Associate Technical Project Manager Jobs in Reading, PA

NOW HIRING: PROJECT MANAGER

Location: 531 Old Swede Road, Douglassville, PA 19518
Department: Project Sales
Schedule: Monday–Friday | 8:00AM–4:30PM
Compensation: Competitive salary range $75,000 - $100,000+ based on experience, technical capability, education, and market data—compensation level will align with demonstrated knowledge, applicable experience, and ability to contribute independently

Build What Matters. Be Part of Something That Lasts.

At American Crane & Equipment Corporation (ACECO), we design, build, and service custom engineered lifting solutions used in critical industries where precision, safety, and reliability matter—and we invest in the people who make that possible.

We're looking for a Project Manager who can lead complex customer projects from contract award through final delivery. This role is ideal for someone who thrives on organization, communication, problem-solving, and keeping multiple teams aligned toward a common goal.

Our Project Managers own project success.

You'll work directly with customers while coordinating Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, and suppliers to ensure projects remain on schedule, within budget, and aligned with customer expectations.

You won't get lost here. Your work will be seen, and it will matter.

What This Role Really Is

This is a customer-facing project leadership role responsible for managing multiple custom-engineered crane and hoist projects simultaneously.

You'll own project scope, schedule, customer communication, financial milestones, change orders, risk management, and internal coordination from kickoff through final delivery.

Success requires someone who is organized, proactive, decisive, and comfortable balancing technical discussions with customer relationships.

Who Thrives Here (and Who Doesn't)

You'll do well here if you:

• Take ownership of projects from beginning to end
• Communicate proactively with customers and internal teams
• Stay organized while managing multiple priorities
• Make decisions confidently using sound judgment
• Solve problems before they become larger issues
• Enjoy collaborating across engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, quality, and sales

This role is likely not a fit if you:

• Prefer working independently with minimal interaction
• Struggle managing multiple priorities simultaneously
• Avoid difficult customer conversations or conflict resolution
• Need constant direction to keep projects moving
• Prefer routine work over changing project demands

What Success Looks Like (First 90 Days)

First 30 Days

• Learn ACECO products, project lifecycle, and internal processes
• Build relationships with Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, and Sales
• Become familiar with project documentation, customer requirements, and scheduling tools
• Participate in customer meetings and project reviews

Days 31–60

• Begin managing assigned projects with increasing independence
• Coordinate customer communications and internal project meetings
• Track schedules, budgets, deliverables, and invoice milestones
• Support scope changes and change order development

Days 61–90

• Independently manage multiple active projects
• Proactively resolve project risks and customer issues
• Maintain project schedules, financial tracking, and customer satisfaction
• Build confidence as the primary point of contact for assigned customers

Why Join Our Team at American Crane?

Meaningful Projects

Lead highly customized crane and lifting system projects supporting nuclear energy, aerospace, defense, and heavy industrial customers.

Cross-Functional Leadership

Partner daily with Engineering, Manufacturing, Purchasing, Quality, Sales, and Executive Leadership.

Customer Impact

Serve as the trusted partner customers rely on to successfully execute complex projects.

Professional Growth

Develop expertise in technical project management, customer leadership, contract execution, and strategic problem-solving.

Stability & Growth

Join an established manufacturer experiencing continued growth while investing in people and long-term careers.

What You'll Do

Project Leadership

• Manage multiple custom-engineered projects from kickoff through completion
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and milestone plans
• Coordinate project execution across Engineering, Purchasing, Manufacturing, Quality, and suppliers
• Ensure customer expectations and contractual commitments are achieved

Customer Communication

• Serve as the primary point of contact throughout the project lifecycle
• Lead project meetings and provide regular status updates
• Resolve customer questions and project challenges
• Build strong long-term customer relationships

Scope, Risk & Financial Management

• Monitor project scope, schedules, and deliverables
• Develop, negotiate, and process change orders
• Track project costs, invoicing milestones, and cash flow
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation strategies

Continuous Improvement

• Support proposal reviews and project planning activities
• Recommend improvements to project management processes
• Contribute to standardization and operational excellence initiatives

What We're Looking For

Education

• Associate degree in a technical field required
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business, or related discipline preferred

Experience

• Minimum 7 years of project management experience, or equivalent combination of experience and demonstrated success
• Experience managing complex industrial, manufacturing, construction, or engineered equipment projects preferred
• Experience coordinating engineering, purchasing, manufacturing, and customer activities

Technical Skills

• Strong project scheduling and organizational skills
• Excellent written and verbal communication
• Microsoft Office proficiency including Excel, Word, and Microsoft Project
• Experience managing project budgets, invoice schedules, and change orders
• Ability to lead customer meetings and influence cross-functional teams

Preferred Qualifications

• Heavy manufacturing or engineered equipment experience
• Crane, hoist, industrial equipment, or custom manufacturing background
• PMP or CAPM certification
• Advanced Excel or project dashboard experience

Skills & Attributes

• Ownership mindset
• Strong decision-making ability
• Professional judgment and integrity
• Excellent conflict resolution skills
• Customer-focused communication
• Ability to balance multiple priorities
• Alignment with ACECO values: Safety, Quality, Continuous Improvement, and GRIT

What's In It For You?

At American Crane & Equipment Corporation, we invest in project leaders who take ownership, solve problems, and build strong customer relationships.

• Competitive salary based on experience and qualifications
• Medical, dental, vision, and life insurance available day one
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match
• Generous paid time off with annual rollover
• 10 paid company holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development opportunities
• High-impact customer-facing role
• Long-term career growth within a growing organization

What to Expect From Our Hiring Process

Every application is reviewed by our team—we do not rely on automated screening tools.

We focus on candidates who demonstrate ownership, reliability, and attention to detail throughout the application process.

Qualified candidates typically hear from us within a few business days depending on applicant volume.

READY TO APPLY?

We hire people who show up, work hard, learn quickly, and take pride in what they do.

If that sounds like you, we encourage you to apply today.

• Submit your application online at Recruitment (adp.com)

Build what matters—and build your future with ACECO.

All offers of employment are contingent upon the successful completion of a background check and drug screen, subject to applicable laws and regulations.

American Crane & Equipment Corporation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.

The company maintains and observes employment policies that do not discriminate against any person because of race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, religion, disability, age, ancestry and any other basis prohibited by federal, state or local law. This applies to recruiting, hiring, training, compensation, overtime, job classifications, work assignments, promotions, demotions, layoffs, terminations, transfers, and all other conditions of employment.

This position requires:

• Valid proof of identity and authorization to work in the U.S. (Form I-9)
• Eligibility to access information or technology governed by U.S. export control laws, including 10 C.F.R. Part 810. If government authorization is required for access to controlled technology, employment or start date may be delayed or withdrawn in accordance with applicable law
• Certain positions and projects may require the ability to obtain and maintain unescorted access to nuclear facilities in compliance with NRC regulations (10 C.F.R. Parts 26 & 73)

The pay for this position is dependent on circumstances including an applicant’s skills and qualifications, certain degrees and certifications, prior job experience, market data, and other relevant factors.

American Crane & Equipment Corporation offers a wide array of comprehensive benefit programs and services including medical, dental, vision, flexible spending and health savings accounts to our benefits-eligible employees. Additional benefits include retirement savings plans like 401(k) and paid time off, paid holidays, and disability coverage. Some benefits offerings are subject to any legal requirements or limitations, employee eligibility status, and where the employee lives and/or works.

NOTE: American Crane & Equipment Corporation is not seeking assistance or accepting unsolicited resumes from search firms for employment opportunities, unless they have a written agreement for the position they are contacting us about. Regardless of past practice, all resumes submitted by search firms to any employee at American Crane & Equipment Corporation without a valid written search agreement in place for that position will be deemed the sole property of American Crane & Equipment Corporation, and no fee will be paid in the event the candidate is hired by American Crane & Equipment Corporation as a result of the referral or through other means.