Project Engineer (CAPITAL PROJECT MANAGEMENT) (CHEMICAL MANUFACTURING)

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colourful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles. 

We are currently looking for a Senior Project Manager (Capital Project Management) to join us at our facility in Front Royal, VA.  

Singular focus on providing brilliant coatings sets us apart. Axalta Coating Systems is a leading global company dedicated solely to the development, manufacture and sale of liquid and powder coatings. We serve customers in the automotive, transportation, general industrial and architectural and decorative sectors. Our innovative products and services include paint, color matching tools, application technologies and customer training and business management systems.

The Senior Project Engineer leads and executes large, complex capital projects that support safe, reliable, and efficient site operations. This role is responsible for developing project scope, aligning stakeholders, managing internal and external resources, and delivering projects on scope, on schedule, and within budget. The position also provides senior-level leadership in project governance, risk management, and execution for individual projects greater than $5MM or programs totaling more than $10MM cumulatively.

Key Responsibilities:

• Develop project scope, objectives, and success criteria in partnership with site and corporate stakeholders.

• Lead project front-end loading activities and define project phases, design requirements, and execution strategy.

• Develop project estimates, including equipment, construction, and commissioning costs.

• Perform project financial analysis and support sound business decision-making.

• Assemble approval documents and lead projects through the approval and governance process.

• Coordinate mechanical, process, and electrical design activities with in-house and contracted resources.

• Maintain project schedules by monitoring progress, coordinating activities, and resolving issues.

• Manage project execution by reviewing designs and specifications, identifying risks, and driving resolution to maintain scope and schedule.

• Control project costs by monitoring purchases, construction, and commissioning expenditures.

• Provide construction management support to help ensure safe, compliant, and effective field execution.

• Maintain project design, commissioning, and closeout documentation to support compliance, startup readiness, and knowledge transfer.

Minimum Requirements:

• Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, chemical, or electrical engineering and 15+ years of relevant project engineering experience.

• Demonstrated experience managing individual projects greater than $5MM or programs totaling more than $10MM cumulatively.

• Demonstrated experience soliciting, bidding, and managing significant external engineering, construction, or related resources through an RFx process.

• Broad knowledge of industrial and construction safety standards, best practices, and RAGAGEP standards such as NFPA, ASME, API, and IEC.

• Excellent communication, presentation, interpersonal, and conflict resolution skills, with the ability to influence managers, peers, and operations and maintenance teams.

Preferred Skills:

• Strong knowledge of Process Safety Management standards and associated elements, including Management of Change, Process Hazard Analysis, and Pre-Startup Safety Review; knowledge of similar standards is acceptable.

• Industrial plant experience in chemical processing.

• Working knowledge of industrial control systems and instrumentation.

• Ability to research policies and provide guidance to on-site personnel and other Axalta sites.

Computer Skills:

• Proficiency in SAP and Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Access, Project, Visio, Outlook, and SharePoint.

Key Competencies and General Requirements:

• Satisfactory drug screen, background screening, and pre-employment test results.

• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States.

• Ability to research policies and provide guidance to on-site personnel as well as other Axalta sites

• Proactive in identifying needs and implementing solutions with limited supervision.

• Flexible and adaptable in response to changing systems, priorities, and policies.

• Detail-oriented with strong troubleshooting skills.

• Strong troubleshooting proficiency

• Excellent interpersonal skills, with the ability to teach, serve as a resource, and communicate complex concepts across functions.

• Ability to collaborate across teams, reconcile differences, and build credibility with operators, maintenance personnel, and engineers.

• Self-motivated, accountable, and able to complete work independently and through influence.

• Travel Required: approximately 5-10%

Physical Demands:

• Must be willing to work flexible work hours and overtime as needed.

• Climbing on and working from fixed and portable ladders or scaffolds while wearing a safety harness.

While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to stand, walk, reach with hand(s) and arm(s), stoop, use hands and fingers to handle and/or feel; The employee is frequently required to reach with hands and arms. The employee must be able to perform by repetition. The employee must routinely lift and/or move up to 50 pounds. Specific vision abilities required by this job include close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception and ability to adjust focus.

This is an active opening for which we are recruiting to fill immediately.  

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals. 

The expected compensation range for this position is $140,000 - $170,000 USD annually.

Our Company:

Axalta has remained at the forefront of the coatings industry by continually investing in innovative solutions. We engineer technologies that protect customers’ products – whether they are battling heat, light, corrosion, abrasion, moisture, or chemicals – and add dimension and beauty with colorful finishes. We have a vast and ever-evolving portfolio of brands primed to play an important part in everything from modernizing infrastructure around the world to enabling the next generation of electric and autonomous vehicles.  

Axalta operates its business in two segments: Performance Coatings and Mobility Coatings, which serve four end markets, including Refinish, Industrial, Light Vehicle and Commercial Vehicle, across North America, EMEA, Latin America and Asia-Pacific. Our diverse global footprint allows us to deliver solutions in over 140+ countries and coat 30 million vehicles per year. We’ve recently set an exciting 2040 carbon neutrality goal, in addition to 10 other sustainability initiatives, and we take pride in working with our customers to optimize their businesses and achieve their goals.

Axalta may use technology-assisted tools, including artificial intelligence (AI), to support certain aspects of the recruitment and selection process. These tools may be used to help manage applications, identify job-related qualifications, and assist recruiter review. All hiring decisions involve human oversight and review.

Recruitment Fraud Alert: We take candidate safety seriously. If you believe you’ve encountered a fraudulent job posting claiming to represent our company, please include a link or screenshot and report it to [email protected].

2 - Professionals (EEO-1 Job Categories-United States of America)

We consider an individual’s qualifications, skillset, and experience to determine final salary. This role is eligible for benefits such as health insurance and paid time off. The actual offer will be at the company’s sole discretion and determined by relevant business considerations, including the final candidate’s qualifications, years of experience, skillset, and geographic location.

This is an active opening for which we are recruiting to fill immediately.