Associate Project Manager Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Seeking to hire an Associate Project Manager for an opportunity in Lisle, IL. Will support the planning and execution of reliability test projects under the guidance of senior team members. This role emphasizes learning lab processes, understanding test methodologies, and coordinating assigned tasks to ensure smooth project flow. Works closely with engineers and supervisors to maintain schedules, prepare resources, and uphold quality standards. Will execute clearly defined tasks within established procedures, including data collection, equipment setup, and documentation. Proactively escalates risks or issues that may impact timelines or quality. Operates with limited decision-making authority, focusing on accuracy, compliance, and continuous skill development in reliability testing and lab operations.
Responsibilities:

• Build and maintain integrated test schedules, milestones, and deliverables that balance lab capacity and customer commitments, proactively surface risks, and recovery plans.
• Drive coordination across the lab to share fixtures/equipment while minimizing idle time and bottlenecks.
• Maintain project documentation (timelines, change logs, decisions, action items) using standard SharePoint/Teams controls and RIM practices for versioning, permissions, and records.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for test scope, timelines, status, and technical clarifications; manage expectations and change requests professionally.
• Translate customer requirements into measurable acceptance criteria and communicate impacts to schedule/capacity across sites.
• Facilitate regular check-ins to address open issues and ensure satisfaction; escalate when risks threaten deliverables.
• Ensure procedures and documentation align with applicable quality standards (e.g., ISO 9001:2015; ISO/IEC 17025:2017) adopted by similar lab functions across all corporate entities.

Communications:

• Assist in drafting and delivering clear, professional communications to internal teams and stakeholders under the guidance of senior staff.
• Help prepare meeting notes, project updates, and status reports, ensuring accuracy and consistency with established templates and standards.

Data & Reporting:

• Compile clear, customer ready reports that present method, setup, results, statistical analyses, deviations, and pass/fail conclusions against acceptance criteria.
• Validate data integrity by checking for anomalies, missing values, or deviations before deeper analysis.
• Perform initial trend analysis and summary statistics (e.g., averages, ranges, pass/fail counts) to identify potential issues early.
• Document observations and escalate irregularities to engineering teams for further review.

Leadership & Initiatives:

• Develops foundational knowledge of project management principles, methodologies, and best practices through self-directed learning and on-the-job experience.
• Demonstrates initiative in acquiring skills related to planning, scheduling, risk management, and resource allocation without formal mentorship.
• Applies learned concepts to support project activities, ensuring alignment with organizational standards and objectives.
• Seeks feedback proactively from peers and supervisors to refine understanding and improve performance.

Problem Solving & Critical Thinking:

• Support project tracking and documentation to ensure timely completion of deliverables.
• Convey information accurately and professionally to team members, stakeholders, and customers.
• Prepare concise updates, meeting notes, and status reports to maintain alignment across projects.
• Engage in continuous learning to support lab operations and improve technical skills.

Qualifications:

• Understand and apply basic project management concepts such as scheduling, task prioritization, and resource coordination.
• Utilize Excel for data organization and analysis, Word for documentation, and PowerPoint for creating clear presentations.
• Ability to apply formatting and reporting best practices to produce professional, customer-ready deliverables.
• Adaptability and eagerness to master new testing equipment, software, and reliability methodologies.
• Project management experience in an electronics or electrical product manufacturing testing laboratory setting is ideal.
• Must have a degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering.

Job Benefits:

• After 30 days of employment, you will qualify for health benefits, including medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• You will accrue 1 hour of PTO for every 40 hours you work; it starts accruing immediately.
• Paid overtime.