Project Engineering Manager – Controls & Automation (Detroit, Michigan)

Key Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering projects from initial concept through installation, commissioning, and closeout.
• Manage the technical design and execution of conveyor and material-handling control systems.
• Develop project schedules, engineering plans, resource requirements, and technical deliverables.
• Cook up controls engineers, programmers, designers, vendors, subcontractors, and field teams.
• Review and approve PLC programs, HMI applications, control-panel designs, network architecture, and electrical drawings.
• Ensure engineering work meets project specifications, customer requirements, applicable codes, and internal quality standards.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, milestones, risks, and scope changes.
• Serve as a primary technical and project-management contact for customers.
• Support equipment integration, system testing, startup, troubleshooting, and onsite commissioning.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and direction to controls engineering team members.
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, installation, and operations teams to deliver fully integrated systems.
• Identify potential project risks and develop corrective-action plans when necessary.

Required Qualifications

• At least eight years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or a closely related engineering field.
• Direct experience with conveyor and material-handling systems.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation and Allen-Bradley control platforms.
• Knowledge of HMI development, industrial networks, and control-system architecture.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and electrical control drawings.
• Experience managing controls projects, engineering teams, schedules, budgets, and customer expectations.
• Able to lead multiple technical workstreams through design, installation, startup, and commissioning.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% outside the local area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Controls Project Manager, Controls Engineering Manager, Project Engineering Manager, or Lead Controls Engineer.
• Experience delivering large-scale automated conveyor or distribution systems.
• Background supporting manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, logistics, parcel, or other highly automated facilities.
• Experience working directly with customers, general contractors, equipment suppliers, and installation teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, automation engineering, or a related discipline.