Project Engineer - Capital Construction and Equipment Installation (Pharmaceutical Manufacturing) Job Description This contract Project Engineer role supports capital construction and equipment installation projects within a pharmaceutical manufacturing facility.
Over a 12-18 month engagement, with potential to convert to a direct position, you will take a hands-on role driving projects from construction through closeout.
You will help deliver $1-2M capital projects on time and within budget by coordinating onsite activities, managing contractors, and ensuring that safety, quality, and compliance standards are consistently met.
Responsibilities * Execute capital projects across the facility, supporting the delivery of defined scope, schedule, and budget targets.
* Support Project Managers on $1-2M capital projects by owning day-to-day project execution activities in the field.
* Serve as the onsite point of contact during construction and installation phases, representing project interests in the field.
* Provide daily field oversight to track progress, monitor contractor activities, and keep project schedules on track.
* Coordinate work sequencing to minimize disruption to ongoing operations and maintain safe, efficient workflows.
* Manage contractor coordination, including scheduling, task assignments, and communication of project requirements.
* Oversee RFIs, inspections, and issue resolution in an active construction environment to keep work moving forward.
* Coordinate equipment installation with contractors, fabricators, vendors, and internal engineering and operations teams.
* Review contractor submittals, drawings, and documentation to ensure quality, compliance, and timely approvals.
* Support installation of process and utility equipment while maintaining safety, quality, and regulatory standards.
* Assist with cost tracking, cost control, and change coordination to support adherence to project budgets.
* Contribute to schedule recovery efforts when delays occur by identifying corrective actions and resequencing work.
* Apply working knowledge of construction methods, materials, and engineered systems to support field decision-making.
* Manage subcontractors in the field, including monitoring performance, sequencing work, and verifying completion of tasks.
* Support QA/QC processes by reviewing work quality, participating in inspections, and addressing nonconformances.
* Ensure adherence to safety requirements and OSHA compliance throughout construction and installation activities.
* Maintain accurate project documentation, including field reports, logs, and tracking of RFIs and change orders.
* Collaborate closely with project managers, contractors, inspectors, and internal stakeholders to align expectations and resolve issues.
* Work independently onsite while staying aligned with broader project goals, standards, and reporting requirements.
Essential Skills * Bachelor's degree in Mechanical, Chemical, or Industrial Engineering; an Associate's degree in Engineering Technology or an equivalent technical experience will also be considered.
* 5-10 years of Project Engineering experience supporting capital or construction projects.
* Experience supporting capital projects in the $1-2M range.
* history in manufacturing, facilities, or regulated environments (such as pharmaceutical or GMP settings) preferred.
* Strong experience working onsite during active construction and installation phases.
* Hands-on experience with construction execution, field coordination, and site planning.
* Working knowledge of construction methods, materials, and engineered systems.
* Experience managing subcontractors, including sequencing work, inspections, and RFIs.
* Familiarity with QA/QC processes and safety compliance, including OSHA-related requirements, in regulated or manufacturing environments.
* Exposure to cost control, estimating, value engineering, or change order coordination.
* Comfort managing coordination-heavy work involving contractors, documentation, engineered equipment, and construction activities.
* Strong communication skills with the ability to coordinate effectively across project managers, contractors, inspectors, and internal teams.
* Detail-oriented mindset with strong documentation, organizational skills, and follow-through.
* Ability to work independently onsite while aligning with broader project teams and project objectives.
* Ability to operate effectively in fast-paced, coordination-driven project environments.
Additional Skills & Qualifications * Experience in mechanical engineering, facilities maintenance, or manufacturing process environments.
* Experience in capital project management, including CAPEX planning and capital equipment installation.
* Experience in or exposure to GMP environments within pharmaceutical or similarly regulated industries.
* Project management experience, including scope, schedule, and cost management responsibilities.
* Proficiency in Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook.
* Experience with SAP is a plus.
* Familiarity with CAD/BIM tools is beneficial for reviewing drawings and coordinating installations.
* Strong general management skills, including prioritization, stakeholder coordination, and problem solving.
Work Environment You will work in a clean, state-of-the-art pharmaceutical manufacturing facility that includes a mix of office space, laboratories, and manufacturing areas.
The role is primarily onsite and field-focused, involving regular presence in active construction and installation zones within a regulated environment.
You will collaborate closely with project managers, engineers, contractors, vendors, and operations teams while using tools such as Microsoft Office, SAP, and CAD/BIM outputs to support planning and coordination.
The position offers flexibility around working hours, with a minimum expectation of 40 hours per week.
Core hours are 9:00 a.m.
to 3:00 p.m., and you may flex your start and end times as long as you are present during core hours.
The facility emphasizes safety, quality, and compliance, and you will follow appropriate site safety protocols and attire requirements suitable for office, lab, and manufacturing areas.
Job Type & Location This is a Contract position based out of Columbus, OH.
Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $43.46 - $62.50/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment.
Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms.
If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: * Medical, dental & vision * Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital * 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available * Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) * Short and long-term disability * Health Spending Account (HSA) * Transportation benefits * Employee Assistance Program * Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Workplace Type This is a fully onsite position in Columbus,OH.
Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on May 12, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people.
DE&I is embedded into our culture through: * Hiring diverse talent * Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection * Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes * Ensuring growth opportunities for our people Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
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