Project Engineer

Energy Talent Search is working with a manufacturing company in the Anaheim area that’s continuing to invest heavily in plant modernization, automation, and operational infrastructure improvements across its manufacturing operations.

This is a highly visible engineering role supporting electrical systems, controls, instrumentation, and capital project execution inside a complex industrial manufacturing environment. The company operates within highly engineered materials and specialty manufacturing environments serving industries tied to aerospace, advanced industrial applications, energy transition technologies, and next-generation manufacturing.

They’re looking for someone who can operate independently inside a plant environment, manage projects from concept through commissioning, and work closely with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and leadership teams.

This is NOT a purely desk-based design engineering role.

The environment is much more focused on:

• plant execution

• automation

• modernization

• electrical infrastructure

• operational reliability

• controls integration

• capital project delivery

What You’ll Actually Be Doing

• Leading plant-based electrical and automation projects tied to manufacturing operations, equipment upgrades, reliability improvements, and infrastructure modernization

• Managing projects from initial planning through commissioning and operational turnover

• Supporting automation systems tied to manufacturing equipment, process lines, and plant operations

• Working heavily with PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, instrumentation, MCCs, VFDs, industrial controls, and power distribution systems

• Coordinating contractors, integrators, electricians, vendors, and internal operations teams throughout project execution

• Driving project schedules, budgets, procurement activities, technical reviews, and implementation timelines

• Supporting commissioning, troubleshooting, startup activities, testing, and operational integration

• Assisting with instrumentation, calibration processes, controls troubleshooting, and overall manufacturing support as needed

• Helping improve plant reliability, operational efficiency, and modernization initiatives tied to automation and controls

• Supporting projects involving machine controls, industrial networking, electrical upgrades, and process improvement efforts

What the Role Feels Like

• Highly hands-on engineering environment tied closely to real manufacturing operations

• Mix of project execution, automation support, plant modernization, troubleshooting, and operational improvement work

• Visible role internally with strong interaction across engineering, operations, maintenance, and leadership teams

• Fast-moving manufacturing environment where priorities can shift quickly based on operational demands and project timelines

• Strong balance between technical engineering work and practical plant execution

Why This Role Stands Out

• Opportunity to work inside a technically sophisticated manufacturing environment rather than a basic production facility

• Exposure to automation, modernization, IIOT initiatives, and advanced industrial technologies

• High project ownership and visibility

• Stable global organization with significant investment in manufacturing operations and engineering infrastructure

• Strong long-term career growth potential within advanced manufacturing and industrial engineering environments

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering strongly preferred

• Roughly 7+ years of experience inside industrial or manufacturing environments

• Minimum 3+ years of experience leading or heavily supporting capital projects

• Strong background involving:

  • automation

  • controls

  • instrumentation

  • industrial electrical systems

  • manufacturing operations

• Experience with:

  • PLCs

  • SCADA/HMI systems

  • MCCs

  • VFDs

  • industrial controls

  • power distribution systems

• Experience with platforms such as:

  • Allen-Bradley/Rockwell

  • Siemens

  • Schneider
    or similar industrial automation environments

• Strong understanding of:

  • commissioning

  • electrical troubleshooting

  • contractor/vendor coordination

  • project execution

  • manufacturing equipment and process lines

• Ability to operate independently and communicate effectively with operations, maintenance, vendors, contractors, and leadership

• Experience inside continuous processes or complex manufacturing environments is highly attractive

• Candidates coming strictly from commercial construction, utility-only environments, consulting engineering firms, or purely office-based design engineering roles likely will NOT be a fit.

Benefits

• Approximate base salary range: $110K – $155 depending on background and overall fit

• 8% bonus opportunity

• Full benefits package included

• Potential sign-on assistance may be available in certain situations

• Anaheim-area onsite role

• No relocation assistance being offered

• Long-term growth opportunity within a global advanced manufacturing organization