Project Engineer
Date Posted: September 14, 2026
Location: Oxford, NC
Job Type: Full-Time Salary
Job Summary
The Project Engineer is responsible for leading the design, development, validation, and launch of new products while managing cross-functional projects from concept through production. This position combines strong engineering design capabilities with project management leadership to deliver innovative, high-quality products that meet customer, regulatory, manufacturing, and business requirements.
The ideal candidate possesses a strong background in mechanical product design, engineering analysis, new product development, and project leadership within a manufacturing environment.
Essential Functions
Product Design & Development
- Lead the design and development of medium to complex products from concept through production launch.
- Create and review engineering drawings, 3D models, specifications, test plans, and technical documentation.
- Develop products such as valves, fluid handling components, electromechanical devices, automotive components, industrial equipment, or other engineered products.
- Apply engineering principles to solve technical challenges involving performance, reliability, manufacturability, and cost.
- Conduct engineering calculations and analyses to support design decisions.
- Utilize analytical tools including:
- Finite Element Analysis (FEA)
- Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD)
- Tolerance Stack-Up Analysis
- Thermal Analysis
- Fatigue and Stress Analysis
- Design of Experiments (DOE)
- Root Cause Analysis
- Statistical Analysis and Validation Methods
- Lead prototype development, testing, validation, and design refinement activities.
- Support manufacturing, quality, and supplier teams during product launch and production.
New Product Development
- Lead projects through a structured New Product Development (NPD) process.
- Facilitate design reviews and technical reviews throughout development.
- Develop and maintain:
- Design Failure Mode and Effects Analysis (DFMEA)
- Design Verification Plans and Reports (DVP&R)
- Risk Assessments
- Design for Manufacturability (DFM)
- Design for Assembly (DFA)
- Product Validation Plans
- Ensure designs comply with applicable customer, regulatory, and industry requirements.
- Identify technical risks early and develop mitigation plans.
Project Management
- Lead cross-functional project teams from concept through production implementation.
- Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, risk registers, and action item lists.
- Utilize project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or equivalent software.
- Facilitate project meetings and communicate project status to stakeholders and leadership.
- Drive accountability and timely completion of project deliverables.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously while balancing priorities and resources.
Cross-Functional Leadership
- Collaborate with:
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Quality Engineering
- Operations
- Procurement
- Suppliers
- Customers
- Sales and Marketing
- Executive Leadership
- Coordinate supplier development activities related to new product launches.
- Support customer meetings, technical presentations, and product demonstrations as required.
- Mentor junior engineers and provide technical guidance across project teams.
Qualifications
- Proven experience leading engineering projects from concept through production launch.
- Strong CAD experience using SolidWorks or equivalent 3D modeling software.
- Experience with engineering analysis tools including FEA and tolerance analysis.
- Experience with structured New Product Development processes.
- Excellent verbal, written, and presentation skills.
- Strong problem-solving and analytical abilities.
Experience
- Minimum 5 years of engineering experience in product design, product development, or manufacturing engineering.
Education
- Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
Benefits
- 401K plan
- Paid Time Off
- Health Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance
Additional Information
The successful candidate will demonstrate:
- Strong technical design capability.
- Excellent project planning and execution skills.
- Effective communication and leadership.
- Ability to drive projects to completion.
- Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
- High sense of ownership and accountability.
- Ability to influence cross-functional teams without direct authority.