Job Description
Job Overview:
We have a great opportunity for a dedicated Project Manager to join our Product Development team in Marshalltown, Iowa! This role is ideal for experienced engineers who have led major deliverables within product development programs and are ready to take on full project ownership or an experienced project manager looking for a new challenge.
As an NPD Project Manager, you’ll be the central leader driving new products from concept through launch. You’ll own the outcome – making sure your product is launched on time, works right, and meets the business need. Your deep technical background will be your superpower, enabling you to lead engineering teams with credibility, make informed trade-off decisions, and serve as the bridge between deep technical work and business strategy.
The role will provide you with an opportunity to work cross-functionally alongside a wide variety of teams within the Instrument Business Unit – including Firmware, Electrical, Mechanical, Marketing, Manufacturing
- Project Planning & Execution
- Lead projects through all NPD phases: Initiation, Planning, Execution, Monitoring & Control, and Closure
- Develop and maintain project plans, schedules, milestones, risk registers, decision logs, and communication plans
- Prepare and present project at each gate meeting
- Cross-Functional Leadership
- Form and lead cross-functional project teams spanning Engineering, Marketing, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Quality, and Operations
- Leverage your engineering background to challenge assumptions, ask the right questions, and keep teams honest on feasibility
- Drive accountability across teams
- Execution Management
- Identify issues early and drive resolution – you won’t just flag problems, you’ll help solve them
- Track progress against schedule, cost, and scope targets
- Escalate risks and decisions impacting scope, cost, or timeline to the Steering Group
- Stakeholder Management & Communication
- Build strong partnerships with Product Managers, Engineering leadership, Gatekeepers, and business stakeholders
- Communicate clearly at all levels – from executive summaries for senior leadership to detailed updates for project teams
- Drive alignment on decisions, trade-offs, and scope changes across the organization
- Serve as the bridge between deep technical work and business strategy
You’ve been the go-to person on your project team – the one others rely on to solve the hardest problems and keep things moving. You’re ready to expand your impact beyond a single workstream and own the full project outcome. You don’t need to have “Project Manager” on your resume – you’ve been doing the work already.
You are a tech-savvy lifelong learner who is excited by new technology and passionate about delivering innovative products to market. You thrive in a fast-paced, cross-disciplinary environment and are comfortable navigating ambiguity. You persist in the face of challenges and setbacks, always driving toward solutions. You establish common objectives and a shared approach across diverse teams. You are process-driven and detail-oriented, yet adaptable enough to tailor your approach to the unique needs of each project.
What You’ll Gain
This isn’t just a lateral move – it’s a career accelerator. Here’s what this role offers that your current engineering role may not:
- A leadership role that doesn’t require leaving the technical world behind – your engineering judgment is central to this role
- Visibility to leadership – you’ll present at gate reviews and shape strategic direction
- Broader business acumen – exposure to operations, P&L, market strategy, pricing, and customer requirements beyond the engineering silo
- Mentorship and a clear development path toward program management, engineering management, or senior technical leadership
- The opportunity to shape how products are built, not just what gets built – you’ll influence process, priorities, and team structure
- Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering or relevant work experience
- 5+ years of engineering experience, including leading significant tasks or workstreams within product development projects
- Strong organizational, planning, and project management skills
- Strong clear and concise communication skills
- Superior problem solving, analytical, and critical thinking skills
- Self-motivated and proactive with ability to navigate ambiguity
- Willingness to attain a PMP or similar project management certification – we’ll support you in getting it
- 5+ yeas of project management experience on technical projects
- Hands-on experience with embedded systems, electronics, or firmware development
- Familiarity with Agile or hybrid development approaches
- Background in industrial products or regulated environments
- PMP® or similar project management certification
At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives—because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and growing an inclusive culture ensures you have the support to thrive. Whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities, we invest in your success so you can make a lasting impact. We believe diverse teams working together are key to driving growth and delivering business results.
