Project Engineer

Job Title: Project EngineerJob Description

The Project Engineer leads new product development and launch activities from concept through production readiness within an automotive and precision manufacturing environment. This role manages project timelines, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination while supporting advanced product quality planning, process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives for injection molded and stamped components.

Responsibilities

• Lead new product development and launch activities from initial concept through full production readiness.
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination to ensure successful program execution.
• Support APQP activities, PPAP submissions, engineering changes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Conduct and lead design reviews, feasibility studies, and manufacturability evaluations to optimize product and process performance.
• Plan and execute DOE (Design of Experiments) activities to improve product quality and manufacturing efficiency.
• Coordinate prototype development using 3D printing, rapid tooling, machining, and related methods.
• Support tooling design, tooling tryouts, process validation, and production launch activities for molding and stamping operations.
• Drive value engineering projects, product improvements, and cost-reduction initiatives for new and existing programs.
• Prepare technical evaluations, feasibility assessments, and cost analyses for new and existing products and programs.
• Collaborate with suppliers and vendors on tooling, materials, automation, testing, and equipment requirements.
• Support the development of automotive injection molded components, overmolded and insert-molded parts, lamination stacks, and lead frame components for electrical applications.
• Provide technical support to customers, sales, quality, and manufacturing teams on product and process-related issues.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with automotive OEMs, Tier suppliers, and key customers.
• Work with production teams to coordinate the launch of new business and ensure smooth transition into manufacturing.
• Perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components to verify performance and quality.

Essential Skills

• Experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, or project engineering within an automotive or precision manufacturing environment.
• Strong knowledge of plastic injection molding processes and related tooling.
• Knowledge of metal stamping, tooling design, and manufacturing process validation.
• Experience with APQP (Advanced Product Quality Planning) and PPAP (Production Part Approval Process).
• Experience with DOE (Design of Experiments) and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Demonstrated project management skills, including planning, scheduling, and risk management.
• Strong communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across cross-functional teams.
• Ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously in a fast-paced environment.
• Ability to provide technical support on tooling, materials, and manufacturing processes.
• Ability to visually inspect parts, tooling, drawings, and product features and identify defects and dimensional variations.
• Ability to perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Engineering or a related technical field preferred.
• Experience supporting electric motor or precision-engineered component applications is a plus.
• Experience working with motor components and automotive industry programs is beneficial.
• Familiarity with rapid prototyping methods such as 3D printing, rapid tooling, and machining.
• Ability to build strong relationships with OEMs, Tier suppliers, and key customers.
• Strong cross-functional leadership capabilities and customer-focused mindset.

Work Environment

This role operates in both office and manufacturing environments, requiring regular collaboration with engineering, production, quality, and supplier teams. The position involves hands-on work on the shop floor, including evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components. The role may occasionally require lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds and frequent visual inspection of parts, tooling, drawings, and product features to identify defects and dimensional variations. Travel to customer, supplier, and manufacturing locations may be required to support program launches, tooling activities, and technical reviews.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Kenosha, WI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $48.07 - $57.69/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 to Hire position based out of Kenosha, WI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 23, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Kenosha,WI.

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.