Manufacturing Project Engineer - Nekoosa - #1402990

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
  
  

We Can Offer You

Benefits are the game changer! We value our employee’s health and happiness by providing new hires benefit eligibility on the 1st of the month following date of hire. Our benefits may include:

• Competitive medical, dental, life, AD&D, and vision insurance plans.
• Generous annual time off allotment, including vacation (based on company service), parental leave, paid volunteer time, sick or emergency time, and 12 holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement (up to $5,250 per year), scholarships for dependents, monthly cell phone reimbursement, and annual steel toe and prescription safety glasses reimbursement.
• 401(k), Employee Assistance Program (available to employees and their families), annual bonus program, referral bonus program (up to $1,750), STD, LTD, and much more!
  
  

Who We Are

Nekoosa is the premier manufacturer of specialty print media, with a 60-year legacy of innovation. We offer an extensive portfolio of pressure sensitive films, waterproof synthetic paper, specialty print media, overlaminates, application tapes, and carbonless papers used to produce general-purpose signage; window, wall, and floor graphics; waterproof menus; cut lettering and decals; and multipart forms.

Nekoosa has 6 locations across the U.S. and a partner, Fourbases, in Aalter, Belgium. Our expertise spans coating, converting, and custom plastic extrusion capabilities. We have built an energized culture focused on growth, employee development and market leadership. Our success is rooted in our people, and 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 Nekoosa, and leave your mark on the world.

The Fine Print

A post-offer background check, and drug screen is required.

Nekoosa 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 an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact human resources at [email protected].