POSITION SUMMARY:

The role of Manager, Project Engineering at K2 Services will play a pivotal role in managing time and material engineering projects, ensuring adherence to our MSP reference architecture standards, and overseeing architecture standards. This position also carries significant financial governance responsibilities related to project engineering, resource utilization, and project prioritization.

Compensation: 130,000-145,000 USD annual base salary

Location: Chicago, Hybrid

ROLES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

Project Engineering Leadership:

• Define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders.
• Allocate resources effectively to ensure project teams are appropriately staffed for success.
• Monitor project progress using key performance indicators (KPIs) and adjust plans as needed.
• Encourage a culture of innovation and creativity within the project engineering teams.
• Foster a collaborative and inclusive work environment that promotes knowledge sharing.

Architecture Standards:

• Conduct regular reviews of MSP reference architecture standards to ensure they remain up to date.
• Collaborate with solution architects to create detailed technical design documentation.
• Provide guidance on technology stack selection based on architectural best practices.
• Conduct architecture reviews to ensure projects adhere to established standards.
• Stay informed about emerging technologies and assess their potential impact on architecture.

Technical Leadership:

• Provide guidance on troubleshooting and resolving complex technical challenges.
• Champion the use of modern software development practices and methodologies.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to define standards and best practices.
• Lead discussions on system design, scalability, performance optimization, and security.
• Mentor and develop team members by identifying learning opportunities and growth paths.

Financial Governance:

• Develop and manage project budgets, tracking expenses and forecasting costs.
• Implement cost-saving initiatives without compromising project quality.
• Provide transparent financial reporting to stakeholders on project financial performance.
• Evaluate project financial risks and create mitigation strategies.
• Optimize resource allocation to maximize ROI on project investments.

Pre-Sales Support:

• Assist in scoping technical solutions based on client requirements and business needs.
• Collaborate with sales teams to create compelling and accurate technical proposals.
• Offer insights on the technical feasibility of proposed solutions and potential challenges.
• Provide expertise during client presentations and discussions to build trust and confidence.
• Contribute to RFP/RFI responses by providing technical input and solution recommendations.

Communication and Collaboration:

• Communicate project updates, risks, and milestones to both internal and external stakeholders.
• Collaborate with other departments to ensure projects align with overall business objectives.
• Facilitate effective communication between technical and non-technical team members.
• Act as a bridge between technical teams and executive leadership, translating technical concepts.
• Organize and lead regular meetings to ensure effective project coordination and knowledge sharing.

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS & ATTRIBUTES:

• In-depth knowledge of IT architecture best practices, including microservices, cloud computing, virtualization, and security.
• Excellent project management skills with a track record of successfully delivering projects on time and within budget.
• Financial acumen with the ability to manage project budgets, forecast costs, and optimize financial outcomes.
• Exceptional leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and mentor technical teams.
• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, with the ability to interact with clients, executives, and technical teams.
• Professional certifications such as PMP, ITIL, AWS/Azure certifications, etc., are a plus.
• Proficiency in relevant project management and collaboration tools.
• Models the company values of Respect, Accountability, Collaboration, Innovation and Service Orientation

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 7+ years proven experience in in project engineering or technical leadership roles within the IT industry, preferably in an MSP environment.
• Education / certifications: Bachelor's degree in computer science, Information Technology, or a related field. Or equivalent experience.
• Track record of driving architecting and delivering complex IT solutions across diverse technology stacks.