Project Manager; Capital Improvements

Position: Project Manager (Capital Improvements)
Location: New Freedom

Description

Position Overview We are seeking an experienced Project Manager with a strong mechanical engineering background to lead and oversee a high volume of major capital improvement projects at a rapidly expanding engineering design and testing facility. The site is undergoing significant investment-including air handling unit upgrades, new test facility construction, warehouse layout redesign, building expansions, and compressor testing infrastructure development-representing more than half the original cost to build the facility.

This individual will serve as the lead point person for all capital projects on site, coordinating day‑to‑day progress and ensuring alignment across internal teams, engineering firms, and external subcontractors. While capital work will be the primary focus, this role will also support lab operations, facility quality initiatives, and safety programs when capital workload fluctuates.

Key Responsibilities Capital Project Leadership & Execution - Lead and manage multiple concurrent capital improvement projects including:

- Air handling unit facility upgrades - New outdoor test facility construction - Gas block compressor testing facility build-out - Warehouse redesign and expansion to support training center growth - New CAR submissions for facility upgrades - Building expansions and infrastructure upgrades - Act as the primary project owner/point person-coordinating internal engineering, operations, maintenance, safety, and quality teams as well as external engineering firms and contractors.

- Ensure all projects adhere to scope, schedule, cost, and quality requirements.

- Facilitate and lead project kickoff meetings, design reviews, construction progress updates, commissioning plans, and turnover readiness.

- Support lab operations, facility quality initiatives, and safety programs when capital workload fluctuates. Vendor, Contractor & Engineering Firm Management - Oversee day‑to‑day activity of external engineering firms, subcontractors, and onsite construction crews.

- Ensure safe, high‑quality execution with strong controls around schedule adherence and technical accuracy.

- Review, evaluate, and approve mechanical system drawings, layouts, equipment submittals, construction plans, and commissioning documentation.

- Support permitting, code compliance, environmental requirements, and alignment with standards (OSHA, ASME, NFPA, local codes). Planning, Tracking & Reporting - Maintain detailed project management tools including schedules, Gantt charts, dashboards, budgets, and risk registers.

- Provide regular progress updates to leadership, clearly communicating risks, issues, and mitigation strategies.

- Coordinate with internal teams feeding project information to ensure accurate updates and full situational awareness. Risk Management, Issue Resolution & Change Control - Identify risks early-including contractor delays, design conflicts, or scope gaps-and lead mitigation and resolution.

- Drive structured change‑control processes across engineering, operations, and leadership groups.

- Escalate critical issues promptly with clear recommendations and supporting analysis.

Skills

Project management, capital project management, capital equipment, capital construction, ms project, excel

Top Skills Details

Project management,capital project management,capital equipment,capital construction,ms project,excel

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

Qualifications - Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field.

- 5+ years of experience managing capital projects in an industrial, mechanical, or manufacturing environment.

- Strong understanding of large industrial equipment and complex capital projects.

- Ability to manage multiple projects in a dynamic, contractor-heavy environment.

- Proficiency with MS Project, Smartsheet, Power BI, Excel, and other PM tools.

- Excellent communication, leadership, and stakeholder‑management skills. Must‑Haves - Strong project management experience.

- Understanding of large industrial equipment and capital projects.

- Comfortable working in a busy, evolving facility with ongoing construction.

- Ability to lead while coordinating inputs from…