Project Engineer

Avantor is seeking a Project Engineer to lead engineering projects and deliver technical expertise across complex assignments from concept through completion. In this onsite role in Carpinteria, CA, you will manage medium- to large-scale project efforts with a focus on safe execution, schedule adherence, budget control, and compliance with quality and regulatory expectations.

As a key engineering resource, you will coordinate major project phases, support decision-making through technical analysis, and help ensure deliverables meet applicable standards. This full-time position includes independent work under general supervision, with opportunities to provide guidance and support to other team members involved in delivery.

Key Responsibilities

• Coordinate and drive engineering projects, ensuring alignment across objectives, schedules, budgets, and quality expectations.
• Manage multiple project assignments at once while balancing technical, operational, and business needs.
• Analyze engineering challenges, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical, cost-effective solutions.
• Support budgeting activities, including cost evaluations, forecasting, and financial tracking to maintain approved funding levels.
• Monitor project progress, identify potential issues, and recommend corrective actions to support schedule, cost, quality, and technical objectives.
• Act as a technical resource and subject matter expert for assigned areas, providing guidance to project teams and stakeholders.
• Collaborate with internal stakeholders and external partners including contractors, vendors, consultants, and subcontractors to facilitate execution.
• Review engineering designs, calculations, specifications, and drawings to ensure technical accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
• Participate in risk identification, mitigation planning, and issue resolution throughout the project lifecycle.
• Support compliance with safety policies, environmental regulations, quality standards, and industry best practices.
• Prepare and communicate project updates, technical analyses, schedules, and recommendations to leadership and cross-functional stakeholders.
• Assist with contractor management, including reviewing invoices, verifying work completion, and supporting project expenditure approvals.
• Provide technical guidance during planning, construction, startup, commissioning, and validation activities.
• Perform engineering calculations such as static and dynamic load analyses, energy balances, and process evaluations as needed.
• Develop and maintain Process and Instrumentation Diagrams (P&IDs) for new and existing systems using AutoCAD.
• Create and review site layouts, equipment layouts, and construction drawings using AutoCAD.
• Develop and maintain 3D models and equipment designs using SOLIDWORKS.
• Produce detailed 2D and 3D drawings to support fabrication, installation, and construction activities.
• Develop and maintain project schedules using Microsoft Project and provide completion forecasts and status updates.
• Share technical knowledge and best practices with Project Engineers and other team members to support skill development and effectiveness.
• Contribute to improvements in project management and engineering processes to enhance project execution and operational efficiency.
• Build collaborative relationships across functions to support alignment toward project and business objectives.
• Participate in continuous improvement initiatives focused on engineering excellence, project delivery, and operational performance.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

Qualifications

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical discipline preferred.
• Experience: 5–8+ years of engineering and project management experience in a manufacturing, industrial, pharmaceutical, food processing, or related environment.
• Demonstrated experience managing engineering projects from conception through completion.
• Experience working with contractors, vendors, and cross-functional teams.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Experience with capital projects, facility improvements, process systems, and equipment installations.
• Experience in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Advanced analytical and problem-solving abilities with strong application of engineering principles.
• Strong project planning, budgeting, and organizational skills.
• Leadership and mentoring capabilities.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Ability to influence and collaborate across multiple functional areas.
• Strong decision-making and risk assessment skills.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, SOLIDWORKS, Microsoft Project, and Microsoft Office.
• Knowledge of applicable safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements.
• Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.

Tools and Technologies

• AutoCAD
• SOLIDWORKS
• Microsoft Project
• Microsoft Office

Location and Compensation

• Location: Carpinteria, CA (onsite)
• Salary: USD 86,000 - 120,000 per year
• Experience: 5 years minimum

About Avantor

• Avantor supports discovery and determination to advance life-changing science.
• The company’s work aims to help bring new patient treatments and therapies to market.
• Avantor emphasizes learning experiences and a diverse, equitable, and inclusive culture.

Equal Opportunity: Avantor is proud to be an equal opportunity employer.