Automation and OT Project Manager

About the role

Audubon is seeking an Automation and OT Project Manager for the Metairie, LA office. The Project Manager will lead planning and execution of industrial automation, control systems, operational technology (OT), and cybersecurity projects for industrial clients. Responsibilities span project scope, schedule, budget, resources, and client communication from initiation through commissioning and closeout. The role coordinates with Automation and OT supervisors, technical leads, and client representatives to deliver engineering and field activities in accordance with contractual, quality, and safety requirements.

Responsibilities

• Develop project execution plans, work breakdown structures, deliverable lists, schedules, budgets, and acceptance criteria in coordination with clients and technical leads.
• Establish project baselines and monitor progress against scope, schedule, and budget; identify deviations early and implement corrective actions.
• Coordinate personnel assignments with Automation and OT supervisors, balancing project priorities, required technical skills, resource availability, and field support needs.
• Manage project financial performance, including labor and procurement costs, forecasts, estimates to complete, and margin performance; report financial risks and required actions.
• Serve as primary client contact for project execution, communicate status and decisions, and maintain action logs to resolve outstanding issues.
• Control scope changes through documented impact assessments, client approvals, and change orders; communicate approved changes and update project baselines.
• Coordinate automation work involving PLC, DCS, SCADA, HMI, and historian systems, including upgrades, migrations, and integration with existing plant infrastructure.
• Coordinate OT work involving industrial networks, servers, virtualization, secure remote access, cybersecurity assessments, and infrastructure modernization.
• Work with technical leads to schedule deliverable reviews and verify that engineering, configurations, and documentation meet project requirements and Audubon quality procedures.
• Manage project risks, dependencies, and critical path activities; escalate issues that could affect plant operations, cybersecurity, project cost, or delivery commitments.
• Coordinate vendors, subcontractors, and procurement activities, including technical scope alignment, equipment delivery, and integration responsibilities.
• Plan factory and site acceptance testing, commissioning, and cutover activities with technical leads and client operations personnel, including outage windows and recovery readiness.
• Maintain project documentation and support timely invoicing, progress reporting, and contract administration in coordination with project controls and finance personnel.
• Support proposals and business development by preparing execution strategies, labor estimates, schedules, resource plans, and identifying additional client service opportunities.
• Coordinate turnover of final documentation, as-built records, training materials, and outstanding punch list items; capture lessons learned and complete project closeout.
• Promote and comply with Audubon and client health, safety, security, and environmental (HSSE) requirements, including planning for site access and field execution.

Health, Safety, and Environmental Responsibilities

• Perform duties in a manner that protects personal and team health and safety.
• Participate in required HSE training, meetings, and reporting activities.
• Identify and report hazards, near misses, and unsafe conditions.
• Follow safe work practices and comply with applicable regulatory requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science, Information Technology, or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of six (6) years of experience in industrial automation, control systems, OT, or cybersecurity project delivery, including demonstrated responsibility for managing technical projects.
• Experience managing project scope, schedules, budgets, forecasts, resource plans, and change orders across multiple concurrent assignments.
• Working knowledge of PLC, DCS, SCADA, HMI, and historian systems and the engineering, integration, testing, and commissioning activities associated with these platforms.
• Understanding of industrial networks, Windows-based infrastructure, virtualization, secure remote access, backup and recovery, and OT cybersecurity project requirements.
• Ability to coordinate multidisciplinary teams, vendors, and client operations personnel while maintaining clear responsibilities and project commitments.
• Experience preparing proposals, labor estimates, project execution plans, technical reports, and client presentations.
• Proficiency with project scheduling and cost tracking tools, including Microsoft Project or equivalent software, and Microsoft Excel.
• Strong client communication, negotiation, organizational, and problem-solving skills, with the ability to resolve execution issues and escalate risks promptly.
• Experience in LNG, refining, petrochemical, chemical, pipeline, or offshore facilities preferred.
• Familiarity with NIST Cybersecurity Framework and ISA/IEC 62443 concepts preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification or equivalent project management training preferred.
• Ability to travel to client facilities and support project meetings, field implementation, testing, and commissioning as project requirements dictate.