Project Engineering

Job Purpose

The Project Engineering role manages engineering projects from conception to completion, ensuring they are delivered on time and within budget.

Strategic Focus: 

• Capacity Expansion and Debottlenecking: Increase plant throughput to support business growth while maximizing utilization of existing assets.
• Product Portfolio Growth: Enable the introduction of new products and manufacturing capabilities that support business diversification and growth.
• CapEx Execution Excellence: Build a disciplined project execution model that consistently delivers projects safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Reliability and Asset Improvement: Improve plant reliability and reduce unplanned downtime through strategic investments.

Key Responsibilities

Project Management

• Lead the development and execution of capital projects ranging from $1MM to $3MM, focused on process improvements, capacity expansion, operational reliability, and new product innovations.
• Manage all phases of the project lifecycle including concept development, scope definition, engineering design, procurement, construction, commissioning, startup, and project closeout.
• Use project management skills to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget.
• Coordinate activities among operations, maintenance, engineering, quality, procurement, contractors, and external engineering firms.
• Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies to minimize impacts to cost, schedule, and plant operations.
• Prepare and present project updates, business cases, and capital appropriation requests to corporate leadership.
• Manage contractor performance and ensure adherence to safety, quality, and project execution requirements.

Process Improvement

• Identify and implement process optimization opportunities to improve throughput, product quality, equipment reliability, and operating efficiency.
• Lead continuous improvement initiatives utilizing Lean Manufacturing, Six Sigma, Root Cause Analysis, and other operational excellence methodologies.
• Collaborate with operations teams to troubleshoot process issues and implement sustainable corrective actions.

Engineering & Technical Leadership

• BS Engineering; Preferred Mechanical, Industrial, or Chemical focus
• 4-6 Years Experience in manufacturing environment
• Computer literacy (Microsoft Office, SAP, CAD)
• Familiarity with Project Management principals
• Must be able to manage multiple deadlines with competing priorities
• Strong problem-solving skills
• Proven ability to analyze/interpret data and compile reports

Qualifications

• Delivers expert work in Process Engineering with high quality and timeliness, applying best practices and standards.
• Executes process engineering and/or industrialization projects by applying knowledge and expertise. - Builds knowledge and expertise within core competence subdomain.- Owns complex tasks in process engineering, safety standards, producing accurate outputs and identifying risks or anomalies proactively.
• Analyzes problems, recommends options, and implements improvements in methods, tools, or data flows.
• Collaborates with adjacent teams and stakeholders, communicating insights and recommendations clearly.
• Collaborates cross-functionally to deliver high-quality outcomes and knowledge sharing.
• Contributes to continuous improvement by identifying and implementing process enhancements.

Personal skills

• Ability to communicate effectively across all levels of the organization
• Ability to prioritize and work independently with minimal supervision
• Safety and Quality mindset to achieve results
• Self-motivated and goal oriented
• Work within Umicore Core Values (Courage, Collaboration and Accountability)
• Capable of taking leadership responsibilities while maintaining relationships with colleagues and direct reports
• Capable of mediating between employees and managers to maintain good relationships
• Conflict management