opportunities.

Responsibilities

• Lead all phases of capital project management, including design, conceptual estimating, equipment fabrication, equipment construction, commissioning, validation, start-up, and closeout.
• Develop multi-objective project scopes that balance technical, financial, schedule, and regulatory requirements.
• Create preliminary project budgets and schedules for assigned projects and maintain accurate financial forecasts throughout the project life cycle.
• Work closely with project sponsors and stakeholders to prepare Capital Project Appropriation (CPA) requests, including project descriptions, justifications, cost estimates, budgets, schedules, analysis of alternatives, and other required information.
• Research and present alternative solutions and cost options to customers while ensuring compliance with all relevant user codes and regulatory requirements.
• Prepare and deliver key project presentations and status updates to multiple stakeholders to obtain approvals to initiate projects and to provide intermediate progress updates.
• Facilitate meetings, presentations, and regular reporting to ensure stakeholders remain informed of project status, risks, and changes.
• Develop Request for Proposal (RFP) documents for design services, construction services, and major equipment purchases as appropriate.
• Develop capital and expense budget requests for future projects during the annual budget cycle.
• Arrange training for maintenance and operating personnel and ensure proper distribution of all testing, certification, validation, as-built documentation, spare parts lists, operating manuals, maintenance manuals, and drawings.
• Manage and coordinate, in collaboration with site customers and subject matter experts, the safe, timely, high-quality, cost-effective, and compliant implementation of assigned projects.
• Administer, resolve, and control all design, construction, contractual, and financial issues on assigned projects, including change management and issue escalation as needed.
• Oversee project completion by starting up and checking out new equipment and systems, inspecting construction, and developing and driving closure of all punch list items.
• Ensure frequent communication and conduct regularly scheduled meetings between the project team and other stakeholders to maintain alignment and address issues proactively.
• Verify that all applicable local, state, and federal regulatory requirements are met for assigned projects.
• Generate requests for proposals for purchased equipment and services as necessary and lead the procurement process for major project components.
• Lead the development of User Requirement Specifications (URS) for equipment and services, ensuring alignment with operational and regulatory needs.
• Procure, track, and close out project equipment and services purchases, maintaining accurate records and documentation.
• Provide or arrange for the development of complete design documentation for assigned projects.
• Prepare documentation necessary for project approvals, including technical, financial, and regulatory materials.
• Generate change control documentation as required to support project commissioning, validation, and compliance activities.
• Provide qualification documentation for assigned projects as applicable, ensuring alignment with cGMP and other regulated environment standards.
• Support projects across multiple facilities, including manufacturing and laboratory environments, and coordinate activities across capital equipment, packaging lines, boiler projects, warehousing projects, and related initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelors degree in Engineering, preferably Mechanical or Chemical Engineering.
• CapEx project management experience with personal responsibility for full life cycle projects, including design/initiation, concept development, scoping, planning, budgeting, commissioning, validation, and closeout.
• Proven experience managing multi-million-dollar capital projects, with individual project values of at least $50 million.
• 5+ years of experience leading and managing capital projects within cGMP and regulated environments; experience in pharmaceutical, nutrition, or related regulated industries is acceptable.
• Proficiency in project management systems and tools, including Microsoft PowerPoint and Microsoft Project, as well as experience with Microsoft Project Online or similar platforms.
• Strong interpersonal skills with the ability to build effective relationships with stakeholders at all levels.
• Demonstrated problem-solving abilities, including troubleshooting complex engineering and project issues.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to present complex information clearly to diverse audiences.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, maintain schedules and budgets, and drive projects to completion in a structured and compliant manner.
• Experience working within cGMP and other regulated environments, including adherence to validation, qualification, and change control requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Professional certification such as Project Management Professional (PMP) or Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred.
• Masters degree in a relevant engineering or technical discipline is a plus.
• Experience in capital equipment projects, including equipment fabrication, equipment build, and commissioning, is highly desirable.
• Familiarity with packaging lines, boiler projects, warehousing projects, and other facility expansion initiatives is beneficial.
• Exposure to advanced project management training or coursework, such as PMP exam preparation, Microsoft Project, stakeholder analysis, Smartsheet, or project planning, is advantageous.
• Motivation to pursue ongoing professional development through structured learning platforms and project management coursework.

Work Environment

This role supports large-scale capital projects across multiple sites, including two manufacturing facilities and one laboratory facility located in the Portage and Kalamazoo area. The Engineering Project Manager works within a highly regulated, cGMP-compliant environment that focuses on complex capital equipment, packaging lines, boiler systems, warehousing projects, and broader facility expansion initiatives. The position typically follows a standard 40-hour work week, with the possibility of overtime based on project demands and critical milestones. Projects are expected to run through at least 2029, providing long-term continuity and exposure to major capital initiatives. The work environment emphasizes collaboration with cross-functional teams, including engineering, operations, maintenance, and quality, and requires regular on-site presence to oversee construction, commissioning, and validation activities. The organization supports professional growth by providing access to a broad catalog of online learning resources after six months, including project management, certification preparation, and technical tools training. Standard holiday benefits and paid time off are available, contributing to a balanced and supportive work setting focused on scientific innovation and the advancement of animal health technologies.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Kalamazoo, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $45.00 - $80.00/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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Kalamazoo, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kalamazoo,MI.

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.