Entry Level Project Engineer Jobs in Elgin, IL (NOW HIRING)

Company: KNZ Services Inc.

Location: Warrenville, IL / Greater Chicago Area

Position Type: Full-Time

Schedule: Monday–Friday, business hours, with flexibility required based on project and installation schedules

Pay Range: $68,000–$82,000 annually, based on experience

Reports To: Division Manager

Works Closely With: Technicians, Warehouse Manager, Accounting, customers, vendors, and factory contacts

Growth Path: Project Manager II, Senior Project Manager, Installation Operations Lead, Service & Project Operations Leadership

KNZ Services Inc. supports industrial machinery customers in the printing and packaging industry. Our work includes equipment support, spare parts, service coordination, installations, conveyors, pile turners, and after-sales service.

We are growing our U.S. operation and are looking for the right entry-level person to join our team, learn the business, and grow with the company. This is a strong opportunity for someone who is organized, dependable, a strong communicator, and interested in building a career in project management, installation coordination, service operations, and industrial equipment support.

KNZ Services Inc. is hiring an Installation Project Manager to coordinate customer installations, project schedules, technician readiness, parts readiness, documentation, and project closeout.

This is an entry-level / growth-track project management role. The ideal candidate does not need to know KNZ’s equipment on day one, but must be highly organized, comfortable managing details, able to communicate professionally, and willing to learn how industrial machinery projects are planned and completed.

This person will work closely with the Chief of Staff, Division Manager, Warehouse Manager, Accounting & Bookkeeping Coordinator, technicians, customers, vendors, and factory contacts to make sure projects stay organized from planning through completion.

Manage the master installation project schedule and keep project dates, milestones, and task owners updated.

Coordinate project timelines with customers, technicians, the Division Manager, Chief of Staff, Warehouse Manager, vendors, and factory contacts.

Create and maintain project folders, installation checklists, customer communications, project notes, schedules, and closeout documentation.

Track project milestones, open tasks, customer readiness, parts status, technician availability, travel needs, risks, and deadlines.

Work with the Warehouse Manager to confirm required parts, tools, equipment, and materials are available and staged before installation dates.

Coordinate technician travel, hotel needs, customer site access, jobsite timing, installation paperwork, and project-specific documentation.

Communicate with customers regarding installation dates, project updates, required preparation, open items, and schedule changes.

Support communication with factory contacts when needed for technical documentation, drawings, parts information, installation questions, or project support.

Track project-related costs, technician time, travel receipts, change orders, and billing milestones.

Notify the Accounting & Bookkeeping Coordinator when deposits, progress invoices, final invoices, or project closeout billing are ready.

Help identify delays, missing information, parts issues, scheduling conflicts, or customer concerns early and escalate them to the Chief of Staff and Division Manager.

Collect and organize project closeout information, including customer signoffs, photos, punch lists, technician notes, warranty notes, and lessons learned.

Assist with improving project templates, installation checklists, scheduling procedures, and internal communication as the company grows.

Entry-level experience in project coordination, scheduling, operations, construction administration, field service coordination, business administration, logistics, or customer service.

Highly organized and able to manage multiple moving parts at the same time.

Strong written and verbal communication skills.

Comfortable communicating with customers, technicians, vendors, coworkers, and management.

Able to follow up consistently and keep projects moving.

Calm under pressure and able to adjust when schedules, parts, customers, or technician availability change.

Comfortable using Microsoft Outlook, Excel, Word, Teams, SharePoint, and shared digital folders.

Able to create schedules, task lists, checklists, and organized project records.

Interested in industrial equipment, machinery, field service, installations, operations, or project management.

Willing to learn KNZ equipment, installation processes, customer requirements, and internal systems.

Associate’s or bachelor’s degree in business, project management, construction management, operations, supply chain, engineering technology, industrial technology, or a related field.

Experience in project management, project coordination, construction coordination, field service, machinery, manufacturing, automation, printing, packaging, or installation work.

Experience with Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, Monday.com, QuickBooks, SharePoint, Teams, Excel, or similar project tracking tools.

Basic understanding of purchase orders, change orders, customer invoices, billing milestones, technician scheduling, or job costing.

Ability to read basic layouts, drawings, project notes, service documents, or technical instructions.

Recent graduates or students from local technical, business, operations, construction management, or project management programs are encouraged to apply.

All active installations are listed in one clear master project schedule.

Each active project has an organized project folder, checklist, task list, and next-action owner.

Parts readiness, technician availability, travel needs, and customer readiness are reviewed weekly.

Project risks, delays, and missing information are identified and escalated early.

The Warehouse Manager receives clear notice of parts and materials needed for upcoming installations.

The Accounting & Bookkeeping Coordinator receives timely updates when billing milestones are reached.

Project closeout documentation is collected consistently after each installation.

Communication between customers, technicians, warehouse, accounting, and management becomes more organized and predictable.

Pay Range: $68,000–$82,000 annually, based on experience.

Benefits include:

2 weeks paid time off.

Paid holidays.

Company retirement plan with up to 4% company match.

Health insurance options, if eligible under company plan.

Training and growth opportunities.

Company-provided work tools as needed.

Travel reimbursement for approved company travel.

This position is designed to grow with KNZ Services Inc. As the company expands, the Installation Project Manager may have the opportunity to move into a larger role such as Project Manager II, Senior Project Manager, Installation Operations Lead, or another leadership position within service and project operations.

The right person will have the opportunity to help build KNZ’s project management system from the ground up and become a key part of the company’s long-term U.S. growth.

KNZ Services Inc. is building a stronger U.S. operation and is looking for people who want to grow with the company. This role is ideal for someone who wants hands-on experience in project management, customer coordination, industrial equipment installations, technician scheduling, parts planning, and service operations.

You will not just be tracking dates. You will be helping build the project structure that supports KNZ’s installations, service work, customer relationships, and future growth.

KNZ Services Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. We consider applicants for all positions without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, or any other legally protected status.