Performance Improvement Project Manager Jobs in Raleigh, NC

Job Title: Project Manager

Job Description

This Project Manager role oversees complex engineering projects in a highly technical environment, managing multiple initiatives simultaneously and serving as the primary point of contact for clients. The position focuses on design engineering oversight, project coordination, and project financial management, ensuring that projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. The role requires strong leadership, client interface, and technical skills in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or similar engineering disciplines, with significant responsibility for project scheduling, documentation, and compliance.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage multiple engineering projects concurrently, typically ranging from approximately $300,000 to $750,000 in value and lasting 6 to 18 months.
• Serve as the main point of contact for clients, handling deadlines, issues, conflicts, and overall client relations throughout the project lifecycle.
• Provide technical direction and task assignments to team members, motivating, organizing, and coordinating the project team to achieve project objectives.
• Oversee design engineering activities, focusing on design checking, review of drawings, calculations, and evaluations prepared by designers and drafters.
• Manage project budgets and margins, analyze financial performance, and make informed financial decisions that affect the overall health of the project.
• Coordinate project engineering tasks, including project planning, estimation, change order management, and document control.
• Develop, maintain, and apply project scheduling techniques to plan work, track progress, and ensure timely completion of project milestones.
• Ensure compliance with company policies, procedures, and processes, as well as project-specific financial obligations and contractual requirements.
• Interface heavily with clients and internal stakeholders to communicate project status, risks, and technical issues clearly and professionally.
• Support projects involving upgrades and refurbishments, such as new fencing, video monitoring systems, and other facility improvement initiatives.
• Prepare and deliver presentations, reports, and documentation related to project progress, technical findings, and financial performance.
• Effectively manage time and priorities while working on several projects simultaneously, balancing competing demands and deadlines.
• Maintain accurate and organized project documentation, including design records, change orders, schedules, and financial reports.
• Comply with nuclear plant access requirements and maintain eligibility for unescorted access, including adherence to security and safety protocols.
• Perform walkdowns of equipment in industrial plant environments, including climbing ladders, accessing security-controlled areas, and entering confined spaces and controlled hazardous areas.
• Travel to client sites as needed to support project planning, execution, and client meetings.
• Work overtime as required to meet project deadlines and support critical project activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in engineering or other technical specialty from an accredited university, with coursework in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or a similar technical scope.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in design engineering, project management, and client relations.
• Experience with operating plant procedures and processes, including working within established industrial or plant environments.
• Strong experience in budget analysis and budget forecasting, with the ability to manage project margins and financial performance.
• Proven ability to manage, motivate, and organize team members, providing clear technical direction and task assignments.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, including the ability to prepare and deliver effective presentations.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, and competency in email and database software.
• Effective time management skills, with demonstrated ability to work on several projects concurrently and prioritize tasks.
• Knowledge of and experience in project scheduling techniques and tools.
• Ability to understand and comply with company policies, procedures, and processes, including those related to financial obligations on projects.
• Capability to pass security screening and drug screening and maintain unescorted nuclear plant access.
• Ability to perform physical tasks in industrial environments, including climbing ladders, accessing security-controlled areas, and entering confined spaces and controlled hazardous areas.
• Willingness and ability to work overtime as required.
• Willingness and ability to travel to client sites as needed.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Master of Science in engineering or other technical specialty from an accredited university, with coursework in mechanical, electrical, chemical, or similar technical scope, is desired.
• Professional Engineering registration (EIT or PE) is highly preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification is highly preferred.
• Experience in project coordination, project engineering, and change order management.
• Experience in mechanical design and design checking for engineering projects.
• Experience with estimation and document control for engineering and construction-related projects.
• Experience working on nuclear-related projects or in nuclear plant environments.
• Demonstrated ability to balance multiple priorities and “plate spinning” across several active projects.
• Interest in long-term career growth, including opportunities for investment in PE and PMP credentials and professional development.
• Strong client-facing skills, with the ability to build and maintain positive client relationships.

Work Environment

The role is based either in an office setting or embedded onsite at a nuclear plant, supporting projects in an industrial environment. Work involves regular interaction with engineering and design teams, as well as frequent communication with clients and plant personnel. The position includes time spent in office environments using standard computer and software tools, combined with field work performing equipment walkdowns and inspections in operational plant areas. The industrial environment may involve climbing ladders, entering confined spaces, and accessing security-controlled and controlled hazardous areas while adhering to strict safety and security protocols. The schedule may require overtime to meet project deadlines, and travel to client sites is expected. The organization supports long-term professional growth, including investment in Professional Engineering and Project Management Professional development.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Durham, NC.

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $85.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a fully onsite position in Durham,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 20, 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.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.