Project Manager | Engineering + NPI + Multi-Project | Compton, CA (On-Site)

A fast-growing fall protection solutions manufacturer in the South Bay is adding its first-ever dedicated Project Manager to support a 30-person engineering and design team. You'll step in where the chief engineer left off, owning 20-30 concurrent engineering and product development projects, with SolidWorks in the mix and a real runway to grow into engineering work within the first year.𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗔𝗡𝗬Pave Talent is hiring on behalf of our client, a safety equipment manufacturer based in Compton, CA. Growing 25-30% year over year, with 200 employees on site and no budget constraints or lengthy approval chains. They hire smart people and trust them to figure things out.𝗧𝗛𝗘 𝗢𝗣𝗣𝗢𝗥𝗧𝗨𝗡𝗜𝗧𝗬This is a brand-new role. You'll sit within a 30-person engineering and design department, reporting to the chief engineer, who has been absorbing project coordination on top of his own work. The company is growing too fast for that to continue. Projects range from 3-month sprints to 2-year initiatives, shifting in urgency based on safety standard changes, customer requirements, and internal redesign priorities. You will manage 20-30 projects concurrently at any given time.𝗖𝗔𝗥𝗘𝗘𝗥 𝗔𝗖𝗖𝗘𝗟𝗘𝗥𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡This role will evolve. Once the PM function is running efficiently, project coordination may only consume 2-3 hours of the day. The expectation is that this person picks up engineering work alongside it within the first 6 months. If you have the engineering background, there is a real path to doing both.𝗪𝗛𝗔𝗧 𝗬𝗢𝗨'𝗟𝗟 𝗢𝗪𝗡- Manage 20-30 concurrent engineering and product development projects across design, compliance, and NPI workstreams- Build and maintain project plans, schedules, and risk registers in Smartsheet- Coordinate across engineering, design, and sales teams to keep projects on track and stakeholders aligned- Triage project urgency based on safety standard updates, customer requirements, and leadership priorities- Lead NPI coordination, ensuring design, manufacturing, and supply chain teams are ready for product launch- Use SolidWorks familiarity to understand project scope, timelines, and where engineering delays originate- Provide regular project status updates to senior leadership𝗥𝗘𝗤𝗨𝗜𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗡𝗧𝗦𝗥𝗲𝗾𝘂𝗶𝗿𝗲𝗱:- Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Manufacturing Engineering, or a related engineering field- 5+ years of project management experience in a manufacturing or product development environment- Demonstrated track record managing multiple concurrent projects (not single long-cycle programs)- Experience with Smartsheet, MS Project, or a comparable PM tool- Engineering knowledge sufficient to work credibly with design and mechanical engineering teams𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀 𝗣𝗼𝗶𝗻𝘁𝘀:- SolidWorks experience (highly preferred for supporting engineers day-to-day)- PMP certification- NPI process experience- Background from machinery manufacturing, CNC, or industrial assembly environments𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗣𝗘𝗡𝗦𝗔𝗧𝗜𝗢𝗡 𝗔𝗡𝗗 𝗕𝗘𝗡𝗘𝗙𝗜𝗧𝗦𝗕𝗮𝘀𝗲 𝗦𝗮𝗹𝗮𝗿𝘆: Commensurate with experience, above industry average𝗕𝗼𝗻𝘂𝘀: None for this role𝗦𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗱𝘂𝗹𝗲: Monday-Friday, fully on-site, most days done by 4:00-4:30 PM𝗕𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗳𝗶𝘁𝘀: Medical, dental, vision, 401(k) with company match, PTO, paid holidays𝗟𝗼𝗰𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: Compton, CA (South Bay / Los Angeles area)Interested? Apply via LinkedIn and we'll be in touch. Confidential search; your application is fully private.𝗣𝗮𝘃𝗲 𝗧𝗮𝗹𝗲𝗻𝘁 | 𝗛𝗶𝗿𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗥𝗲𝗶𝗺𝗮𝗴𝗶𝗻𝗲𝗱