Sr. Project Engineer
Location: Hilmar, CA
Additional Opportunities Available: Dodge City, KS and Dalhart, TX
Compensation: $120,000 - $160,000 Base Salary (Depending on Experience)
Bonus: Up to 14% Annual Performance Bonus
Relocation Assistance: Up to $15,000
Schedule: Full-Time, Onsite (Monday-Friday)
Travel: 0–15%
About the Opportunity
Our client is a well-established manufacturing organization with multiple production facilities across the United States. Due to continued growth and capital investment initiatives, the company is seeking an experienced Sr. Project Engineer to lead the planning, execution, and delivery of strategic capital projects.
While this position is being advertised in Hilmar, CA, qualified candidates may also be considered for opportunities located in Dodge City, KS and Dalhart, TX.
This role offers the opportunity to manage significant capital projects from concept through commissioning while partnering with operations, maintenance, engineering, and leadership teams to improve facility performance, reliability, safety, and operational efficiency.
Key Responsibilities
- Manage 4–5 capital projects simultaneously and commission 10–15 projects annually, with total project investments up to $20 million.
- Lead the full project lifecycle, including concept development, scope definition, estimating, scheduling, funding requests, detailed engineering, construction, commissioning, and validation.
- Develop and manage project budgets, forecasts, schedules, procurement activities, contractor performance, and project risks.
- Provide technical leadership and mentorship to less-experienced engineers and project team members.
- Maintain engineering documentation, including P&IDs, BOMs, equipment specifications, and field modifications.
- Ensure compliance with all applicable regulatory, environmental, quality, and safety requirements.
- Partner with Manufacturing, Maintenance, Quality, R&D, Safety, Environmental, Accounting, and Operations Leadership to successfully execute projects.
- Lead vendor engagements including RFP development, equipment specification reviews, bid evaluations, pricing negotiations, and contractor coordination.
- Apply engineering principles including process engineering, thermodynamics, fluid mechanics, process controls, risk analysis, and lifecycle asset management to support project decisions.
- Prepare and deliver presentations to leadership regarding project design, investment decisions, schedules, risks, and project performance.
What a Typical Week Looks Like
- Driving project execution from engineering design through construction and startup.
- Coordinating activities with contractors, vendors, engineering firms, and internal stakeholders.
- Reviewing engineering drawings, project schedules, cost forecasts, and risk assessments.
- Leading project review meetings and providing updates to leadership teams.
- Managing project budgets and ensuring milestones are achieved on schedule.
- Balancing office-based project management responsibilities with field support and site presence during project execution.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from an ABET-accredited program and 5+ years of related experience, OR a Master's Degree in Engineering and 3+ years of related experience.
- 3–5+ years of experience within manufacturing, industrial processing, biotechnology, pharmaceutical, food production, chemical processing, energy, or related industries.
- Demonstrated experience managing capital projects in manufacturing or process environments.
- 3+ years of Process Engineering experience.
- Strong project management, organization, and problem-solving skills.
- Excellent communication skills with the ability to effectively communicate technical and business concepts.
- Strong engineering judgment and the ability to develop practical, innovative solutions.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite.
- Demonstrated leadership, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement mindset.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's Degree with 7+ years of related experience or Master's Degree with 4+ years of related experience.
- Experience working within regulated manufacturing environments.
- PMP, PMI-RMP, IAM, or other project management and asset management certifications.
- Experience with Microsoft Project, Planview, or similar project management software.
- Experience managing complex capital projects involving equipment installations, facility expansions, process improvements, or operational efficiency initiatives.
Physical Demands & Work Environment
- Combination of office and industrial manufacturing environments.
- Regular walking, standing, climbing stairs, and navigating production facilities.
- Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) required in designated operational areas.
- Exposure to temperature-controlled and non-temperature-controlled environments.
- Frequent interaction with plant personnel, contractors, vendors, and leadership teams.
Compensation & Benefits
- Competitive base salary of $120,000 - $160,000, depending on education, experience, and qualifications.
- Up to 14% target annual bonus.
- Relocation assistance up to $15,000.
- Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage.
- 401(k) with company match.
- Paid time off and company holidays.
- Opportunity to lead high-visibility capital projects with significant business impact.
- Long-term career growth opportunities within a stable and growing organization.
Work Authorization Requirement
Applicants must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for current or future employer sponsorship. This position is not eligible for visa sponsorship. C2C arrangements and third-party candidate submissions cannot be considered.
Apply Today
If you're an experienced Project Engineer who thrives in a manufacturing or process-driven environment and enjoys leading capital projects from concept to completion, we'd like to hear from you.
Location options include Hilmar, CA, Dodge City, KS, and Dalhart, TX. Relocation assistance is available for qualified candidates.
Pay: $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Dental insurance
- Employee assistance program
- Health insurance
- Health savings account
- Life insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
- Vision insurance
Application Question(s):
- Have you personally led capital projects through design, construction, commissioning, and startup?
- Are you authorized to work in the United States without current or future employer sponsorship?
- Which location(s) are you interested in for this opportunity? (Hilmar, CA; Dodge City, KS; Dalhart, TX; or Open to Any Location)
- Please briefly describe your experience managing capital projects in a manufacturing or industrial environment, including approximate project budgets.
- Which manufacturing or process industries have you worked in? Please list all that apply.
- Please provide the URL to your active LinkedIn profile.
Work Location: In person
