Project Engineer

Position: General Manager
Organization: Acme | Lock & Door – A Cobalt Service Partners Company
Location: On-Site | Cincinnati, OH
Reports To: President, Entrance Solutions

Acme Lock & Door Overview

Founded in 1933, Acme | Lock & Door has been a trusted name in the tri-state area for over 90 years, providing top-tier locksmithing services, door and frame installation, glass and storefront installation, and access control solutions for commercial, industrial, and institutional clients.

With a reputation built on quality craftsmanship and exceptional customer service, we are dedicated to securing our customers' spaces while delivering reliable and innovative solutions. Our team of skilled technicians are passionate about their work and take pride in maintaining the highest standards of safety and professionalism.

Acme | Lock & Door is proud to operate as part of Cobalt Service Partners — a private equity-backed platform building the leading commercial access and security integration business in North America, backed by Alpine Investors.

Position Overview

As the Project Engineer, you will serve as the critical bridge between our customers' technical needs and our company's solutions — ensuring every project is estimated accurately, scoped clearly, and handed off seamlessly. This role blends technical expertise, sales acumen, and sharp communication skills to drive customer satisfaction and successful project delivery.

With the backing of a fast-growing PE platform, a values-driven team, and a proven playbook, you will have the opportunity to own meaningful work from day one — translating complex customer requirements into winning proposals and keeping projects on track from kickoff through close.

Key Responsibilities

The Project Engineer will drive customer satisfaction and operational excellence by executing across the following areas:

• Estimating ownership: Own the full estimating process — material specs, labor, and cost build-ups — ensuring accuracy and competitiveness on every bid.
• Technical proposals: Translate customer requirements into detailed technical proposals and scopes of work, engineering and specifying all components needed for each solution.
• Proposal development: Prepare polished proposals, cost estimates, and technical specifications that clearly communicate value and win business.
• Customer-facing technical lead: Serve as the technical point of contact through project close and handoff, building trust and maintaining strong client relationships.
• Cross-functional coordination: Collaborate closely with internal operations teams to ensure smooth project execution and alignment on deliverables.
• Scope management: Monitor deliverables against customer expectations and proactively flag scope gaps or risks early.
• Training & education: Support training for customers and internal teams on product specifications and usage; conduct technical seminars or webinars as needed.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in business, construction management, or a related field; equivalent work experience considered.
• Minimum of 3 years' experience in sales and/or project management, ideally in construction, IT, architectural hardware, systems integration, Division 8, or logistics.
• Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% for client meetings, presentations, and trade shows.
• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to collaborate effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Resourceful, enthusiastic, and energized by working cross-functionally in a fast-paced environment.
• Strong problem-solving mindset with a technical aptitude and attention to detail.
• Experience in the building materials or trades industry is a strong plus.

Core Competencies

• Technical command: Deeply understands the products, systems, and specifications required to deliver accurate, winning proposals.
• Estimating precision: Approaches cost build-ups with rigor and owns the numbers from first pencil to final submission.
• Customer-first mindset: Builds trust with clients by communicating clearly, following through, and keeping their goals front and center.
• Cross-functional collaboration: Works fluidly with operations, sales, and leadership to keep projects moving and teams aligned.
• Proactive communication: Flags issues early, surfaces scope gaps before they become problems, and keeps all stakeholders informed.
• Respect for the craft: Genuinely appreciates the skilled trades and brings humility and curiosity to every job site and client interaction.

Compensation and Timing

Compensation will be competitive and commensurate with experience. Acme Lock & Door offers a comprehensive benefits package including healthcare, 401(k) match, and flexible time off. We are looking to fill this role in the near term as a critical investment in the company's continued growth and future.

___________________________________

Cobalt Service Partners Overview

Cobalt Service Partners is a private equity–backed platform building the leading commercial access and security integration business in North America. Our partner companies design, install, and service mission-critical systems including access control, video surveillance, intrusion detection, and related low-voltage infrastructure for enterprise, institutional, and commercial customers.

Backed by Alpine Investors, a private equity firm specializing in middle-market companies in the services and software industries with $15B in AUM, Cobalt has scaled rapidly since launch. With more than 20 acquisitions completed in a highly fragmented operating environment, Cobalt is building a differentiated, data-driven platform designed to scale through both organic growth and M&A.

Cobalt's Core Values Are

• Unwavering stewardship: We believe advancing founders' legacies is a privilege. We do right by our founders, teams, and customers in good times and in bad.
• Excellence in action: We hold ourselves accountable to the highest standards. We're bold in our pursuits, don't make excuses, and relentlessly empower each other to get the job done.
• Seek and tell the truth: We're honest with ourselves and others. We do what we say we'll do, say what needs to be said, and search for the right answer regardless of where it comes from.
• Love learning: We're always learning as individuals, as a team, and as a business. We show up humble, curious, and with the courage to change our minds.
• Enjoy the ride: We're fired up by our mission, love our team, and don't take either for granted. We show up authentically, assume best intent, and try not to take ourselves too seriously.