Sr. Project Engineer

Senior Project Engineer - CAPEX

Onsite
- Gurnee, Illinois

The Senior Project Engineer – CAPEX is responsible for leading the end-to-end execution of capital projects across multiple manufacturing sites within our Purpose Built Brands division. This role oversees the full project lifecycle—from concept development and facility layout through installation, commissioning, and final handover.

The ideal candidate is a results‑driven project leader with deep technical knowledge in manufacturing operations, packaging automation, chemical formulation, and regulatory compliance. The role demands strong collaboration across cross‑functional teams and external vendors, along with the ability to manage complexity, ambiguity, and competing priorities in a fast‑paced consumer products environment.

• Lead multiple capital projects simultaneously, ensuring alignment with operational goals and long‑term business strategy.
• Develop project scopes, technical specifications, equipment requirements, facility layouts, and execution plans in collaboration with internal stakeholders.
• Prepare and manage Capital Expenditure Requests (CERs), from concept through closure, including budgeting, ROI analysis, and financial tracking (POs, invoicing, forecasting).
• Direct cross‑functional teams and external vendors to ensure safe, efficient, and timely project execution.
• Model and analyze manufacturing capacity to support expansion, throughput improvements, and cost savings.
• Oversee equipment procurement, factory acceptance testing (FAT), installation, commissioning, and site acceptance testing (SAT).
• Ensure projects comply with safety, quality, regulatory, and environmental standards.
• Apply lean manufacturing and continuous improvement principles to project planning and execution.
• Provide engineering leadership, mentorship, and guidance to junior engineers and site teams.
• Drive validation protocols and process qualification efforts for new or modified systems.

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Industrial, Chemical Engineering, or related field.
• Minimum 5 years of progressively responsible engineering experience in high‑speed manufacturing environments (CPG industry preferred; bottle filling a plus).
• Proven success managing large capital projects ($300K–$2M+) from concept through startup in multi‑site operations.
• Strong working knowledge of packaging automation, chemical batching, and liquid handling processes.
• High proficiency in AutoCAD for layout development and equipment design integration.
• Experience with project management software.
• Solid understanding of validation, process safety, and regulatory compliance (OSHA, EPA, FDA as applicable).
• Exceptional communication, leadership, and organizational skills.
• Comfortable working in a fast‑paced, lean environment with shifting priorities and ambiguous situations.
• Experience in consumer goods, personal care, food, or chemical manufacturing.
• Familiarity with PLC‑based control systems.
• PMP certification or formal project management training is an advantage.

$92,600 – $113,200

• Flexible work options (fully remote, hybrid, onsite)
• Generous paid time off
• Competitive salaries and bonus incentives
• 401(k) company match
• Competitive medical, dental, & vision insurance
• Pet insurance
• Annual fitness stipend
• Unmatched employee discount on all products
• Summer Hours
• Linked In Learning membership

Purpose Built Brands is an equal‑opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law.