Assistant Project Engineer Jobs in Charlottesville, VA

Job Title: Project Engineer

Job Description

The Project Engineer leads large-scale industrial refrigeration projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring safe, high-quality, and efficient delivery that meets customer specifications, budget, and schedule. This role requires strong project management capabilities, mechanical engineering expertise, and the ability to coordinate multiple trades and stakeholders across simultaneous projects. The Project Engineer serves as the primary point of contact for clients, drives project planning and execution, and proactively manages risk and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Manage large-scale refrigeration construction projects from award through commissioning and final punch list, ensuring all project milestones are met on time and within budget.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, including owners and general contractors, to clarify expectations, address concerns, and ensure successful project delivery.
• Review and manage project contracts to confirm alignment with project scope, terms, and conditions, and ensure all parties understand their obligations.
• Collaborate with multiple trades and disciplines to coordinate work, maintain high quality standards, and keep projects on schedule.
• Develop, maintain, and adhere to detailed project schedules, ensuring alignment with overall contractor and site schedules.
• Ensure appropriate staffing levels for each project phase and manage the procurement of materials, tools, and equipment to ensure timely delivery to project sites.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with national and local vendors to support cost-effective procurement of materials and services.
• Oversee project scope and manage change orders, balancing customer satisfaction with effective control of project costs and timelines.
• Track and support engineering progress throughout the design phase, ensuring that engineering deliverables align with project goals and schedules.
• Coordinate with purchasing teams to track material orders, monitor delivery schedules, and resolve any supply chain issues that may impact project progress.
• Proactively identify and manage project risks, ensuring compliance with local, state, and federal regulations, particularly those related to ammonia and CO2-based refrigeration systems.
• Maintain accurate and up-to-date records of all project aspects, including contracts, change orders, schedules, budgets, and correspondence, and provide regular status updates to leadership and clients.
• Provide weekend and evening support as needed to assist field construction activities and address time-sensitive project issues.
• Perform any additional tasks necessary to successfully complete projects and support overall project and organizational objectives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering (BSME preferred).
• Minimum of 5–7 years of experience managing large-scale industrial refrigeration or related projects such as HVAC, commercial refrigeration, or heavy industrial manufacturing.
• Proven leadership experience managing cross-functional teams of engineers, technicians, and subcontractors.
• Strong project management skills, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and coordination across multiple concurrent projects.
• Mechanical engineering background with the ability to interpret and work with engineering drawings and technical documentation.
• Proficiency in project management software for scheduling, tracking, and reporting.
• Familiarity with CAD and the ability to work with engineering drawings and designs.
• Strong negotiation skills to secure cost-effective procurement of materials, equipment, and services.
• Ability to solve complex issues independently within project constraints and make sound business decisions within budget parameters.
• Excellent organizational and documentation skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage multiple ongoing projects effectively.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to manage client expectations and provide clear, timely updates on project progress.
• Attention to detail and a high level of accountability for safety, quality, and compliance.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Expertise in ammonia and CO2-based refrigeration systems, including a deep understanding of relevant safety and environmental regulations.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License.
• Ability and willingness to travel to construction sites nationwide as required.
• Experience working on turnkey industrial refrigeration systems or similar complex mechanical systems.
• Experience managing change orders and cost control in construction or industrial project environments.
• Capability to build strong relationships with vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Interest in ongoing professional development, training, and potential participation in apprenticeship or development programs.

Work Environment

The role is based at the headquarters in Lyndhurst, VA, within an engineering-focused organization that designs, fabricates, and installs customized, turnkey industrial refrigeration systems. The company employs approximately 380 people, including around 80 engineers and 120 operations staff, and has experienced significant growth, doubling in size over the past two years. The work environment combines office-based project and engineering work with regular interaction with field construction and site activities, including potential nationwide travel to construction sites. The culture emphasizes professional development, advancement opportunities, and structured training and apprenticeship programs. Employees receive weekly pay and benefit from a comprehensive total rewards package that includes a retirement plan with a company match up to 15%, health insurance with a substantial portion of premiums paid for employees and families, dental and vision insurance, competitive vacation and holiday pay, supplemental insurance options, short-term and long-term disability coverage, accidental death and dismemberment coverage after one year, and life insurance coverage after one year. Additional perks include referral incentives, discounts on cell phone plans and rental vehicles for eligible positions, and a bonus structure targeted at 10%, reflecting a performance-oriented environment with strong opportunities for growth.

Interested in learning more? Schedule a meeting with Recruiter, Vicky Glass, using this link: https://talentassistant.actalentservices.com/assistant/bookings/qGY4OVBM

This is a Permanent position based out of Lyndhurst, VA.

The pay range for this position is $120000.00 - $160000.00/yr.

• Retirement plan; company matches dollar for dollar up to 15% • Health insurance; company pays 75% of the premiums for employee/family • Dental insurance • Vision insurance • Weekly pay • Competitive vacation & holiday pay • Supplemental insurance available (Aflac) • Short-term & long-term disability coverage • Accidental death/dismemberment coverage after one year of employment • Life insurance coverage after one year of employment • Employee referral incentives • Opportunities for advancement, professional development, training opportunities, and apprenticeship programs available • Discounts on cell phone plans, rental vehicles, and other company discounts for eligible positions 10% bonus structure, lots of opp to grow

This is a fully onsite position in Lyndhurst,VA.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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