Project Engineer

The Project Engineer leads new product development and launch activities for plastic injection molded and precision-engineered components from initial concept through production readiness. This role manages complex projects in an automotive or similarly regulated environment, coordinating cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers to ensure successful program execution. The Project Engineer drives design optimization, tooling and process validation, and continuous improvement initiatives while supporting technical needs across engineering, manufacturing, quality, sales, and customer interfaces.

• Lead new product development and launch activities from concept through production readiness for plastic injection molded and precision-engineered components.
• Manage project timelines, deliverables, risks, and cross-functional coordination to ensure successful program execution.
• Support Advanced Product Quality Planning (APQP) activities, Production Part Approval Process (PPAP) submissions, engineering changes, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Plan and lead design reviews, feasibility studies, manufacturability evaluations, and Design of Experiments (DOE) activities to optimize product and process performance.
• Coordinate prototype development using 3D printing, rapid tooling, machining, and related methods to validate design and manufacturing approaches.
• Support tooling design, tooling tryouts, process validation, and production launch activities for molding and stamping operations.
• Drive value engineering, product improvements, and cost-reduction initiatives across new and existing programs.
• Prepare technical evaluations, feasibility assessments, and detailed cost analyses for new and existing programs.
• Collaborate with suppliers and vendors on tooling, materials, automation, testing, and equipment requirements to support successful launches.
• Support development of automotive injection molded components, overmolded, insert-molded, lamination stack, and lead frame components for electrical applications.
• Provide technical support to customers, sales, quality, and manufacturing teams, resolving issues and addressing technical questions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with automotive original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Tier suppliers, and key customers.
• Manage multiple projects concurrently, including 1–2 large programs and several smaller initiatives, while supporting customer requests and corrective actions.
• Work with production leaders to coordinate the launch of new business, ensuring tooling, processes, and documentation are ready for production.
• Perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components to verify performance and quality.
• Conduct visual inspections of parts, tooling, drawings, and product features to identify defects and dimensional variations.
• Travel to customer, supplier, and manufacturing locations as required to support project activities, launches, and technical reviews.

• At least 3 years of plastic injection molding experience, including a solid understanding of molding processes and tooling fundamentals.
• At least 3 years of tool and die experience related to plastics, with knowledge of processing and the tooling perspective of injection molding.
• At least 3 years of project management experience in an automotive or highly regulated environment such as medical or consumer products.
• Proven experience managing projects from concept to completion, including quoting, receiving purchase orders, and driving parts through customer approval.
• Strong understanding of project gate cycles and stage-gate processes for product development and launch.
• Knowledge of plastic injection molding, tooling, and tooling quotes, including cost drivers and manufacturability considerations.
• Experience in product development, manufacturing engineering, or project engineering within automotive or precision manufacturing environments.
• Knowledge of injection molding, metal stamping, tooling, and manufacturing process validation.
• Experience with APQP, PPAP, DOE, and continuous improvement methodologies.
• Strong project management skills with the ability to organize, prioritize, and manage multiple concurrent projects.
• Effective communication skills for working with cross-functional teams, suppliers, and customers.
• Demonstrated cross-functional leadership capabilities and the ability to influence without direct authority.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment while maintaining attention to detail and quality.

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field is preferred.
• Experience supporting electric motor or precision-engineered component applications is a plus.
• Familiarity with automotive industry practices and requirements is beneficial.
• Experience collaborating with OEMs and Tier suppliers on technical and commercial aspects of programs.
• Ability to perform hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components.
• Ability to prepare clear technical reports, feasibility assessments, and cost analyses for internal and external stakeholders.

This role operates in both office and manufacturing environments, requiring regular interaction with engineering, production, quality, and supplier teams on the shop floor and in meeting rooms. The position involves performing hands-on evaluations of molds, tooling, fixtures, machinery, and manufactured components, as well as visual inspection of parts, tooling, drawings, and product features to identify defects and dimensional variations. The role may require occasionally lifting and carrying up to 25 pounds while working around production equipment and tooling. Travel to customer, supplier, and manufacturing locations is required as needed to support project activities, launches, and technical reviews. The work setting is fast-paced and focused on automotive and precision manufacturing applications, with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and collaboration.

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

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Kenosha,WI.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.