Project Manager, Manufacturing Engineer, Operations Manager

Project Manager – Machine Tool Manufacturing

Chicago / Elgin Area | Capital Equipment | Engineered-to-Order Systems

Base compensation up to $110,000

401(k): 100% company match up to 5%, fully vested after one year

Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, life insurance

Stable global manufacturer with long-term customers and complex projects

Hands-on, technically grounded PM role (not PMO / admin-heavy)

We are partnered with a global manufacturer of precision industrial equipment with approximately $225M in annual revenue and 700+ employees across manufacturing and sales locations in the United States, Switzerland, and China
.

The organization designs and delivers custom, engineered-to-order machine systems for customers that demand high accuracy, reliability, and long-term technical support.

The Project Manager is responsible for managing capital equipment projects end-to-end
, from order kickoff through build, delivery, and installation. This role requires close coordination with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and customers.

Project Managers who are most successful in this environment typically bring prior hands-on machine experience (assembly, applications, manufacturing engineering, or field service), which enables them to anticipate issues, communicate effectively, and drive projects forward.

Location note:
This role is expected to be Chicago-area based
, with regular presence at the Elgin facility
. Hybrid flexibility may exist, but proximity is important for success.

Develop and maintain project plans using MS Project
, aligned to quoted scope, timelines, and deliverables

Coordinate with engineering, operations, supply chain, and sales to align schedules and priorities

Track budgets, milestones, risks, and resource allocation

Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle

Provide regular status updates, schedule reviews, and milestone communications

Ensure customer requirements and expectations are clearly defined and met

Oversee production, assembly, testing, and delivery of complex machine tool systems

Ensure adherence to technical specifications, quality standards, and performance requirements

Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies

Support FAT/SAT activities and final customer acceptance

Lead cross-functional project teams in a matrixed environment

Foster collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and support teams

Promote accountability, clear communication, and execution discipline

Prior experience in machine tools, capital equipment, or complex industrial machinery

Hands-on technical background strongly preferred (machine assembly, applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, field service, or similar)

Project management experience in custom or engineered-to-order environments

Comfortable working directly with customers and cross-functional teams

Proficiency with MS Project or similar project planning tools

There is no strict minimum education requirement
. Practical experience and technical credibility are more important than formal credentials.

Travel varies significantly by project and customer:

Some PMs travel regularly (e.g., weekly regional trips)

Others may have minimal or no travel over several months

Travel requirements are project-driven
, not fixed