Project Engineer Jobs in Columbia, SC (NOW HIRING)

Position Summary

The Project Engineer will lead and manage capital and engineering projects in a copper foil manufacturing facility. This role is responsible for the technical, budgetary, scheduling, and field execution aspects of assigned projects while serving as the primary liaison between the Camden Copper Process Team and contractors.

The Project Engineer will oversee projects from concept through commissioning, ensuring all work is completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and to required quality standards. This position is ideal for an engineer with strong leadership skills, hands-on field experience, and the ability to coordinate multiple stakeholders in a fast-paced industrial environment.

Plant Specific Responsibilities

Project Planning & Management

• Develop project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, and execution plans for capital and plant improvement projects.
• Manage the full project lifecycle from design and procurement through construction, startup, and closeout.
• Track project milestones, deliverables, expenditures, and timelines to ensure successful completion.
• Identify project risks and implement mitigation plans to minimize delays and cost overruns.
• Prepare and maintain project documentation, schedules, budgets, and change management records.

 Technical Coordination

• Review engineering drawings, process & instrumentation diagrams (P&IDs), layouts, specifications, and contractor submittals.
• Coordinate engineering design activities with internal stakeholders and external contractors.
• Prepare and analyze technical specifications for equipment, systems, and construction packages.
• Support equipment selection, installation planning, and commissioning activities.
• Ensure designs meet operational needs, plant standards, and applicable codes.

Site & Field Oversight

• Monitor daily field and construction activities to ensure work is completed safely and according to scope.
• Conduct field inspections to verify quality, workmanship, and compliance with project requirements.
• Resolve field issues, design conflicts, and construction challenges in a timely manner.
• Coordinate plant outages, tie-ins, shutdowns, and startup activities with operations and maintenance teams.
• Verify contractor productivity and adherence to project schedules.

Communication & Reporting

• Serve as the primary point of contact between Camden Copper Process Team and Principal Mineral.
• Provide regular project status reports covering schedule, budget, safety, risks, and progress.
• Lead project meetings, contractor coordination meetings, and progress reviews.
• Communicate effectively with operations, maintenance, EHS, engineering, and leadership teams.

Resource Management

• Coordinate internal and external resources required for project execution.
• Manage contractor and subcontractor performance, schedules, and deliverables.
• Support procurement activities including bid packages, vendor selection, equipment ordering, and expediting.
• Ensure materials, tools, and services are available to support field execution.

Safety Management

• Lead contractor safety performance and ensure compliance with Camden Copper safety policies.
• Ensure all permitting practices, lockout/tagout, confined space, hot work, and contractor safety procedures are followed.
• Participate in safety audits, toolbox talks, incident investigations, and corrective actions.
• Promote a zero-incident culture across all project activities.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering or related field required; BSME preferred.
• 4+ years of project engineering, field engineering, or project management experience in industrial, manufacturing, construction, or related environments.
• Experience managing budgets, schedules, contractors, and technical project execution.
• Strong leadership, communication, problem-solving, and organizational skills.
• Proficiency with engineering/design software such as CAD and standard project management tools.
• Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, P&IDs, specifications, and schedules.
• Strong time management skills with ability to manage multiple priorities.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience in utilities systems such as chillers, boilers, cooling water systems, air compressors, and plant infrastructure.
• Prior experience in chemical, metals, mining, battery materials, or heavy industrial environments.
• Experience managing capital projects in an operating plant environment.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management training.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, MS Project, Primavera, or similar software.
• Knowledge of OSHA regulations and contractor safety management.

Physical Requirements

• Ability to work in an industrial manufacturing and construction environment with exposure to noise, dust, heat, humidity, chemicals, and moving equipment.
• Ability to walk active job sites and plant areas for extended periods.
• Ability to climb stairs, ladders, and elevated platforms as needed.
• Ability to stand, bend, kneel, crouch, and access equipment or construction areas.
• Ability to lift 25 pounds regularly and up to 50 pounds occasionally with assistance.
• Ability to wear required PPE including hard hat, safety glasses, hearing protection, gloves, steel-toe footwear, and other task-specific PPE.
• Ability to travel between field locations, contractor work areas, and office settings as required.

Key Competencies

• Leadership and accountability
• Strong communication skills
• Safety-first mindset
• Budget and schedule ownership
• Contractor management
• Technical problem solving
• Organization and prioritization
• Continuous improvement focus

Work Environment

• Combination of office, plant floor, and active construction site environments.
• Exposure to operating industrial equipment and construction activities.
• May require off-hours support during shutdowns, tie-ins, emergencies, or critical project milestones.
• PPE required in designated areas.

Success Measures

• Projects completed safely
• On-time and on-budget delivery
• High-quality field execution
• Effective contractor performance
• Minimal disruption to plant operations
• Strong stakeholder communication
• Successful startup and turnover of completed projects

Camden Copper is North America's only electrodeposited copper foil manufacturer. We are proud to be a part of the Camden, SC community, operating since 1991. Camden Copper is a leader in the manufacture of high-quality electrodeposited foils used in various application. The thin sheet of copper is an excellent electrical conductor therefore essential for printed circuit boards.