Automation & Controls Project Manager

Responsibilities

• Lead and own all phases of automation and controls projects, including FEED, detailed engineering, panel integration, factory acceptance testing (FAT), site commissioning, and start-up.
• Serve as the technical authority for control, safety, and information system solutions across industrial process applications.
• Ensure automation architectures, control philosophies, and system designs align with project scope, client standards, and industry best practices.
• Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve complex technical challenges during project execution and commissioning.
• Manage projects with a strong focus on contract value growth, margin protection, and revenue realization.
• Manage projects with a strong focus on contract value growth, margin protection, and revenue realization.
• Maintain responsibility for project budgets, cost forecasting, earned value tracking, and financial reporting.
• Balance technical decisions with commercial outcomes to deliver profitable and sustainable projects.
• Develop and maintain detailed project schedules that cover engineering, panel fabrication, procurement, and field execution activities.
• Clearly communicate scope, schedule, and budget expectations to project team members and ensure accountability for meeting milestones.
• Prepare and present project status reports, forecasts, and progress updates to clients and internal leadership.
• Proactively identify execution risks and implement effective mitigation strategies.
• Lead and manage automation engineers, designers, panel shop resources, commissioning and start-up personnel, and MCC fabrication partners.
• Plan and optimize resource allocation to ensure high utilization and billability of project teams.
• Provide direction, mentorship, and technical guidance to junior engineers and project management staff.
• Foster a collaborative, accountable, and high-performance project team culture.
• Serve as the primary client interface for assigned projects, building trust through strong technical leadership and proactive communication.
• Maintain and grow long-term client relationships by consistently delivering high-quality automation solutions.
• Support proposal and business development efforts by reviewing RFQs, technical specifications, and commercial terms.
• Provide input on execution strategies, staffing plans, schedules, and technical approaches for new opportunities.
• Aid in defining project execution plans that align with internal capabilities and client requirements.
• Take a proactive role in corporate Quality, Health, Safety, and Environmental (QHSE) programs.
• Ensure project execution complies with company standards, client safety requirements, and applicable regulatory expectations.
• Promote a culture of safety excellence throughout engineering, fabrication, and field activities.
• Collaborate with project teams across offices to share expertise, standardize execution practices, and support multi-office projects.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of project delivery processes and technical standards.
• Manage automation teams onsite and guide projects from initiation through completion.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
• PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
• 10+ years of proven project management experience managing control system and automation projects in one or more of the following industries: Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power Generation, and Data Centers.
• Strong experience with MS Business Central ERP.
• Demonstrated project management expertise in industrial automation and control systems, including FEED, detailed design, panel integration, FAT, commissioning, and start-up.
• Hands-on experience with control systems engineering and control system platforms.
• Proficiency in project budgeting, cost forecasting, earned value tracking, and financial reporting.
• Strong skills in project scheduling and coordination of engineering, panel fabrication, procurement, and field execution.
• Proven ability to manage scope, develop change orders, and protect project margins.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of automation engineers, designers, panel shop resources, and commissioning personnel.
• Effective communication skills, including the ability to present status reports and lead client and internal meetings.
• Track record of generating new business or increasing project revenues through effective project management and customer relationships.
• Strong familiarity with OEM control system platforms, including Rockwell Automation products such as PlantPAx, FactoryTalk SE, and Logix PLC hardware.
• Strong familiarity with Wonderware HMI software products, including System Platform and InTouch.
• Strong familiarity with Ignition HMI software products.
• Strong familiarity with Emerson DeltaV platforms.
• Strong familiarity with Invensys platforms.
• Experience working with a diverse customer base, including end users, EPC firms, and OEM packagers.
• Delivering automation projects in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Refining, LNG, Data Center, and Power Generation industries.
• Ability to define and support project execution plans that align with both internal capabilities and client requirements.
• Experience contributing to proposal development, including review of RFQs, technical specifications, and commercial terms.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior engineers and project management staff.
• Demonstrated ability to foster a collaborative and high-performance team culture.
• Strong problem-solving skills for resolving complex technical and execution challenges.
• Comfort working in a fast-growing project environment with expanding teams.
• Interest in supporting emerging energy sector markets in the U.S. and globally.