Project Engineering Lead

Nexus Circular•Atlanta, GA

About The Position

Nexus Circular is the commercial leader in advanced recycling technology, converting landfill‑bound plastics into high‑quality circular feedstocks for sustainable virgin plastic production. As Nexus rapidly scales globally, we are executing complex, capital‑intensive projects that demand strong engineering leadership, disciplined execution, and technical excellence across all project phases. Role Purpose The Project Engineering Manager (PEM) is the single‑point owner for all engineering and technical matters on large capital projects (typically >$100MM). This role acts as the client‑side Project Engineering Manager, providing leadership, technical assurance, and integration across all engineering disciplines, EPC contractors, licensors, vendors, and internal stakeholders. Beyond delivering individual projects, this role is expected to build, standardize, and institutionalize engineering systems, processes, procedures, and tools that can be consistently applied across Nexus projects—so success is repeatable, scalable, and not dependent on any single individual.

Requirements

Strong engineering leadership
Disciplined execution
Technical excellence across all project phases
Single-point owner for all engineering and technical matters on large capital projects (typically >$100MM)
Client-side Project Engineering Manager
Leadership, technical assurance, and integration across all engineering disciplines, EPC contractors, licensors, and vendors
Ability to build, standardize, and institutionalize engineering systems, processes, procedures, and tools
Credible technical authority capable of challenging EPC contractors, licensors, and vendors
Ability to maintain strong working relationships
Experience with HAZID / HAZOP, LOPA, SIL / Functional Safety Reviews, Management of Change (MOC), Technical deviations and concessions
Ability to ensure all process safety risks are identified, assessed, escalated, and mitigated appropriately
Ability to ensure full integration of process plants, utilities, off-plots, and site infrastructure
Ability to coordinate engineering activities to meet project schedule, cost, and constructability objectives
Ability to interface closely with Procurement & Strategic Sourcing, Construction, Commissioning & Startup, Operations & Maintenance
Ability to ensure engineering deliverables are construction-ready and execution-focused
Ability to influence and align internal stakeholders (operations, construction, procurement) and external partners (EPCs, licensing clints, vendors)
Ability to communicate clearly with project and executive leadership, escalating risks early and transparently
Ability to lead without burning bridges—driving results while maintaining trust, accountability, and motivation

Responsibilities

Act as the client Project Engineering Manager for all project engineering and technical matters from front‑end development through construction, commissioning, startup, and handover to operations.
Provide technical leadership and assurance across all disciplines, including: Process Engineering, Mechanical (static & rotating), Piping & Layout, Electrical, Instrumentation & Process Control, Utilities, off‑sites, and infrastructure.
Serve as a credible technical authority capable of challenging EPC contractors, licensors, and vendors while maintaining strong working relationships.
Define, implement, and govern project‑specific engineering execution plans, processes, and procedures.
Develop and continuously improve corporate project engineering standards, workflows, tools, and best practices to be used across multiple projects.
Establish and align engineering standards with: Company requirements, Industry codes & standards, US and state regulatory requirements, Process licensor design packages, SHE, Process Safety, and Project Excellence (PEX) standards.
Ensure engineering design quality, safety, and compliance across all project phases.
Lead and ensure closure of all design assurance activities, including: HAZID / HAZOP, LOPA, SIL / Functional Safety Reviews, Management of Change (MOC), Technical deviations and concessions.
Ensure all process safety risks are identified, assessed, escalated, and mitigated appropriately.
Ensure full integration of process plants, utilities, off‑plots, and site infrastructure, with clear ownership and defined interfaces.
Coordinate engineering activities to meet project schedule, cost, and constructability objectives.
Interface closely with: Procurement & Strategic Sourcing, Construction, Commissioning & Startup, Operations & Maintenance.
Ensure engineering deliverables are construction‑ready and execution‑focused, not just “technically complete.”
Lead a multi‑disciplinary, multi‑location, and multi‑cultural engineering team.
Influence and align internal stakeholders (operations, construction, procurement) and external partners (EPCs, licensing clints, vendors).
Communicate clearly with project and executive leadership, escalating risks early and transparently.
Lead without burning bridges—driving results while maintaining trust, accountability, and motivation.