Engineering Project Manager
Role OverviewThe Engineering Project Manager reports to the Director of Product Management and is responsible for leading complex, cross-functional engineering programs within the Wilkins product portfolio. This role owns the end-to-end execution of new product development and strategic initiatives, with a strong emphasis on developing and managing integrated program schedules across multiple parallel workstreams.
You will partner closely with engineering, operations, and product teams to map dependencies, identify critical path, and ensure programs are progressing along the fastest and most efficient development path. This role requires a high level of ownership in driving schedule, risk, and execution across complex, interdependent activities, not just tracking progress.
Key Accountabilities
- Own and manage integrated program schedules, mapping dependencies across multiple teams and workstreams to ensure alignment on the true critical path
- Strong focus on mapping potential development paths of complex projects to identify the fastest critical path for completion
- Proactively identify and adjust for parallel development paths, bottlenecks, and shifting priorities to keep programs on the fastest path to completion
- Create visual daily management tools for project tracking
- Lead cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and product to drive execution in complex, ambiguous environments
- Develop and manage program budgets, resource plans, and timelines, ensuring alignment across all stakeholders
- Identify and mitigate risks, making informed tradeoff decisions between time, cost, and quality
- Drive accountability to program milestones through structured project reviews, scorecards, and clear communication
- Lead program scope definition and manage changes after decisions are made, ensuring minimal disruption to overall timelines
- Support and improve New Product Development (NPD) processes, tools, and execution frameworks
- Capture learnings from programs and integrate them into process improvements and future project planning
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree required; advanced degree preferred
- 5+ years of experience leading complex, cross-functional engineering programs in an industrial or manufacturing environment
- Demonstrated experience owning integrated program schedules, including critical path identification and management across multiple parallel workstreams
- Proven ability to operate in environments where engineering teams are working on multiple interdependent activities simultaneously, requiring dynamic prioritization and schedule adjustment
- Experience using project management tools (e.g., Microsoft Project or similar) to build and manage detailed program schedules and timelines
- Strong understanding of New Product Development (NPD) processes within hardware or industrial product environments preferred
- PMP certification preferred (or in progress)
- Ability to make tradeoff decisions and drive execution in complex, fast-moving programs
- Highly organized with strong communication skills and ability to influence across teams and leadership levels
- Willing to be on-site in Paso Robles, CA
Total Rewards and Benefits- Competitive Salary - $111k - $146k
- Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
- Matching 401(k) Contribution
- Health Savings Account
- Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure)
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Annual Bonus Eligibility
- Educational Reimbursement
- Matching Gift Program
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan – purchase company stock at a discount!
Salary Range: The compensation range(s) identified above are a good faith estimate of the salary expected to be paid as performed from these locations. Actual salaries may vary based on a variety of factors including but not limited to skillset, experience, education and training; and other relevant business and organizational factors. Most candidates will start in the lower half of the range.
Total Rewards and Benefits- Competitive Salary
- Medical, Dental, Vision, STD, LTD, AD&D, and Life Insurance
- Matching 401(k) Contribution
- Health Savings Account
- Up to 3 weeks starting Vacation (may increase with tenure)
- 12 Paid Holidays
- Annual Bonus Eligibility
- Educational Reimbursement
- Matching Gift Program
- Employee Stock Purchase Plan – purchase company stock at a discount!
