Project Engineer

About the Role

Pinnacle Partners is recruiting for a Project Engineer in Indianapolis, IN. This position focuses on project estimating, quoting, customer communication, and managing manufacturing projects from initial review through completion. The ideal candidate will have a Mechanical Engineering degree, experience with machining or precision manufacturing, and a background managing projects from cradle to grave.

This role involves working directly with customers and internal manufacturing teams to evaluate technical requirements, develop cost estimates, coordinate project execution, and support production. The position offers exposure to a variety of industries, including aerospace, defense, nuclear, energy, and semiconductor manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop project estimates and quotations using VISUAL Manufacturing ERP software.
• Obtain material, subcontract, and outside processing quotations as needed.
• Review customer contracts and technical requirements to ensure alignment with project quotations.
• Coordinate order acknowledgments and project requirements with cross-functional team leaders.
• Manage projects from initial quoting and contract review through manufacturing and completion.
• Complete quality planning activities for assigned projects.
• Maintain part hierarchies, drawing revisions, and engineering documentation.
• Provide technical support to manufacturing, materials, and subcontracting teams.
• Review engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications to ensure manufacturing requirements are understood.
• Create fixture and process drawings as needed.
• Review and disposition Engineering Change Requests.
• Review customer change requests and evaluate their impact on project costs, schedules, and delivery.
• Communicate customer changes and project impacts to Sales and incorporate approved changes as necessary.
• Lead job release and post-job review meetings.
• Support nonconformance investigations, including disposition, root cause analysis, and corrective actions.
• Collaborate with manufacturing personnel to identify opportunities for process and performance improvements.
• Work closely with customers to address technical requirements, project updates, and manufacturing concerns.
• Maintain accurate electronic job folders and project documentation.
• Coordinate with internal engineering, manufacturing, materials, quality, and sales teams throughout the project lifecycle.
• Perform additional project engineering responsibilities as assigned.

Requirements:

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering.
• At least 5 years of experience in a Project Engineering, Project Management, or closely related engineering role.
• Previous experience quoting and estimating new manufacturing jobs.
• Experience managing projects from cradle to grave, including initial quoting, technical review, coordination, and project completion.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, blueprints, and technical specifications.
• Experience with GD&T (Geometric Dimensioning and Tolerancing).
• Previous design experience involving fixtures, products, or manufacturing processes.
• Strong understanding of manufacturing requirements and project costs.
• Experience working directly with customers and communicating technical requirements.
• Ability to evaluate engineering changes and determine their impact on cost, quality, and delivery.
• Strong organizational and project management skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.
• Ability to work cross-functionally with engineering, manufacturing, materials, quality, and sales teams.
• U.S. citizenship and ability to meet ITAR compliance requirements.

Preferred:

• Experience in precision machining, CNC machining, milling, turning, or other metal manufacturing environments.
• Experience working in aerospace, defense, nuclear, energy, or semiconductor manufacturing.
• Familiarity with ERP/MRP systems, particularly VISUAL Manufacturing.
• Experience with manufacturing estimating, quoting, and cost analysis.
• Experience with contract manufacturing and complex, high-variety production environments.
• Familiarity with material procurement, subcontracting, and outside processing.
• Experience supporting customer programs involving complex machined components and assemblies.
• Previous experience managing projects involving multiple manufacturing departments and outside vendors.

Benefits Overview:

• Annual salary ranging from approximately $90,000–$125,000.
• Quarterly bonus opportunities averaging approximately 6–8% of annual salary.
• Health plan with a Health Savings Account (HSA), with no employee premium cost for the employee and eligible dependents under the newly introduced plan.
• Onsite medical clinic that functions similarly to a primary care provider.
• Standard Monday–Friday, first-shift schedule, generally 7:00 AM–4:00 PM or 8:00 AM–5:00 PM.
• Alternative 9/80 schedule may be available, allowing employees to work additional hours during the week in exchange for every other Friday off.
• Opportunities for internal advancement into management and other departments.
• Exposure to a variety of industries, customers, and complex manufacturing projects.
• Opportunity to work for an established Indianapolis manufacturing company with a large manufacturing footprint and diverse customer base