Process Project Manager

ABOUT QUALTECH

Qualtech is a North American leader in process engineering, stainless steel equipment fabrication, automation integration, and turnkey project execution for the food and dairy industry. With over 300 professionals across America, including engineering, automation, and field installation, we design and deliver efficient process systems that enable leading producers to manufacture safely, efficiently, and at scale.

Our West-Coast team located in Petaluma, operates at the center of multidisciplinary project execution — where mechanical design, automation, fabrication, and installation come together to deliver industrial systems.

ROLE OVERVIEW

We are seeking a Field Project Manager who thrives at the intersection of fluid process engineering, project execution, and industrial systems integration.

This role is ideal for a technician or engineer with 5–7 years of experience who will ensure our systems delivers its true potential and meets customer satisfaction. You will lead multidisciplinary food and dairy processing projects from concept through on-site integration and commissioning, while making sure to be on schedule and within budget.

You will work closely with automation project managers, fabrication teams, installation crews, and clients to deliver integrated plant solutions, not just individual pieces of equipment.

WHY THIS ROLE IS CAREER-DEFINING

This position offers direct exposure to:

• Turnkey industrial process systems

• Mechanical + automation system integration

• Real-world plant design and commissioning

• Technical decision-making authority

• Client-facing leadership

Successful candidates are independently leading projects after 12–18 months of teamwork with our on-site teams. You will be managing technical scope and budgets and acting as a trusted technical partner for both clients and internal teams.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

Health, Safety and Quality

• Demonstrate leadership in industrial safety practices

• Ensure projects comply with Qualtech, industry, and regulatory standards

• Promote quality workmanship and adherence to engineering standards

Project & Technical Leadership

• Partner with customers to define options and solutions to match their goals

• Lead execution of industrial process system projects from design through commissioning

• Own technical scope definition and change management

• Evaluate best solutions for performance, cost, constructability, and schedule

• Coordinate mechanical, process, and automation teams to ensure cohesion

• Participate in multidisciplinary design reviews with engineering and automation teams

System Integration & Engineering

• Review process designs, layouts, and P&IDs

• Translate client process requirements into engineered system solutions

• Support integration of mechanical systems with industrial automation platforms

• Lead resolution of technical challenges during fabrication, installation, and commissioning

• Analyze process performance and implement corrective solutions

Project Management

• Develop and maintain project plans, budgets, and schedules

• Use data-driven methods to track cost, schedule, and risk

• Manage RFQs, vendor evaluations, and technical procurement decisions

• Monitor project performance and proactively manage scope, schedule, and cost changes

• Maintain comprehensive project documentation within internal systems

Field Execution & Commissioning

• Support and supervise installation teams, including sub-contractors, during critical project phases

• Ensure systems meet quality, safety, and regulatory requirements

• Participate in system start-up, testing, and commissioning activities

Collaboration & Leadership Growth

• Work cross-functionally with fabrication, automation, and engineering teams

• Support development of junior engineers and field technicians

• Contribute to continuous improvement of engineering standards and project methods

Health, Safety and Quality

• Demonstrate leadership in industrial safety practices

• Ensure projects comply with Qualtech, industry, and regulatory standards

• Promote quality workmanship and adherence to engineering standards

QUALIFICATIONS

Education & Experience

• 5+ years experience in process design, field installation, performance testing, project management, commissioning or plant operations, preferably in the Food and Beverage or the Chemical Processing industries
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering is considered an asset

Technical Competencies

• Strong system-level engineering mindset (process, mechanical, automation interfaces)
• Ability to translate process requirements into integrated system solutions
• Experience reading and developing P&IDs and system layouts
• Familiarity with industrial control systems and process automation environments
• Understanding of fabrication, installation, and commissioning environments

Professional Skills

• Ability to manage multiple concurrent technical workstreams
• Strong analytical and problem-solving capabilities
• Effective leadership in both technical and client-facing settings
• Comfortable working in collaborative, multidisciplinary project teams

Tools & Systems

• Experience working with digital project tracking and documentation systems
• AutoCAD proficiency for P&IDs and layouts
• Experience with Microsoft office suite tools
• Familiarity with Rockwell / Allen-Bradley is an asset

WORK ENVIRONMENT

While the main office is in Petaluma, we welcome candidates from the West Coast to apply since this is an hybrid position. Travel occurs primarily during installation and commissioning phases and is balanced with office and remote work.

WHAT WE OFFER

• Exposure to complex, real-world industrial systems

• Technical leadership responsibility early in career

• Multidisciplinary environment

• Strong project variety and learning opportunities

• Support from an established North American engineering group