Project Manager - Engineered Systems (Chillers & Thermal Solutions)

Location: Maple Grove, MN
Position Type: Exempt
Department: Project Management
Reports To: Manager, New Product Development & Project Management

Company Overview

Our client is a rapidly growing engineering and manufacturing organization focused on delivering highly customized thermal management and cooling solutions for mission-critical, commercial, industrial, and advanced technology applications. Through a vertically integrated approach to engineering, manufacturing, and project execution, the company delivers complex engineered systems that prioritize reliability, efficiency, performance, and speed to market.

This organization offers an entrepreneurial environment where employees have the opportunity to influence process improvements, drive innovation, and play a direct role in the successful execution of highly customized customer projects.

Position Summary

We are seeking a Project Manager to lead the execution of complex engineered-to-order (ETO) chiller and thermal management projects from order receipt through final delivery.

This individual will serve as the primary point of contact for customers while coordinating cross-functional teams across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, Operations, and Logistics. The Project Manager will be responsible for managing scope, schedule, risk, project communications, and customer expectations while ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in accordance with performance specifications.

This is an excellent opportunity for someone with experience managing technical projects involving HVAC systems, chillers, refrigeration systems, industrial equipment, engineered products, or mechanical systems manufacturing.

Key Responsibilities

Project Leadership & Execution

• Manage assigned engineered-to-order projects from order release through completion.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, milestone plans, risk registers, and project documentation.
• Coordinate execution across Engineering, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Logistics teams.
• Monitor project performance, identify critical risks, and drive corrective actions.
• Support internal project reviews and milestone-gate meetings.

Customer & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary customer contact throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide regular project updates, schedule reports, milestone communications, and issue resolution support.
• Manage customer inquiries, engineering clarifications, project changes, and documentation requests.
• Establish consistent communication with internal and external stakeholders.

Financial & Change Management

• Monitor project budgets and support margin protection initiatives.
• Manage change requests, schedule impacts, and scope modifications.
• Document and communicate project risks, cost impacts, and required approvals.

Manufacturing & Delivery Coordination

• Coordinate manufacturing readiness and project execution activities.
• Support factory testing, inspections, and project milestone events.
• Work closely with Logistics and Operations to ensure successful project delivery.
• Coordinate shipment schedules, delivery notifications, and project closeout activities.

Continuous Improvement

• Participate in lessons-learned reviews and process improvement initiatives.
• Support development of project management best practices, tools, and reporting processes.
• Contribute to ongoing PMO and operational excellence efforts.

Qualifications

Required

• 2+ years of project management experience within a manufacturing, engineering, or engineered systems environment.
• Experience managing multiple projects simultaneously.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite and project scheduling tools.
• Strong communication, organization, and stakeholder management skills.
• Ability to work effectively within cross-functional teams.