Project Engineer – Quality and Manufacturing Development Program

Company Description

To be the leading producer of glass bottles and jars worldwide you need passion, commitment and innovation baked into the very fabric of a business and its people. For more than 120 years, our glass makers have honed their craft—channeling their creativity into more than 1,800 patents held today. When you join O-I you become part of that story.

O-I has more than a century of experience crafting pure, sustainable, brand-building glass packaging for many of the world’s best-known food and beverage brands. We are proud to provide high quality glass packaging for beer, wine, spirits, food, non-alcoholic beverages, cosmetics and pharmaceuticals. We are dedicated to make what matters to shape a healthier, more sustainable and more exciting world. We transform the industry to make glass more relevant and more accessible to more people.

Job Description

The Project Engineer supports the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of North America Assurance of Quality (AOQ) requirements across O-I's manufacturing operations. This development-focused role combines structured training with hands-on experience in laboratory operations, quality systems, manufacturing processes, auditing, customer support, and technical problem-solving, providing a strong foundation for long-term career growth.

Working alongside quality, engineering, and manufacturing professionals, you will gain valuable exposure to plant operations, cross-functional initiatives, and real-world business challenges while contributing to projects that impact quality, compliance, and operational performance. Through meaningful project assignments, plant exposure, and collaboration with teams across the organization, you'll develop the technical expertise and leadership capabilities needed to assess risk, communicate findings and recommendations, and drive sustainable continuous improvement initiatives.

As you progress in the role, you'll build the skills, confidence, and experience required to independently manage projects, lead improvement efforts, and make a measurable impact across O-I's North American manufacturing network, preparing you for future technical and leadership opportunities within the organization.

The Project Engineer Will:

• Plan, execute, and report on laboratory and technical projects from initiation through completion.
• Conduct or support quality risk assessments, GMP assessments, process audits, compliance audits, and other internal audits across North American manufacturing facilities.
• Support customer audits through preparation, documentation, evidence collection, and follow-up activities.
• Verify corrective action effectiveness, identify recurring issues, and assist in developing improvement plans.
• Maintain audit tools, procedures, training materials, and controlled quality documentation.
• Support food safety programs, including GMP, HACCP, FSSC 22000, mock recalls, food defense, environmental monitoring, and third-party audits.
• Ensure compliance with document control, record retention, and confidentiality requirements.
• Perform container testing and measurements according to approved methods, specifications, and safety requirements.
• Maintain project documentation, specifications, traceability records, test data, and status updates.
• Prepare technical reports and clearly communicate results, risks, recommendations, and project updates to key stakeholders.
• Support laboratory readiness through calibration activities, measurement system evaluations, and safe laboratory practices.
• Serve as Lab Lead when assigned, coordinating priorities, resources, and project communications.
• Complete plant training and departmental rotations to develop a comprehensive understanding of glass manufacturing processes, quality systems, inspection equipment, packaging, warehousing, and laboratory operations.
• Participate in production and quality activities, including job changes, positive release, requalification, gauge management, and daily operational meetings.
• Analyze manufacturing and quality data to identify variation, improve process capability, support root-cause investigations, and recommend corrective actions.
• Support the implementation, optimization, and troubleshooting of quality information systems.
• Collaborate with AOQ, manufacturing facilities, customers, and suppliers to assess compliance and evaluate product and process risk.
• Support customer investigations, complaint resolution, technical reviews, and corrective action efforts.
• Build strong partnerships across quality, operations, engineering, maintenance, commercial, and regional/global teams.
• Maintain required training qualifications and obtain approval before independently performing testing activities.
• Participate in development reviews and maintain training, project, and travel documentation.
• Complete assigned technical and leadership development programs.

The Project Engineer Should:

• Develop expertise in automatic inspection systems, validation methods, and inspection-related risk assessment.
• Demonstrate strong prioritization, communication, safety awareness, accountability, and execution skills.
• Progress from supported participation to independent project leadership and, when qualified, provide training and coaching to others.
• Communicate technical findings, risks, recommendations, and project updates effectively to a variety of stakeholders.
• Apply analytical and problem-solving skills to drive process improvements, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster collaboration across cross-functional teams while supporting customer, supplier, laboratory, quality, and manufacturing objectives.

Qualifications

Required Education

• Bachelor's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies

• Strong prioritization and sound decision-making skills.
• Clear written and verbal communication abilities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across functions, teams, and locations.
• Demonstrated initiative, accountability, and follow-through.
• Capacity to learn and understand complex manufacturing processes and systems.
• Ability to build credibility, influence others, and develop leadership capabilities.
• Willingness to relocate upon completion of the training program.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis.

Additional Information

• Extensive travel is required for training, plant support, audits, customer or supplier activities, and projects. Travel is approximately 50% and may include Canada.

O-I offers a very generous benefit package – some of the highlights are:

• Generous vacation time and paid holidays
• Comprehensive medical, dental, prescription, and vision care coverage
• Engaging wellbeing program with opportunities to earn employer contributions
• Life and AD&D insurance for peace of mind
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with substantial employer contributions
• Supportive Employee Assistance Program for personal and professional guidance
• Relocation assistance and support with moving expenses as applicable

O-I is an Equal Opportunity and Affirmative Action Employer committed to building a diverse, equitable and inclusive culture. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veteran status or other protected categories.

Qualified individuals with disabilities or disabled veterans who are unable or limited in their ability to apply on this site may request reasonable accommodations by emailing hr.recruiters@o-i.com.