CertificationsBachelor of Science, Project Management Professional
Field of studyBusiness, Engineering
Preferred qualifications
Field of studyProject Management
Study levelMaster's
Original posting
R&D Project Engineer |Burnsville, MN
JOB SUMMARY
We are seeking a motivated and hardworking individual to join our team in Burnsville, MN as an R&D Project Engineer. You will be part of a group of engineers dedicated to high-quality work, value-add solutions, skill development, and career growth. We welcome candidates from the Twin Cities metro and beyond to apply.
Employees working in Burnsville, MN have a short commute from Savage, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Eagan, Lakeville, and Prior Lake and will enjoy professional growth and community engagement through our regional presence in Minnesota, Wisconsin, North Dakota and South Dakota.
As an R&D Project Engineer, you will:
Lead complex engineering projects within a Research, Development and Engineering (RDE) environment, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget
Manage full project lifecycles including planning, execution, tracking, close‑out, and lessons learned
Build and maintain detailed project schedules, charters, financial summaries, RAID logs, and stakeholder communication plans
Drive consistent project execution, governance, and reporting practices across RDE
Lead onboarding, coaching, and mentoring of project team members in risk management, resource planning, scope control, scheduling, and stakeholder communication
Coordinate project requirements, design reviews, verification and validation activities, engineering change control, and market launch readiness
Identify project risks and implement mitigation plans balancing technical, financial, and business impacts
Report project progress, risks, and performance to leadership on established cadences
Navigate difficult conversations, align cross‑functional priorities, and calm stakeholders during high‑pressure situations
Contribute to project governance standards, tools, templates, and continuous improvement initiatives
Support portfolio reviews, resource balancing, and scenario analysis
Collaborate cross‑functionally to remove barriers, align priorities, and improve execution effectiveness
Lead projects through ambiguity, shifting priorities, and evolving business needs in a still‑developing PMO environment
This role is ideal for seasoned Project Engineers who bring technical literacy and strong project leadership experience, capable of owning complex, high‑visibility projects with significant customer and business impact.
QUALIFICATIONS
Bachelor of Science degree or higher in engineering or a business‑related field
PMP (Issued by PMI) or a Master’s Degree in Project Management
7+ years leading engineering projects in mechanical, electrical, R&D, technology, or product development environments
Proven experience building project schedules, charters, financial summaries, RAID logs, and stakeholder communication plans
Demonstrated ability to lead projects in environments with immature or evolving PMO processes
Strong business acumen with experience navigating difficult conversations, aligning priorities, and influencing without authority
Proficiency with project scheduling and reporting tools including Microsoft Project, Planner, and related platforms
Demonstrated success in business process improvement and structured project governance
Strong communication, organizational, interpersonal, and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to calm stakeholders during high‑pressure situations
Experience with Microsoft 365 (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, OneNote, Teams, SharePoint), AI tools (Copilot/ChatGPT), and mind‑mapping tools (e.g., Mindomo)
Experience driving technology or products to commercialization strongly preferred
Ability to lead mechanical and electrical engineers while working in Agile, Waterfall, or hybrid environments
Experience managing external vendors, suppliers, or development partners preferred
Ability to travel up to 20% domestically and internationally
Capable of working independently and as a team member
Strong work ethic and unwavering integrity
Excellent interpersonal skills and a learning mindset
Curiosity, problem solving, and analytical thinking
Effective verbal and written communication
Desire to work on a variety of projects
ESTIMATED PAY RANGE
Project Manager: $48.95 – $59.82/hour
Program Manager: $59.09 – $72.22/hour
Final compensation is based on experience, skills, and alignment with role expectations. Paid overtime may be available.
COMPANY OVERVIEW
Applied Engineering is a 100% employee-owned engineering consulting company dedicated to providing exceptional talent and service to manufacturers across the Midwest and beyond. We have won numerous awards, including Best Place to Work and Top Place to Intern.
Innovation, problem solving, integrity, and collaboration are a few things you'll experience and represent while working with Applied. If you appreciate a challenge, variety, and a quicker pace, then we would like to get to know you better.
Our unique company culture blends talent, technology, and flexibility. We offer a career trajectory few others can match, with opportunities to take on roles and assignments aligned with your skills and interests.
In addition, we offer a comprehensive compensation and benefits package including:
Competitive salary
401K retirement plan
Paid time off and paid holidays
Continuing Education Support
Medical, dental, vision, life, disability, and other insurance options
Paid overtime
Flexible work schedule
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
Please consider joining Applied's team of talented employees in Burnsville, Savage, Apple Valley, Bloomington, Eagan, Lakeville, and Prior Lake, Brooklyn Park, and the greater Twin Cities metro area.
Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States. We regret that we do not offer sponsorship.
Applied Engineering is committed to a diverse workforce and is an Equal Opportunity Employer.
ID 20261036
Award Winning – Employee Owned – Comprehensive Benefits
Relocation Assistance – Ownership Opportunity – Continuing Education Support