Project Engineer in Grand Rapids, Michigan at VEZA Manufacturing

Veza’s Organizational Values:

1. Velocity: Fast to Solve

2. Execution: Fast to Finish

3. Zealous: Fast to Yes

4. Accountability: Fast to Own

Position Summary

The Project Engineer plays a key role in bringing customer projects from concept to production, partnering across the organization to turn new opportunities into successful product launches. This position supports projects from initial quotation and costing through design, manufacturing readiness, and full production, ensuring solutions are technically sound, cost-effective, and manufacturable.

Working closely with customers, Account Management, Engineering, Purchasing, and Production, the Project Engineer helps solve technical challenges, coordinate engineering changes, and keep projects moving toward key milestones. The role also provides the opportunity to drive continuous improvement, influence product and manufacturing decisions, and support the development and optimization of both new and existing products.

Essential Responsibilities

• Partner with customers and Account Management to define project scope, clarify technical requirements, and develop competitive, technically sound proposals.

• Develop accurate and profitable project quotations, incorporating material costs, labor requirements, tooling, and manufacturing considerations.

• Review customer designs and specifications to ensure manufacturability, completeness, quality, and technical feasibility.

• Develop and maintain Bills of Materials (BOMs) in collaboration with Purchasing and other cross-functional teams.

• Define labor plans, process flows, tooling requirements, and production methods to support efficient manufacturing.

• Analyze production costs and evaluate the cost, quality, and manufacturing impact of product and design changes.

• Lead and support New Product Introduction (NPI) activities, helping transition new products seamlessly from development into production.

• Manage Engineering Change Orders (ECOs), including documentation, ERP updates, implementation, and cross-functional communication.

• Create and maintain clear, effective work instructions, cut sheets, and manufacturing documentation for new and existing products.

• Partner directly with Production to troubleshoot and resolve design, material, and manufacturing-process challenges.

• Provide hands-on technical expertise, including wire and component sizing, drawing review, and validation of customer specifications.

• Collaborate with suppliers, Purchasing, Engineering, and Operations to address material requirements, manufacturing capabilities, project timing, and technical issues.

• Communicate project proposals, technical recommendations, risks, and status updates to customers and internal stakeholders.

• Develop and implement testing and validation methods to ensure product quality and manufacturing-process capability.

• Drive continuous improvement initiatives that improve quality, increase efficiency, reduce cost, and strengthen manufacturing performance.

• Develop production timing estimates and support project planning, scheduling, and execution through launch.

• Maintain accurate project documentation and ensure complete, timely release packages to support successful production.

Non-Essential Responsibilities:

• Properly record tooling assets in ERP.

• Other duties as assigned.

Supervision Received:

Specific Direction: Follows established work procedures. Receives periodic checks for performance. Refers unique questions/conditions to immediate supervisor.

Supervisory Responsibilities:

No supervision: No supervisory responsibilities.

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or related field) preferred, or equivalent practical experience

• 3–5 years of experience in a manufacturing or engineering environment (wire harness, cable assembly, or electronics preferred)

• Minimum 1 year of experience with CAD software

• Experience working with ERP/MRP systems

• Aerospace/defense/government contract experience is a plus

Other Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes, materials, and cost estimation

• Knowledge of wire harnessing, cable assembly, and electronic/mechanical systems

• Familiarity with quality systems such as ISO 9001

• Proficiency in Microsoft Office (Excel, Word)

• Ability to interpret and validate engineering drawings and specifications

• Working knowledge of production equipment and processes

Core Competencies:

• Results-Oriented: Effectively plans and executes projects to meet deadlines and objectives

• Technical Aptitude: Applies engineering knowledge to solve practical manufacturing challenges

• Attention to Detail: Ensures accuracy in designs, documentation, and data

• Coordination: Integrates cross-functional efforts to achieve project goals efficiently

• Initiative: Proactively identifies issues and implements solutions