Project Manager - Vactor Manufacturing

JOB RESPONSIBILITIES:

• Own overall project performance, ensuring delivery on time, within scope, and within budget
• Lead end-to-end execution of products—from concept, design, and prototyping through production launch
• Drive alignment between engineering design, manufacturability, and cost targets
• Develop and manage detailed project plans, timelines, budgets, and resource allocations
• Maintain project timelines and track progress against milestones, including design reviews, prototype builds, testing, and production readiness
• Coordinate with product management, engineering (mechanical, electrical, controls), operations, supply chain, quality, and sales teams
• Lead regular project meetings and provide updates to leadership
• Manage projects through structured stage-gates
• Ensure completion of required deliverables such as design validation, risk analysis, and process documentation
• Maintain project documentation within appropriate systems
• Partner with operations to ensure design for manufacturability (DFM) and efficient production processes
• Coordinate testing, validation, and quality assurance activities to meet performance standards
• Support development of work instructions, tooling, and equipment requirements
• Collaborate with supply chain to source materials, components, and outsourced services
• Manage supplier timelines, tooling development, and quality expectations
• Address supply chain risks impacting product launch
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks (technical, schedule, cost, supply chain)
• Lead issue tracking and resolution to ensure timely closure of project gaps
• Drive continuous improvement through post-launch reviews, lesson learned, and process enhancements

EXPERIENCE AND SKILLS REQUIRED:

• 5+ years of project management experience in industrial manufacturing or engineered products
• Experience with capital equipment, heavy manufacturing, or custom-engineered products preferred
• Strong familiarity with NPD processes, including stage-gate, or similar frameworks

• Strong understanding of manufacturing processes (machining, fabrication, assembly, etc.)
• Proficiency in Excel, PowerPoint, and project management tools, such as Asana preferred
• Ability to manage complex, multi-phase projects with technical and operational dependencies
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills
• Strong problem-solving, risk management, and decision-making capabilities

EDUCATION REQUIRED: Bachelor’s degree preferred. PMP certification or equivalent preferred.

Salary Range - $85-105k

Benefits of Employment:

In addition to excellent career growth opportunities, Federal Signal Corporation offers a wide array of benefits including: annual bonus potential, insurance (life, medical, dental, vision), paid holidays, paid vacation, 401(k) with matching contributions and tuition reimbursement. We provide our employees with a smoke-free, drug-free workplace.

About Us:

Federal Signal Corporation (NYSE: FSS) builds and delivers equipment of unmatched quality that moves material, cleans infrastructure, and protects the communities where we work and live. Founded in 1901, Federal Signal is a leading global designer and manufacturer of products and total solutions that serve municipal, governmental, industrial and commercial customers. Headquartered in Downers Grove, IL, with manufacturing facilities worldwide, the Company operates two groups: Environmental Solutions and Safety and Security Systems. For more information on Federal Signal, visit: www.federalsignal.com.

The Company is an equal opportunity employer. Qualified applicants will not be discriminated against on the basis of, and will receive consideration for employment without regard to, race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, disability, genetic information, status as a protected veteran, or any other protected category, characteristic, or trait under applicable law. If you require reasonable accommodation in the application process, email Human Resource at HR@federalsignal.com. All other applications must be submitted online.

Vactor Mfg. is a leading manufacturer of municipal combination catch basin/sewer cleaning vacuum trucks and industrial vacuum loaders that clean up industrial waste or recover and recycle valuable raw materials. Vactor is located in Streator, IL and is a subsidiary of Federal Signal Corporation.