Project Engineer

Project Engineer role supporting execution of complex engineered-to-order (ETO) centrifugal compressors as the primary technical contact for customers.

Responsibilities

• Review purchase orders, customer specifications, clarifications, deviations, and internal order documentation to confirm contract requirements are complete, accurate, and understood before execution.
• Own the technical handoff from order acceptance through shipment, translating scope into deliverables, decisions, actions, and milestones.
• Monitor technical execution against the project schedule, identify risk or schedule slippage early, and coordinate recovery actions with the Project Manager and functional teams.
• Serve as primary technical point of contact for assigned projects, providing timely communication on requirements, submittals, open items, decisions, and status.
• Lead technical discussions to resolve questions, align expectations, and document decisions while maintaining awareness of contractual commitments.
• Issue customer-facing technical documentation and provide regular schedule updates in coordination with the Project Manager.
• Track and manage scope throughout execution, including customer comments, specification changes, and drawing markups; escalate potential scope growth promptly.
• Partner with the Project Manager to assess technical, cost, and schedule impacts of customer change requests and support change order development.
• Maintain accurate records for actions, risks, and decisions so accountability and due dates remain clear.
• Coordinate preparation, review, and transmittal of contract documents, including drawings, data sheets, test reports, manuals, and project-specific technical documentation.
• Create and maintain the Inspection and Test Plan (ITP), coordinate customer witness and hold points, and support inspections and performance testing.
• Partner with Quality on pre-shipment inspection and customer coordination.
• Support revenue-recognition activities by helping confirm completion of applicable technical and contractual milestones.
• Apply working knowledge of centrifugal compressors and associated systems, including gearboxes, lubrication systems, intercoolers, controls, motors or drivers, and auxiliary equipment.
• Review major buyout and supplier documentation for alignment with project requirements.
• Provide technical support for proposals, field questions, troubleshooting, and post-shipment activities when needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Mechanical, Electrical, or Chemical Engineering.
• 3-5 years of relevant experience in an industrial, manufacturing, or engineered-to-order environment.
• Understanding of engineering, manufacturing, inspection, testing, and supplier processes.
• General knowledge of centrifugal compressor systems is strongly preferred.
• Ability to manage multiple deliverables, priorities, interfaces, and deadlines in a technical project environment.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills with customers, suppliers, and cross-functional teams; ability to build trusted working relationships.
• Accountable, organized, proactive, collaborative, and detail-oriented approach with sound judgment and commitment to quality.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications.
• Experience with scheduling, spreadsheet, collaboration, and document-control tools is expected.
• Experience with ERP and business systems such as SAP or Oracle is preferred.
• Experience reading engineering drawings and specifications required; 3D modeling or drafting experience is a plus.

Technologies

• Microsoft 365
• SAP
• Oracle

Benefits

• Health care options including medical and prescription plans, dental and vision coverage, plus wellness programs.
• Life insurance.
• Robust 401(k) plan.
• Paid time off.
• Employee stock grant.

Location: Buffalo, NY (onsite)

Travel requirement: 10% domestic and international travel.

Salary range: USD 80,000 - 95,000 per year.

Job Overview

• Primary technical point of contact for customers during execution of complex ETO centrifugal compressors.
• Translate contractual and customer requirements into an executable technical plan.
• Coordinate engineering, manufacturing, quality, sourcing, vendors, and project management while maintaining visibility to scope, schedule, documentation, risk, change, and project financial health.

How success is demonstrated

• Contract requirements are translated into complete, accurate, and actionable technical direction.
• Customers and internal stakeholders receive timely, clear, and consistent communication.
• Risks, scope changes, and schedule impacts are identified early and managed with documented ownership.
• Project documentation, inspections, testing, and shipment activities are completed in alignment with contractual requirements.
• Cross-functional teams rely on the Project Engineer for technical leadership, follow-through, and informed decision support.