Project Engineer I (Alajuela, Costa Rica)

Life Unlimited. At Smith+Nephew we design and manufacture technology that takes the limits off living. 

As a Project Engineer you will play a key role in supporting a variety of programs, with a primary focus on initiatives involving new raw materials, supplier management, dual sourcing, advanced engineering, automation, process improvements, and business-driven task forces.

Your expertise in manufacturing processes, master data management, prioritization, and qualifications/validations will contribute to the efficient execution of programs while ensuring full compliance with the company’s Quality Management System (QMS) and international medical device standards.

In this supporting role, you will collaborate closely with cross-functional teams—including R&D, DQE, QA, Manufacturing, Supply Chain, Tooling & Automation, and Regulatory Affairs—taking ownership of assigned deliverables and driving them through all stages of the program life cycle.

This position is a P1 level (internal use only)

What will you be doing?

• Understand the needs of our internal & external customers.

• Drive projects through all stages of the program life cycle.

• Help and/or develop project documentation including procedures, documents related to validations (IQ, OQ, PQ, PPQ, etc.), datasheets, test records, etc. on time and per defined timeline.

• Ensure the document control system is maintained and internal approval workflow is followed.

• Ensure that the quality management system is followed.

• Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to analyze needs and align strategies, timelines, and program execution.

• Collaborate with horizontal workstreams to address interdependencies and facilitate regular program and project calls when required.

• Participate in meetings to define programs strategy and lessons learned and communicate with stakeholders throughout the project.

• Work closely with other project managers and business teams to create and maintain project pipelines according to business needs and KPIs.

• Help to mitigate roadblocks to achieve sprint/release goals.

• Serve as a subject matter expert internally and externally, sharing knowledge and answering questions.

• Proactively helps to identify and mitigate program risks, managing issues that may arise during program execution, share, seek and act upon feedback.

• Take personal accountability for agreeing priorities and delivering KPIs.

• Monitor program progress and ensure that program deliverables are of the highest quality, meeting, or exceeding client expectations. Proactively find ways to do things differently and share ideas for improvement.

• Effectively communicate program status, updates, and potential roadblocks to both internal/ external stakeholders and Management.

• Leverage your knowledge to provide valuable insights and recommendations during program planning and execution.

• Manage multiple tasks simultaneously in an aggressive and fast-paced work environment.

• Take accountability for tasks assigned by the Project Management team, communicating with key stakeholders to overcome obstacles and prevent delays.

• Own performance and keep things on track. Help and support others to succeed.

• Have difficult conversations to address issues and find common ground.

• Build and maintain strong relationships with internal management, clients and third parties to achieve project goals.

• Specify and select components to be used in the projects.

• Collaborate with key program collaborators to ensure successful program implementation across workstreams and businesses.

• Identify and address customer concerns, partner concerns, actions, and decisions; take ownership of the process for addressing issues and implement strategies to minimize risks on time.

• Ensure clear communication of project outcomes through regular reporting cadences and effectively communicate project status and results.

• Build a strong team of skilled and motivated individuals.

• Solving problems by addressing the root cause.

• Support ted project teams to achieve desired outcomes.

• Anticipate and respond positively to change. Identify and share lessons learned.

• Comply with the implementation of the Occupational Health standards and programs established by the company, through compliance with those recommendations to carry out work safely, use of personal protective equipment, as well as communicate the company about improvements to avoid incidents or occupational diseases, which could harm the integrity of the workers and/ or the facilities and assets of the company. (continuous)

• Comply with all the requirements, tasks, and obligations from our Quality Management System. This includes the adequate management of the program of both corrective and preventive actions, strict adherence and compliance with all quality standards, policies, and procedures. (continuous)

• Responsible for safeguarding all documents, confidential information, equipment, tools, raw materials, products, or other assets directly related to your work area, to avoid incidents that affect the productivity and distribution of our products that could cause an economic impact on the company or a breach of our customers, suppliers, shareholders and/or other key audiences (continuous).

• If required, train personnel in process changes or qualification processes.

What will you need to be successful?

Education:

You. Unlimited

We believe in creating the greatest good for society. Our strongest investments are in our people and the patients we serve. 

Inclusion + Belonging - Committed to Welcoming, Celebrating and Thriving. Learn more about our Employee Inclusion Groups on our website https://www.smith-nephew.com/ 

• Your future:  stock purchase program, referral bonus, subsidy in transport and food, recognition program.

• Work/Life Balance: Extra days off, birthday off, voluntary hours.

• Your Wellbeing: company doctor, medical insurance, gym, health campaigns, employee assistance program, parental leave. 

• Flexibility: Hybrid work model (for more professional roles), flexible schedules.

• Training: Training program, unlimited learning.

• Extra perks: employees association, and more…

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