Project Engineer

Energy Talent Search is working with a manufacturing company in the Anaheim area that’s continuing to invest heavily in plant modernization, automation, and operational infrastructure improvements across its manufacturing operations.

This is a highly visible engineering role supporting electrical systems, controls, instrumentation, and capital project execution inside a complex industrial manufacturing environment. The company operates within highly engineered materials and specialty manufacturing environments serving industries tied to aerospace, advanced industrial applications, energy transition technologies, and next-generation manufacturing.

They’re looking for someone who can operate independently inside a plant environment, manage projects from concept through commissioning, and work closely with operations, maintenance, contractors, vendors, and leadership teams.

This is NOT a purely desk-based design engineering role.

The environment is much more focused on:

• plant execution
  

• automation
  

• modernization
  

• electrical infrastructure
  

• operational reliability
  

• controls integration
  

• capital project delivery
  

What You’ll Actually Be Doing

• Leading plant-based electrical and automation projects tied to manufacturing operations, equipment upgrades, reliability improvements, and infrastructure modernization
  

• Managing projects from initial planning through commissioning and operational turnover
  

• Supporting automation systems tied to manufacturing equipment, process lines, and plant operations
  

• Working heavily with PLCs, HMI/SCADA systems, instrumentation, MCCs, VFDs, industrial controls, and power distribution systems
  

• Coordinating contractors, integrators, electricians, vendors, and internal operations teams throughout project execution
  

• Driving project schedules, budgets, procurement activities, technical reviews, and implementation timelines
  

• Supporting commissioning, troubleshooting, startup activities, testing, and operational integration
  

• Assisting with instrumentation, calibration processes, controls troubleshooting, and overall manufacturing support as needed
  

• Helping improve plant reliability, operational efficiency, and modernization initiatives tied to automation and controls
  

• Supporting projects involving machine controls, industrial networking, electrical upgrades, and process improvement efforts
  

What the Role Feels Like

• Highly hands-on engineering environment tied closely to real manufacturing operations
  

• Mix of project execution, automation support, plant modernization, troubleshooting, and operational improvement work
  

• Visible role internally with strong interaction across engineering, operations, maintenance, and leadership teams
  

• Fast-moving manufacturing environment where priorities can shift quickly based on operational demands and project timelines
  

• Strong balance between technical engineering work and practical plant execution
  

Why This Role Stands Out

• Opportunity to work inside a technically sophisticated manufacturing environment rather than a basic production facility
  

• Exposure to automation, modernization, IIOT initiatives, and advanced industrial technologies
  

• High project ownership and visibility
  

• Stable global organization with significant investment in manufacturing operations and engineering infrastructure
  

• Strong long-term career growth potential within advanced manufacturing and industrial engineering environments
  

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering strongly preferred
  

• Roughly 7+ years of experience inside industrial or manufacturing environments
  

• Minimum 3+ years of experience leading or heavily supporting capital projects
  

• Strong background involving:
  

  • automation
    

  • controls
    

  • instrumentation
    

  • industrial electrical systems
    

  • manufacturing operations
    

• Experience with:
  

  • PLCs
    

  • SCADA/HMI systems
    

  • MCCs
    

  • VFDs
    

  • industrial controls
    

  • power distribution systems
    

• Experience with platforms such as:
  

  • Allen-Bradley/Rockwell
    

  • Siemens
    

  • Schneider
    or similar industrial automation environments
    

• Strong understanding of:
  

  • commissioning
    

  • electrical troubleshooting
    

  • contractor/vendor coordination
    

  • project execution
    

  • manufacturing equipment and process lines
    

• Ability to operate independently and communicate effectively with operations, maintenance, vendors, contractors, and leadership
  

• Experience inside continuous processes or complex manufacturing environments is highly attractive
  

• Candidates coming strictly from commercial construction, utility-only environments, consulting engineering firms, or purely office-based design engineering roles likely will NOT be a fit.
  

Benefits

• Approximate base salary range: $110K – $140 depending on background and overall fit
  

• 8% bonus opportunity
  

• Full benefits package included
  

• Potential sign-on assistance may be available in certain situations
  

• Anaheim-area onsite role
  

• No relocation assistance being offered
  

• Long-term growth opportunity within a global advanced manufacturing organization