Lead Project Engineer

The pay range is $95,000.00 - $171,000.00

Pay is based on several factors which vary based on position. These include labor markets and in some instances may include education, work experience and certifications. In addition to your pay, Target cares about and invests in you as a team member, so that you can take care of yourself and your family. Target offers eligible team members and their dependents comprehensive health benefits and programs, which may include medical, vision, dental, life insurance and more, to help you and your family take care of your whole selves. Other benefits for eligible team members include 401(k), employee discount, short term disability, long term disability, paid sick leave, paid national holidays, and paid vacation. Find competitive benefits from financial and education to well-being and beyond at https://corporate.target.com/careers/benefits.

About us:

Working at Target means helping all families discover the joy of everyday life. We bring that vision to life through our values and culture. Learn more about Target here.

Target Global Supply Chain and Logistics is evolving at an incredible pace. We are constantly reimagining how we get the right product to the right guest even better, faster and more cost effectively than before. We are becoming more intelligent, automated and algorithmic in our decision-making, so that no matter how guests shop—in stores or on Target.com—we deliver the convenience and immediate gratification they demand and deserve. We are on a mission to win decisively over any competitor, with a seamless and superior guest service experience unlike any they can offer. Our teams work with the agility our mission requires, and we constantly come together to implement new processes in record time. So we’re looking for exceptional people who are proactive, creative, independent, innovative, risk-savvy and comfortable working in varying degrees of ambiguity. Are you a critical thinker who seeks the root cause and can analyze both qualitatively and quantitatively? Are you a creative problem-solver who simplifies problems, quickly identifies solutions, commits to a plan and then positively influences others to execute it? If so, you will have success on one of our dynamic teams. 

About the Job 

The Lead Project Engineer will drive the successful activation of complex supply chain projects. This role ensures material handling systems are delivered on time, meet performance standards, and are ready for operational handoff. The position reports to the Director of Activation and collaborates closely with Engineering, Operations, and Vendor teams. 

As a Lead Project Engineer on the Activation team, you will lead the execution of world-class material handling and automated system installations. From early design concept development through system acceptance and operational turnover, you will direct internal and external engineering resources, oversee testing, commissioning, and validation activities, and ensure strong cross-functional alignment across Activation, Engineering, Operations, and vendor partners. 

Key Responsibilities 

• Participate in contract negotiations with MHE suppliers to ensure Target’s installation requirements and performance KPIs are clearly defined and contractually aligned. 

• Provide technical oversight of design/build drawings and schematics, ensuring alignment with Target’s electrical safety, controls, and engineering standards. 

• Develop and execute integration plans for brownfield and retrofit installations, minimizing disruption to ongoing operations. 

• Source, on-board, and lead third-party vendors to deliver specialized mechanical, electrical, and controls validations in support of successful system commissioning and acceptance. 

• Manage project schedule, costs, and resources to meet critical milestones. 

• Provide end-to-end ownership of mechanical, electrical, controls, and performance validation and final acceptance of new MHE systems. 

• Work cross-functionally with internal and external safety specialists to validate that systems meet regulatory compliance and Target requirements. 

• Lead defect triage in collaboration with technical leads establishing an MHE punch list to prioritize and validate defect resolution through project close out. 

• Support transition of newly accepted MHE systems to long-term owners. 

• Identify, document, and prioritize MHE optimization opportunities to support day-two enhancements and inform future solution designs. 

• Collaborate across internal and external stakeholders including vendors, engineering, operations, and facilities. 

• Support benchmarking activities, factory acceptance testing (FAT), and proof-of-concept initiatives, providing detailed analysis to inform engineering and operation decisions.  

• Develop and implement internal processes, tools, and templates that improve execution efficiency, reduce project costs, and ensure delivered MHE systems enable exceptional operational performance.     

Qualifications:

• 7 or more years of combined experience in material handling, automation, manufacturing, supply chain and/or distribution and logistics industries. 
• Four-year degree in electrical, controls, or industrial engineering, or equivalent combination of education and experience. 

• Proven project management experience implementing complex capital equipment & systems. 

• Subject matter expert in automated material handling systems such as conveyors, sortation systems, and robotics. 

• Subject matter expert in electrical safety, power distribution, industrial controls, and SCADA supporting material handling systems. 

• Exceptional analytical and organizational skills with demonstrated ability to manage several complex projects at the same time. 

• Ability to work independently with considerable latitude in decision making. 

• Strong communication and stakeholder engagement skills across all organizational levels. 

• Excellent judgment and decision-making skills under uncertainty. 

• Proficiency with standard project planning software applications. 

• Ability to travel up to 40% (varies by project phase). 

Preferred Qualifications & Experiences 

• Familiarity with material flow methodologies. 

• Experience with facility layouts and construction. 

• Experience with distribution and/or logistics process flows and operations. 

• Experience with lean, six sigma, and other continuous improvement methodologies. 

• Project management professional (PMP) training. 

This position will operate as a Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement based on Target’s needs. A Hybrid/Flex for Your Day work arrangement means the team member’s core role will need to be performed both onsite at the Target HQ MN location the role is assigned to and virtually, depending upon what your role, team and tasks require for that day. Work duties cannot be performed outside of the country of the primary work location, unless otherwise prescribed by Target. Click here if you are curious to learn more about Minnesota. 

Benefits Eligibility

Please paste this url into your preferred browser to learn about benefits eligibility for this role: https://tgt.biz/BenefitsForYou_E

Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA)

In compliance with state and federal laws, Target will make reasonable accommodations for applicants with disabilities. If a reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application or interview process, please reach out to [email protected].Non-accommodation-related requests, such as application follow-ups or technical issues, will not be addressed through this channel.