Project Engineer - Manufacturing
Project Engineer – Manufacturing
- Location: Appleton, WI
- Work Environment: This role requires on-site presence to meet business needs, but our team values flexibility in time management to support a healthy work-life balance.
Make an Impact from Day One
Join a high performance engineering team led by Todd Baumann, Director of Engineering, a forward thinking, systems driven leader who values results, clarity, and autonomy over micromanagement.
In this role, you’ll lead meaningful projects in a manufacturing setting, directly driving $1M+ in annual savings while managing a $2–5M capital pipeline. You’ll be part of strategic initiatives that power real operational and cultural improvements across our Appleton facility and beyond.
What You’ll Do
Strategic Projects (45%)
- Own high-impact capital initiatives from conception to completion
- Deliver projects on-time and on-budget with strong safety and regulatory compliance
- Create and maintain technical and design documentation
Continuous Improvement (45%)
- Drive CI initiatives across business units using Lean principles
- Evaluate process bottlenecks, equipment, and systems
- Track savings, KPIs, and milestones
Operational Support (10%)
- Help operations teams meet quarterly performance goals
- Improve cross-functional collaboration and systems thinking
- Promote sustainable changes through engaged project teams
What You Bring
- +3 years in manufacturing, project engineering, or continuous improvement
- Demonstrated success leading capital or CI projects
- Lean / Six Sigma knowledge (certification preferred)
- Analytical and systems-driven mindset
- Comfortable with data, technical reporting, and performance tracking tools
Key Skills
- Capital Project Management
- Manufacturing Engineering
- Continuous Improvement
- Lean / Six Sigma (Green/Black Belt)
- Root Cause Analysis
- Process Optimization
- AutoCAD / SolidWorks
- KPI Tracking & Reporting
- Plant Engineering
What We Offer:
- Medical, dental, vision, life & AD&D insurance (starts 1st of the month after hire)
- 401(k) with match, HSA options
- Generous PTO + 12 holidays + paid volunteer time
- Tuition reimbursement ($5,250/year) + dependent scholarships
- Monthly cell phone reimbursement
- Annual steel toe & prescription safety glasses reimbursement
- Onsite fitness center, 24/7
- Employee referral bonuses (up to $1,750)
- EAP, STD, LTD, and more
Location
This role is based in Appleton, WI — part of the Fox Cities and Greater Green Bay–Appleton metro area. Enjoy a strong community, affordable living, and easy access to nature, recreation, and manufacturing innovation.
Why Apply?
- Work under a transparent, supportive leader who values autonomy
- Join a stable company with deep roots and bold goals
- Take full ownership of your projects and outcomes
- Be part of a growing, results-driven engineering culture
Who We Are:
Appvion is the market leader in manufacturing specialty and high-performance coatings for direct thermal and film applications in North America. We innovate sustainable specialty coating solutions that are a part of many tickets, labels, tags, and packages consumers touch daily.
As a premier employer of choice, distinguished by the Fox Cities Chamber of Commerce Employee Friendly Workplace certification, our success is rooted in our people. We are committed to promoting work life balance and integration by investing significantly in employee-friendly policies and practices. Whether you are looking to start, make a change, or advance your career, find your path at Appvion, and leave your mark on the world.
The Fine Print:
A post-offer background check, and drug screen is required.
Appvion provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, 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, or local laws. If you need assistance or accommodation due to a disability, you may contact human resources at recruiter@appvion.com.