Project Engineer

Amcor • Mankato, MN

16h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Project Engineer serves as a primary technical partner to customers, responsible for translating customer needs into successful tooling and product solutions. This role builds strong, trust-based customer relationships by proactively engaging throughout the project lifecycle—from quotation through production and approval—ensuring customer expectations are clearly understood, met, and exceeded. The Project Engineer collaborates cross-functionally with Sales, Quality, Manufacturing, and external vendors to deliver high-quality, cost-effective solutions while acting as a consistent, reliable technical point of contact for customers.

Requirements

• Strong customer communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain technical information clearly to non-technical stakeholders.
• Ability to read, interpret, and communicate detailed information from blueprints, samples, and conceptual designs.
• Proficiency in thermoforming manufacturing processes.
• Proficiency in SolidWorks for product and tool design.
• Strong understanding of tooling fabrication methods, equipment, and manufacturing workflows.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization, as well as with customers and external vendors.
• Comfortable working in both office and manufacturing environments, with the ability to travel to customer and vendor locations as required.
• Ability to read, comprehend, and transmit detailed instructions from blueprints, conceptual samples and ideas.
• Proficient in the use of CAD for tool design.
• Understanding of tool fabrication methods and CAD equipment and operation.
• Ability to work with co-workers at all levels throughout organization, also including outside vendors and customers.
• Ability to work in office environment as well as capable of spending time throughout machine shop and plant.
• Travel to outside vendors and customers required.
• Four-year degree in Engineering.
• Minimum of three (3) to five (5) years of related experience with thermoforming processes, equipment, materials, and tool fabrication.

Nice To Haves

• Demonstrated experience working directly with customers in a technical or project-based role preferred.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted technical liaison between customers, Sales, and internal teams to ensure customer requirements are clearly understood and executed.
• Proactively communicate project status, timelines, risks, and changes to customers, fostering transparency and confidence.
• Partner with Sales in customer meetings, calls, and on-site visits to support new business development, strengthen existing relationships, and identify opportunities for value-added solutions.
• Support customers during sample approval, design reviews, and production ramp-up by addressing concerns swiftly and thoroughly.
• Build long-term customer relationships by understanding customer processes, priorities, and success metrics.
• Review all customer-supplied documentation and inputs for new orders, including quality requirements, drawings, tolerances, and specifications.
• Analyze customer requirements for feasibility, manufacturability, cost, and process capability; identify and resolve gaps or concerns early.
• Recommend improvements to part design, tooling, or manufacturing methods that enhance quality, reduce cost, and improve overall customer satisfaction.
• Monitor and manage projects from kickoff through completion, ensuring alignment with customer expectations and internal execution standards.
• Establish completion dates for prototype and production tools in collaboration with Tooling Supervisor, Design Manager, and Production Control.
• Complete all required technical documentation, including quotation support, 7128 forms, engineering change orders (ECOs), drawings, layouts, sketches, and process notes.
• Personally design tools and products as workload permits, ensuring designs align with customer specifications and manufacturability.
• Review master and production samples to confirm compliance with customer requirements and critical dimensions prior to approval and submission.
• Maintain accurate revision control and documentation within the central file via the ECO system.
• Maintain production product samples for use by Sales as visual aids in customer presentations.
• Interface with Purchasing and outside vendors to coordinate secondary operations and outsourced processes, ensuring quality and delivery expectations are met.
• Collaborate closely with internal departments—including Quality, Manufacturing, Tooling, and Sales—to resolve issues and drive successful outcomes.
• Support continuous improvement and Lean Six Sigma initiatives that improve customer experience, responsiveness, and product quality.
• Work safely and promote a culture of safety by attending required training, identifying hazards, and using required PPE.
• Contribute to team success by supporting continuous improvement initiatives and sharing technical knowledge and best practices.

Benefits

• Medical, dental and vision plans
• Flexible time off, starting at 80 hours paid time per year for full-time salaried employees
• Company-paid holidays starting at 8 days per year and may vary by location
• Wellbeing program & Employee Assistance Program
• Health Savings Account/Flexible Spending Account
• Life insurance, AD&D, short-term & long-term disability, and voluntary benefits
• Paid Parental Leave
• Retirement Savings Plan with company match
• Tuition Reimbursement (dependent upon approval)
• Discretionary annual bonus program (initial eligibility dependent upon hire date)

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Mid Level