Project Engineer (Mandarin Speaking)

The Project Engineer will lead and coordinate the technical execution of global capital projects supporting the expansion of in-house and external molded fiber manufacturing operations across North America, Europe, and Asia.

This role is responsible for translating commercial and operational requirements into executable technical solutions, managing equipment vendors (primarily China-based OEMs), overseeing installation and commissioning, and ensuring projects are delivered on time, on budget, and to performance specification.

The ideal candidate combines strong engineering fundamentals, international project management experience, and the ability to bridge Western operations teams with Mandarin-speaking equipment manufacturers.

Responsibilities:

• Lead front-end engineering of capital projects including: Molded fiber packaging forming lines, Pulp preparation systems, Drying systems (thermal, hot press, industrial ovens), Spray coating systems, Automation and material handling
• Develop and maintain: technical specifications, equipment layouts, utility requirement matrices, project schedules and critical paths, coordinate site readiness.
• OEM & Vendor Management: serve as primary technical liaison with Mandarin-speaking equipment suppliers. Translate engineering requirements between company stakeholders and OEMs. Manage FAT (Factory Acceptance Testing) in China and other OEM locations. Lead SAT (Site Acceptance Testing) at global facilities (Poland, Mexico, etc.) Support negotiation of technical scope changes.
• Commissioning & Ramp-up: Oversee equipment installation and startup at internal and external factories. May require extended periods of time on-site at Footprint facilities in Mexico and Poland. Troubleshoot mechanical, electrical, and process issues. Ensure throughput, scrap rate, and quality metrics meet design standards. Support handoff to operations and maintenance teams.