Project Engineer

Roles & Responsibilities:

Program Management and Customer Interface

Act as the main point of contact for Key Account Customer(s), managing all technical communications, status updates, and program-related inquiries. Define project scope, objectives, and success metrics in close collaboration and align cross-functional teams within Akribis Systems to meet these objectives. Develop, track, and manage detailed project plans, timelines, and milestones, ensuring transparency and accountability throughout the project lifecycle.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Lead new product introduction projects, coordinating closely with engineering, production, quality assurance, and supply chain teams to ensure on-time and on-spec delivery. Collaborate on design specifications and performance requirements, ensuring that Akribis meets the technical and operational needs of the customer. Identify and mitigate project risks, ensuring potential issues are proactively addressed to minimize impact on project timelines and quality.

Engineering Change Management (ECM)

Oversee engineering change management (ECM) processes for Key Account Customer(s)' projects, ensuring all modifications are smoothly integrated and communicated to relevant stakeholders. Coordinate with production, quality, and supply chain teams to ensure seamless implementation of engineering changes and compliance with customer requirements. Document and track engineering changes, ensuring alignment with both Akribis’s standards and Key Account Customer(s)’s requirements.

Technical Alignment and Decision Making

Facilitate technical discussions between Akribis and Key Account Customer(s), ensuring all stakeholders understand project requirements, objectives, and progress. Serve as a technical advisor to internal teams, aligning customer requirements with Akribis’s capabilities and solutions. Drive decision-making processes related to technical aspects, balancing customer requirements with feasibility, cost, and quality.

Continuous Improvement and Process Optimization

Identify areas for process improvement and implement changes to enhance project efficiency, product quality, and cost-effectiveness. Utilise feedback from Key Account Customer(s) and internal stakeholders to continuously refine program processes and customer engagement strategies. Implement metrics to monitor program performance, analyzing data to identify trends, address issues, and support strategic goals.

Documentation and Reporting

Develop and maintain detailed documentation of project plans, schedules, risk assessments, and change orders for full transparency and traceability. Provide regular reports, updates, and technical reviews to Key Account Customer(s) and Akribis leadership, ensuring all parties have a clear understanding of project status. Maintain organised and accessible project documentation to support quality audits, compliance, and future reference.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Program Management, or a related technical field;
• Minimum of 5 years in technical program management, project management, or engineering, preferably within semiconductor or precision engineering industries.

Program and Project Management

Led and managed multiple complex technical programs, overseeing project planning, resource allocation, budgeting, and timeline tracking. Developed and maintained project roadmaps and schedules, ensuring alignment with customer requirements and internal goals. Implemented Agile and Lean methodologies to streamline project workflows, reduce waste, and improve efficiency across cross-functional teams.

Customer Relationship Management

Served as the primary point of contact for key accounts, building strong, trust-based relationships with customers to understand and address their technical and business needs.Conducted regular project status updates and reviews with stakeholders, ensuring transparency and aligning deliverables with customer expectations. Worked closely with customers to identify and resolve issues, improving customer satisfaction and strengthening long-term partnerships.

New Product Introduction (NPI)

Led New Product Introduction (NPI) efforts, collaborating with engineering, manufacturing, and quality teams to ensure timely delivery of products to specification. Coordinated design validation, prototype testing, and initial production runs to meet customer specifications and ensure successful product launches. Managed risk assessments and mitigation plans, proactively addressing potential roadblocks to keep projects on track.

Change Management and Process Optimisation

Oversaw engineering change orders (ECOs) and change management processes, ensuring smooth implementation across departments with minimal disruption. Analysed and optimised production and operational workflows, implementing changes that improved efficiency and reduced costs. Championed continuous improvement initiatives, using feedback and performance metrics to drive process enhancements.

Cross-Functional Collaboration and Communication

Facilitated communication and alignment between engineering, manufacturing, quality assurance, and supply chain teams to achieve project objectives. Organised and led cross-functional meetings to ensure all departments understood project priorities, goals, and timelines. Demonstrated ability to garner buy-in and drive a diverse team towards positive outcomes, relying on persuasion and influence building instead of formal authority.

Data Analysis and Reporting

Developed and monitored key performance indicators (KPIs) for projects, using data to measure progress, identify issues, and inform decision-making. Created detailed reports and dashboards to provide stakeholders with timely insights into program status, resource utilisation, and risk factors. Utilised data-driven insights to make strategic adjustments, improving project outcomes and ensuring alignment with company objectives.

Skillset(s) Requirement:

Technical Skills:

Strong understanding of project management methodologies (Agile, Waterfall) and proficiency in ERP/PLM systems. Experience managing complex technical programs, including new product introductions and engineering change management. Familiarity with technical drawings, engineering specifications, and quality control standards.

Customer Management Skills:

Demonstrated experience building and managing key customer relationships, with a focus on aligning deliverables to customer expectations.Analytical Skills: Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to analyze program performance data and drive continuous improvement.

Communication Skills:

Excellent verbal and written communication skills to interact effectively with cross-functional teams and customers.

Organizational Skills:

Strong organizational skills, with a proven ability to prioritize and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Other Preferred Skills and Competencies:

-Familiarity with the semiconductor industry and engineering change management processes.

-Proficiency in project management software (e.g., SmartSheet,Microsoft Project, Jira) and ERP systems (e.g., Microsoft Business Central, SAP)

-PMP or Program Management certification is a plus.

-Experience in Lean, Six Sigma, or other continuous improvement methodologies is a plus.