Project Engineer – CNC Machine Installation & Commissioning
SNK America | Mount Prospect, IL (On-Site)
About SNK America
SNK America is a leading provider of large-scale, high-precision CNC machining centers serving aerospace, defense, energy, and heavy industry customers. Our machines represent significant capital investments — typically $1.5M to $3M per unit — and our customers depend on us to deliver, install, and commission them with excellence.
The Role
We’re looking for an early-career Project Manager to own the full project lifecycle of our CNC machine installations — from order through delivery, installation, commissioning, and customer acceptance. You’ll be the central point of coordination between our engineering team, manufacturing, logistics, subcontractors, and the customer.
This is a ground-floor opportunity. We will invest heavily in training you, and you’ll develop deep expertise in capital equipment project management within a niche, high-value industry. What we need from you is genuine curiosity, drive, and a willingness to learn.
Your Development Path
You’ll begin by working within our Inside Sales team, learning the quoting process and developing a deep understanding of our machines, configurations, and customer requirements. During this phase, you’ll sit in on active project management meetings to build real-world familiarity with installation workflows, timelines, and customer coordination. As you develop confidence and expertise, you’ll transition into managing full-scale installation and commissioning projects independently.
What You’ll Do
- Learn the full scope of SNK America’s product line, machine configurations, and customer applications through hands-on quoting work
- Support the Inside Sales team in preparing proposals and understanding project requirements
- Participate in project management meetings to observe and learn active installation and commissioning workflows
- Progressively take on project coordination responsibilities as your knowledge grows
- Manage project timelines, budgets, and deliverables for CNC machine installations from kickoff to final acceptance
- Coordinate across internal teams (engineering, manufacturing, service) and external stakeholders (customers, freight/logistics, installation crews)
- Track project milestones, flag risks early, and communicate status to leadership and customers
- Support and communicate the planning of machine teardown, shipping, rigging, reassembly, and commissioning activities
- Maintain project documentation including schedules, change orders, and punch lists
What We’re Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Manufacturing, Industrial Technology, Project Management, or a related field (recent graduates are encouraged to apply)
- Strong organizational skills and attention to detail
- Clear, confident communication — you’ll be talking to machinists, engineers, and executives alike
- A genuine enthusiasm for manufacturing, CNC technology, and problem-solving
- Self-starter mindset; comfortable figuring things out and asking good questions
- Proficiency with standard office tools (Excel, email, scheduling software)
Nice to Have (Not Required)
- Experience in manufacturing, machining, or capital equipment
- Exposure to project management or project management methodologies (Gantt charts, MS Project, etc.)
- Familiarity with CNC machines or machine tool industry
- Any hands-on shop floor or project management experience
What We Offer
- A structured development path
- Meaningful ownership and responsibility that grows with you
- The chance to work with world-class machinery and customers in aerospace and defense
- Medical, Dental, Life Insurance, 401k
Location & Requirements
This is a full-time, on-site position at our Mount Prospect, IL facility. Candidates must be able to relocate to the greater Chicago area.