Project Engineer – Quality and Manufacturing Development Program

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.

The Project Engineer supports the implementation, evaluation, and continuous improvement of North America Assurance of Quality (AOQ) requirements across manufacturing operations. This role combines structured development with hands-on experience in laboratory operations, quality systems, manufacturing processes, food safety, auditing, technical problem solving, and customer support. The position develops the technical and leadership capabilities required to independently manage projects, assess risk, communicate findings, and drive sustainable corrective actions.

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 communicate results, risks, and recommendations to stakeholders.
• Support laboratory readiness through calibration, measurement system evaluations, and safe lab practices.
• Serve as Lab Lead when assigned, coordinating priorities, resources, and project communications.
• Complete plant training and departmental rotations to develop knowledge 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 implementation and troubleshooting of quality information systems.
• Collaborate with AOQ, manufacturing facilities, customers, and suppliers to assess compliance and product and process risk.
• Support customer investigations, complaint resolution, technical reviews, and corrective action efforts.
• Build effective partnerships with 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 training 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.
• Effectively communicate technical findings, risks, recommendations, and project updates to stakeholders.
• Apply analytical problem-solving skills to support process improvements, corrective actions, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Foster collaboration across cross-functional teams while supporting customer, supplier, laboratory, quality, and manufacturing objectives.

Required Education:
Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, or Chemical Engineering.

Knowledge, Skills and Competencies:

• Prioritization and sound decision-making
• Clear written and verbal communication
• Collaboration across functions and locations
• Initiative, accountability, and follow-through
• Ability to learn complex manufacturing processes
• Credibility, influence, and developing leadership skills
• Willingness to relocate – relocation is required upon completion of training
• Must be authorized to work in the U.S. on a full-time basis

• 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.