What are the responsibilities and job description for the Project Engineer position at Rehrig Pacific Company?
Must live near one of Rehrig Pacific's Reusable Asset Depots: Preferably Petersburg VA, Lincolnton, NC, Columbus OH, or Whiteland IN
Brief Role Description
RSO Project Engineers are an integral part of our operations team, responsible for planning and executing capital improvement projects—including equipment installation, automation, and facility improvements—across Reusable Asset Depots (RAD), On-site locations, and Torus hubs. This role drives network performance by actively supporting the onboarding, kick-off, and scaling of new business while delivering projects that improve site operational efficiency, employee safety, equipment reliability, and operational costs.
Areas of Accountabilities
Execute Equipment & Automation Installation Projects
- Develop project scopes, schedules, budgets, and resource plans for material-handling automation and equipment installations.
- Lead installation, commissioning, and start-up of new equipment across RADs, on-sites, and Torus hubs.
- Plan and phase installations to keep live site operations running — sequencing work, minimizing downtime, and coordinating cutover with site leadership.
- Coordinate site readiness (power, network, structural, and operational requirements) for safe, on-schedule execution.
- Solicit and evaluate contractor and vendor proposals, and manage their site access, schedules, and activity through the project.
- Monitor timelines, budgets, risks, and deliverables, and keep stakeholders current on status.
- Complete commissioning and start-up verification — confirming equipment, controls, and integration meet throughput and readiness targets — before handoff to local maintenance and operations.
Support New Site Start-Up & Operational Readiness
- Lead the site-readiness work to prepare and launch new sites — facilities, utilities, permitting, and regulatory compliance.
- Assess facility needs and develop scopes of work aligned to operational requirements and business priorities.
- Coordinate facility, equipment, and workflow readiness with site leadership; ensure post-launch stabilization plan with the site operations team.
- Deliver and verify projects against scope, budget, safety, readiness, and throughput targets before closeout and handoff to the steady-state operations team.
Ensure Safe Project Execution
- Apply company, customer, and site safety requirements, and enforce contractor and vendor compliance, on all installation and facility-improvement projects.
- Coordinate project risk assessments and mitigation plans with site leadership, contractors, and safety resources.
- Develop and maintain project documentation, start-up checklists, and turnover materials required for safe and effective operation.
Knowledge, Skills, and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field, or equivalent relevant experience
- Project management experience, including project management tools and software
- Experience in Lean Manufacturing and/or Six Sigma
- Working knowledge of equipment installation, facility infrastructure, and safe tool use in project environments.
- Able to communicate project scope, risks, timelines, and decisions clearly to cross-functional stakeholders (Including, but not limited to Operations, Safety, Quality, and Management).
- Excellent problem-solving skills and familiarity with problem solving terms and tools
- Highly proficient with MS Office tools
- Ability to leverage data to drive decisions and project focus
- Ability and willingness to travel (estimated travel frequency 60%)