Independent Project Manager Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

Project Manager
At Salas O'Brien we tell our clients that we're engineered for impact. This passion for making a difference applies just as much to our team as it does to our projects. That's why we are committed to living our values every day: inspiring, achieving, and connecting as shared owners of our success with a focus on a sustainable future.
Building for the long-term means that all our team members can expect to work on amazing projects with a people-first approach to problem solving. It also means that each member of our team has truly limitless potential to build a unique, meaningful, and high-impact career-and they'll receive great total rewards along the way.
About Us:
Founded in 1975, Salas O'Brien is an employee-owned engineering and professional services firm focused on achieving impact for our clients, our team, and the world. We know that tomorrow's requirements are today's opportunities, and we are here to design lasting solutions for pressing challenges.
We work across a variety of industries providing integrated engineering and consulting services. Our specialized experience includes design for data centers, healthcare, science and technology, high-rise buildings, clean energy, education, and other building types as well as structural and building sciences, infrastructure asset management, advanced robotics, and more.
Our technical expertise is paired with an exceptional team of business development, human resources, finance and accounting, information technology, and marketing professionals, all of whom play a key role in bringing our commitments to life every day.
Job Summary:
The Project Manager will lead and support execution of capital projects within regulated manufacturing environments, including pharmaceutical and life sciences facilities operating under cGMP requirements.
This role is responsible for managing projects through the full lifecycle, including project scoping, planning, design coordination, procurement support, construction oversight, commissioning, qualification/validation support, and turnover. The candidate will work closely with client stakeholders, engineering teams, operations, quality, validation, vendors, and contractors to deliver projects aligned with scope, schedule, cost, compliance, and operational objectives.
Candidates should understand how projects are implemented in regulated environments, including the impact of change control, validation requirements, controlled documentation systems, and operational constraints within active manufacturing facilities.
Responsibilities:

• Project Oversight:

• Lead and support capital projects across the full project lifecycle, including scope development, planning, design coordination, procurement, construction, commissioning, qualification/validation support, and turnover
• Manage projects within operating facilities or greenfield projects, including equipment installations, system upgrades, facility modifications, process improvements, and expansion efforts
• Coordinate project teams and stakeholders to align technical execution, schedule, budget, risk management, and compliance requirements
• Drive issue resolution, decision-making, and follow-through across internal teams, client stakeholders, vendors, and subcontractors to maintain project progress
• Support projects involving process equipment, clean and process utilities, facility infrastructure, manufacturing systems, and related support systems

• Collaboration:

• Work independently while leveraging internal, client, and industry resources to deliver practical and effective project solutions.
• Build and maintain strong professional relationships with team members, clients, suppliers, vendors, and contractors.
• Coordinate across engineering, quality, validation, manufacturing, maintenance, and operations teams to execute projects in regulated manufacturing environments.
• Maintain composure and leadership presence in fast-paced, high-visibility, or high-pressure project settings.

• Documentation:

• Maintain accurate and comprehensive project documentation, including project scopes, schedules, meeting minutes, status reports, technical summaries, and action item tracking.
• Develop and manage documentation in accordance with both engineering project processes (internal execution, project controls, and deliverables) and controlled documentation systems within regulated environments, including cGMP requirements, validation activities, and change control processes.
• Support preparation, review, and coordination of project-related technical documentation, including RFPs, specifications, data sheets, user requirements, turnover documentation, and execution records.
• Collect, track, analyze, and communicate project data, risks, trends, and performance indicators to support informed decision-making.

• Communication:

• Communicate effectively with clients, contractors, vendors, and project teams regarding scope, schedule, budget, risks, deliverables, and compliance requirements, including engagement with stakeholders at technical, managerial, and executive levels.
• Ensure timely and accurate transfer of information in environments requiring controlled documentation, disciplined communication, and coordination across multiple stakeholders.
• Proactively identify and communicate issues, risks, and knowledge gaps, leveraging internal resources and technical networks to support resolution and maintain project momentum.
• Lead project-related meetings and ensure decisions, priorities, and action items are clearly documented and communicated to responsible stakeholders.

• Innovation:

• Support project execution and continuous improvement initiatives focused on efficiency, compliance, cost control, and operational reliability.
• Develop and implement practical solutions to project and system challenges, collaborating with cross-functional teams to address client needs.
• Contribute to a collaborative environment by generating ideas, evaluating alternatives, and helping teams adopt changes within regulated and operationally constrained environments.

Qualifications and Experience:

• Educational Background:
• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Chemical, Mechanical, or equivalent preferred).
• Equivalent education and experience may be considered for candidates with significant experience supporting pharmaceutical, biotech, life sciences, or other regulated manufacturing environments.
• Experience:
• 3-10 years of experience supporting or leading capital projects, preferably in:
• Pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences industries.
• OR other regulated manufacturing environments such as food & beverage, cleanroom-based manufacturing, semiconductor, or similarly controlled production settings.
• Candidates without direct pharmaceutical experience may be considered if they have relevant, transferable experience, such as:
• Capital projects within active manufacturing facilities.
• Equipment installation, commissioning, and turnover.
• Utilities, infrastructure, or manufacturing system upgrades in regulated environments.
• Candidates with greater years of experience are expected to demonstrate either:
• Direct pharmaceutical / cGMP experience
• OR strong, clearly transferable project leadership experience within regulated or highly controlled manufacturing environments

• Technical Skills:

• Demonstrated experience leading or supporting execution of capital projects, including scope, schedule, cost, risk, stakeholder coordination, and project controls.
• Experience with project documentation and execution records, including meeting management, status reporting, action tracking, and turnover support.
• Working knowledge of project implementation within regulated environments (cGMP or similar frameworks), including understanding of how project execution interfaces with change control, validation, and controlled documentation systems.
• Familiarity with capital project lifecycles in operating facilities, including design coordination, procurement support, contractor/vendor management, commissioning, and turnover.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills across technical teams, client stakeholders, and leadership audiences.

• Adaptability:

• Ability to manage multiple projects and priorities across changing business, technical, and operational conditions.
• Flexibility to support different project sizes, scopes, and delivery approaches within regulated environment.

• Initiative:

• Demonstrated ability to work independently and lead projects forward with accountability for schedule, budget, communication, and execution outcomes.
• Strong organizational, problem-solving, and follow-through skills with attention to detail.

• Licenses & Certifications:
• PMP certification or progress toward certification is a plus.
• CAPM certification or formal project management training is a plus.
• EIT/FE certification or progress toward professional licensure is a plus.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is considered an asset for candidates supporting complex technical or capital projects, but is not required.

• Nice to Have:
• Experience supporting capital projects within pharmaceutical, biotech, or life sciences manufacturing environments.
• Experience with change control, deviation management, CAPA processes, commissioning, qualification, validation, or project turnover.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional execution across Engineering, Operations, Quality, Validation, Supply Chain, Maintenance, and Manufacturing.
• Experience working with client-facing project execution, contractor/vendor coordination, and regulated documentation systems.

Location: Raleigh, NC or Houston, TX, or other client sites.
Travel: Flexibility and willingness for travel based on project needs.
Compensation & Benefits:
Actual compensation will be determined based on a number of factors including skills, experience, qualifications, and location. This role is also eligible for performance-based bonuses, and a comprehensive U.S. based benefits package, including:

• Medical, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k) with company match
• Paid time off and company holidays
• Wellness programs and employee assistance resources
• Professional development support

For more information, visit our full benefits overview here.
Equal Opportunity Employment Statement
Salas O'Brien provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, colour, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state/provincial, or local laws. Salas O'Brien will accommodate the disability-related needs of applicants as required by law.
Third-Party Agency Notice
Salas O'Brien does not accept unsolicited resumes from external recruiters or agencies. We only work with approved partners engaged directly by our Talent Acquisition team for specific searches. Unsolicited submissions will not be eligible for placement fees.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.