Project Engineer

Project Engineer Location: Christchurch
Department: Engineering
Reporting to: Head of Engineering / Engineering Manager

The Role We are seeking an experienced Project Engineer to join an established engineering team, leading defined activities across pre-project development and project execution for aluminium mill equipment and revamp projects.

The successful candidate will take technical ownership throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring engineering solutions meet contractual specifications, customer expectations and agreed project objectives.

Working closely with multidisciplinary engineering teams, Project Managers and other business functions, you will ensure projects are delivered safely, on time and within budget, maintaining high standards of technical quality, commercial awareness and engineering compliance.

This is a varied role offering involvement from initial bid development through to manufacture, installation, commissioning and final acceptance.

Key Responsibilities

• Provide technical leadership across engineering activities for revamp projects, primarily within aluminium rolling mill applications.
  
  
• Lead and coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams throughout the project lifecycle, from initial bid through to Final Acceptance Certificate (FAC).
  
  
• Ensure engineering designs and documentation are delivered to the required quality standards, within agreed budgets and project timescales.
  
  
• Ensure all engineering outputs comply with relevant company procedures, statutory obligations and applicable international standards, with safety embedded throughout the design process.
  
  
• Work alongside the Engineering Manager and Project Manager, taking technical ownership of designated project areas and supporting successful, commercially viable contract delivery.
  
  
• Monitor and report on engineering budgets, progress, KPIs and project changes.
  
  
• Supervise and support engineers assigned to projects, ensuring the delivery of compliant and cost-effective designs, drawings, specifications, schedules, calculations and technical manuals.
  
  
• Coordinate engineering activities and resources, ensuring team members adhere to relevant operating procedures and statutory requirements.
  
  
• Lead and participate in engineering design reviews, safety reviews and project risk assessments.
  
  
• Manage and monitor third-party design and detailing activities, ensuring quality, programme, budget and compliance requirements are met.
  
  
• Prepare engineering man-hour and material budgets for pre-project bids, balancing commercial competitiveness with successful project execution.
  
  
• Provide technical support to the Sales team during customer discussions and contract negotiations.
  
  
• Support equipment manufacture, testing, installation and commissioning, both from the office and on customer sites.
  
  
• Develop and maintain effective working relationships with customers, suppliers and subcontractors to support successful project delivery and future business opportunities.
  
  
• Provide site-based engineering support when required.
  
  

Essential Skills and Knowledge

• Strong engineering design knowledge, ideally within aluminium rolling mill applications.
  
  
• Demonstrable project ownership and accountability.
  
  
• Knowledge of mechanical and machine design principles, including engineering drawings and drafting.
  
  
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and coordinate workloads across engineering teams.
  
  
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage effectively with technical and non-technical stakeholders at all levels.
  
  
• Understanding of Environment, Health and Safety legislation and requirements.
  
  
• Self-motivated, organised and effective at managing time and competing priorities.
  
  
• IT literate, with experience using engineering and business systems, particularly 2D/3D CAD, Autodesk Vault and SAP.
  
  

Desirable Skills and Knowledge

• Understanding of project management, planning, procurement, sales and research and development functions.
  
  
• Knowledge of fluid systems, electrical engineering and automation technologies.
  
  
• Experience working within international engineering environments and an appreciation of different cultures.
  
  

Required Experience

• Experience in project engineering, with involvement across the full project lifecycle, from sales and initial engineering through to manufacture, installation and commissioning.
  
  
• Experience leading or coordinating engineering teams during project execution, both office-based and on-site.
  
  
• Strong problem-solving skills, with the ability to make informed technical decisions and contribute positively to engineering discussions.
  
  
• Experience delivering complex engineering projects within demanding technical, commercial and programme requirements.
  
  

Education and Qualifications

• HNC, HND or Degree in an engineering-related discipline, or equivalent practical experience and professional training.
  
  

Additional Requirements

• Flexibility to undertake UK and international travel, sometimes at short notice.
  
  
• Ability to work effectively within a multicultural and multinational engineering environment.
  
  

With over 90 years' combined experience, NES Fircroft (NES) is proud to be the world's leading engineering staffing provider spanning the Oil & Gas, Power & Renewables, Chemicals, Construction & Infrastructure, Life Sciences, Mining and Manufacturing sectors worldwide. With more than 80 offices in 45 countries, we are able to provide our clients with the engineering and technical expertise they need, wherever and whenever it is needed. We offer contractors far more than a traditional recruitment service, supporting with everything from securing visas and work permits, to providing market-leading benefits packages and accommodation, ensuring they are safely and compliantly able to support our clients.