Job Juncture
Project Manager – Machine Tool Manufacturing
Chicago / Elgin Area | Capital Equipment | Engineered-to-Order Systems
Why This Role Base compensation
up to $110,000
401(k): 100% company match up to 5% , fully vested after one year
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, life insurance
Stable global manufacturer with long-term customers and complex projects
Hands‑on, technically grounded PM role (not PMO / admin‑heavy)
Company Overview (Confidential) We are partnered with a
global manufacturer of precision industrial equipment
with approximately
$225M in annual revenue
and
700+ employees
across manufacturing and sales locations in the
United States, Switzerland, and China .
The organization designs and delivers
custom, engineered-to-order machine systems
for customers that demand high accuracy, reliability, and long-term technical support.
Position Overview The Project Manager is responsible for managing
capital equipment projects end-to-end , from order kickoff through build, delivery, and installation. This role requires close coordination with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and customers.
Project Managers who are most successful in this environment typically bring
prior hands‑on machine experience
(assembly, applications, manufacturing engineering, or field service), which enables them to anticipate issues, communicate effectively, and drive projects forward.
Location note: This role is expected to be
Chicago-area based , with regular presence at the
Elgin facility . Hybrid flexibility may exist, but proximity is important for success.
Key Responsibilities Project Planning & Coordination Develop and maintain project plans using
MS Project , aligned to quoted scope, timelines, and deliverables
Coordinate with engineering, operations, supply chain, and sales to align schedules and priorities
Track budgets, milestones, risks, and resource allocation
Client Engagement Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle
Provide regular status updates, schedule reviews, and milestone communications
Ensure customer requirements and expectations are clearly defined and met
Project Execution Oversee production, assembly, testing, and delivery of complex machine tool systems
Ensure adherence to technical specifications, quality standards, and performance requirements
Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies
Support FAT/SAT activities and final customer acceptance
Lead cross‑functional project teams in a matrixed environment
Foster collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and support teams
Promote accountability, clear communication, and execution discipline
Background & Experience (Intentionally Flexible) Prior experience in
machine tools, capital equipment, or complex industrial machinery
Hands‑on technical background strongly preferred
(machine assembly, applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, field service, or similar)
Project management experience in
custom or engineered-to-order environments
Comfortable working directly with customers and cross‑functional teams
Proficiency with
MS Project
or similar
There is
no strict minimum education requirement . Practical experience and technical credibility are more important than formal credentials.
Travel varies significantly by project and customer:
Some PMs travel regularly (e.g., weekly regional trips)
Others may have minimal or no travel over several months
Travel requirements are
project‑driven , not fixed
#J-18808-Ljbffr
Why This Role Base compensation
up to $110,000
401(k): 100% company match up to 5% , fully vested after one year
Short-Term & Long-Term Disability, life insurance
Stable global manufacturer with long-term customers and complex projects
Hands‑on, technically grounded PM role (not PMO / admin‑heavy)
Company Overview (Confidential) We are partnered with a
global manufacturer of precision industrial equipment
with approximately
$225M in annual revenue
and
700+ employees
across manufacturing and sales locations in the
United States, Switzerland, and China .
The organization designs and delivers
custom, engineered-to-order machine systems
for customers that demand high accuracy, reliability, and long-term technical support.
Position Overview The Project Manager is responsible for managing
capital equipment projects end-to-end , from order kickoff through build, delivery, and installation. This role requires close coordination with engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, and customers.
Project Managers who are most successful in this environment typically bring
prior hands‑on machine experience
(assembly, applications, manufacturing engineering, or field service), which enables them to anticipate issues, communicate effectively, and drive projects forward.
Location note: This role is expected to be
Chicago-area based , with regular presence at the
Elgin facility . Hybrid flexibility may exist, but proximity is important for success.
Key Responsibilities Project Planning & Coordination Develop and maintain project plans using
MS Project , aligned to quoted scope, timelines, and deliverables
Coordinate with engineering, operations, supply chain, and sales to align schedules and priorities
Track budgets, milestones, risks, and resource allocation
Client Engagement Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle
Provide regular status updates, schedule reviews, and milestone communications
Ensure customer requirements and expectations are clearly defined and met
Project Execution Oversee production, assembly, testing, and delivery of complex machine tool systems
Ensure adherence to technical specifications, quality standards, and performance requirements
Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies
Support FAT/SAT activities and final customer acceptance
Lead cross‑functional project teams in a matrixed environment
Foster collaboration across engineering, manufacturing, and support teams
Promote accountability, clear communication, and execution discipline
Background & Experience (Intentionally Flexible) Prior experience in
machine tools, capital equipment, or complex industrial machinery
Hands‑on technical background strongly preferred
(machine assembly, applications engineering, manufacturing engineering, field service, or similar)
Project management experience in
custom or engineered-to-order environments
Comfortable working directly with customers and cross‑functional teams
Proficiency with
MS Project
or similar
There is
no strict minimum education requirement . Practical experience and technical credibility are more important than formal credentials.
Travel varies significantly by project and customer:
Some PMs travel regularly (e.g., weekly regional trips)
Others may have minimal or no travel over several months
Travel requirements are
project‑driven , not fixed
#J-18808-Ljbffr