Operations Project Engineer

Position Overview

Come be DISRUPTIVE with us! At Milwaukee Tool, our most valued resource is our dedicated team of employees – individuals who work with passion to be the best and take unparalleled pride in their work and in the Milwaukee brand. We invest in the growth and development of each person from day one.

Our Operations teams play a crucial role in driving continuous innovations by collaborating across every step of the process. By leveraging advanced analysis tools, extensive testing regimes, state-of-the-art manufacturing processes, and cross-functional agility, we create Best in Class products that meet high performance and quality standards.

We are currently seeking a skilled and motivated Operations Project Engineer. In this role, you will oversee the planning, execution, and completion of manufacturing projects, working closely with cross-functional teams—including NPD project leaders, project managers, designers, and technicians—to ensure projects are delivered within scope, budget, and schedule while meeting quality and safety standards. You will also work directly with manufacturing cells to improve processes and reduce costs through machine improvements, capacity projects, and DFMEA design changes.

Key Responsibilities

• Collaborate with project leaders to define project objectives, scope, and deliverables.
• Develop detailed project plans, including schedules, budgets, and resource allocation, to ensure timely and efficient project execution.
• Lead multiple medium scale operations projects for new product development, process improvement, and manufacturing support; provide project management and technical problem-solving support on high complexity projects as needed.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential risks and issues, and implement proactive measures to ensure milestones and objectives are met.
• Work primarily at the Mukwonago manufacturing plant (approximately 95% of the time) and make regular visits to the downtown Milwaukee corporate office as required for in-person meetings.
• Provide technical or manufacturing guidance and support to project teams, including designers, technicians, and contractors, ensuring successful completion of project tasks.
• Evaluate product design relative to material selection, cost, reliability, and manufacturability, offering improvement ideas and making component, material, or process recommendations.
• Collaborate with suppliers, contractors, and corporate teams to resolve conflicts and ensure project requirements are met.
• Interact with operations, quality, and suppliers to develop processes that meet part/product specifications and performance requirements.
• Perform basic capacity analysis and costing to support project decisions and validate requirements.
• Monitor project budgets, track expenses, and report financials to stakeholders, ensuring adherence to approved budgets and cost control measures.
• Foster a culture of quality and safety throughout the project, promoting adherence to relevant codes, standards, and best practices.
• Continuously evaluate project performance, identify areas for improvement, and implement lessons learned in future projects.

Required Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor of Science Degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, Engineering Mechanics, Operations, or Mechanical/Manufacturing Engineering Technology or related work experience.
• Experience Required: 1+ years experience working as a project leader or in a similar role.
• Strong manufacturing knowledge and an understanding of operations principles, practices, and standards relevant to the industry.
• Proficiency in project management methodologies and tools, including project scheduling, budgeting, and resource management.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills to effectively collaborate with cross-functional teams, stakeholders, and clients.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities with keen attention to detail.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment, managing multiple projects simultaneously while meeting deadlines.
• Demonstrated leadership skills with the ability to motivate and guide project teams.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in plastic injection molding and stamping.
• Knowledge of quality management systems and safety regulations related to engineering projects.
• Experience with ERP systems and Warehouse Management Systems (WMS), with Microsoft Dynamics AX and High Jump being a plus.