Project Engineer - Manufacturing & Capital Projects

Gerdau•Petersburg, VA

2d•Onsite

About The Position

At Gerdau, you'll do more than manage projects. You'll lead capital investments that improve safety, reliability, productivity, and performance at one of North America's largest steel manufacturers. We're seeking a Mechanical Project Engineer to manage capital projects from concept through commissioning in a fast-paced manufacturing environment. This is an excellent opportunity for an engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, working closely with operations and maintenance teams, and seeing projects come to life on the plant floor. In this role, you'll have direct ownership of equipment upgrades, facility improvements, process enhancements, and major capital projects that support our long-term growth strategy.

Requirements

Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related Engineering discipline
2+ years of engineering experience in manufacturing, industrial, energy, mining, chemical, metals, paper, food processing, utilities, or related industries
Experience managing projects, process improvements, equipment installations, or capital projects
Working knowledge of AutoCAD or similar design software
Proficiency with Microsoft Office and project management tools
Strong problem-solving, communication, and organizational skills

Nice To Haves

Experience with industrial manufacturing equipment and systems
Experience managing contractors and construction activities
Knowledge of capital project management practices
Experience in heavy industrial or steel manufacturing environments
Familiarity with commissioning, startup, and equipment optimization

Responsibilities

Manage CAPEX projects from planning through startup and project closeout
Develop project scope, schedules, budgets, and business justifications
Coordinate contractors, vendors, consultants, and internal stakeholders
Track project costs, timelines, risks, and deliverables
Ensure projects are completed safely, on time, and within budget
Identify opportunities to improve equipment reliability and operational performance
Support process improvements and productivity initiatives
Troubleshoot equipment and process issues alongside operations and maintenance teams
Evaluate new technologies and best practices for implementation
Develop equipment specifications and technical bid packages
Support equipment selection, installation, and commissioning activities
Review engineering drawings and project documentation
Manage contractor activities and construction projects within the plant
Participate in annual capital planning activities
Evaluate future facility and equipment needs
Recommend projects that improve safety, quality, productivity, and cost performance