Project Manager- Process

About the Role

CEC Controls is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead the successful execution of industrial automation and control system integration projects for municipal water and wastewater clients throughout Florida and the Southeast. This position provides leadership for multidisciplinary project teams and serves as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the project lifecycle.

This is an hourly position based in the Tampa, Florida office. Hybrid scheduling may be available following successful onboarding. Employees are compensated for all hours worked. Travel is required up to 25% yearly, primarily within Florida and surrounding states. Authorization to work lawfully in the US without sponsorship is required.

Responsibilities

• Project Leadership: Assume full responsibility for execution of multiple automation projects from award through final acceptance. Develop comprehensive project execution plans, lead internal kickoff meetings, monitor performance against schedule and budget, and drive projects to successful completion while maintaining high customer satisfaction.
• Financial Management: Develop and maintain project budgets, forecast labor and material costs, monitor profitability, manage invoicing milestones, prepare and negotiate change orders, and support monthly financial reporting.
• Customer Management: Serve as the primary customer representative, build trusted relationships, lead project kickoff and progress meetings, present project status and updates, and resolve issues in a timely manner.
• Engineering Coordination: Coordinate activities among controls engineers, software engineers, electrical designers, and field personnel. Ensure deliverables are completed on schedule, support technical reviews, and coordinate Factory Acceptance Tests (FAT), Site Acceptance Tests (SAT), startup, commissioning, and operator training.
• Procurement and Vendor Management: Coordinate procurement activities, track long-lead equipment, review vendor submittals, manage panel fabrication, and resolve supplier issues affecting project schedules.
• Construction and Start-Up: Coordinate field installation activities, support field service personnel, manage punch list activities, and coordinate warranty activities following project completion.
• Business Development: Support proposal development and estimating, participate in customer presentations and site visits, identify opportunities for additional services, and assist with strategic customer development.
• Leadership: Promote continuous improvement, foster collaboration across teams, and champion a culture of safety, accountability, and customer satisfaction.

Requirements

• Relevant bachelor's or associate degree in engineering or technology field, or equivalent work experience with a technical degree.
• 5+ years of Project Management experience in industrial automation, systems integration, electrical engineering, or related industries.
• Experience managing projects ranging from $250,000 to $5M+ and multiple concurrent automation projects.
• Working knowledge of PLC, HMI, SCADA, industrial networking, instrumentation, motor controls, and process automation systems (municipal water/wastewater experience preferred).
• Strong commercial understanding, including project budgeting, cost forecasting, earned value, change order management, risk management, and contract administration.
• Ability to read and interpret customer specifications, P&IDs, electrical drawings, control narratives, and network architectures.
• Proficiency using Microsoft Project, Excel, Teams, and Project Management Software (PMP certification preferred but not required).
• Excellent interpersonal, organizational, writing, presentation, and communication skills.
• Working knowledge of industry standards and regulations (ISA, NEC, IEEE, NFPA, OSHA, etc).

Physical Requirements

• Able to climb a 2-story ladder.
• Can walk a mile in 20 minutes.
• Able to cover a reasonable distance on foot on a job site.
• Able to lift 30 lbs. without difficulty.

Success Factors

• Safe project execution.
• On-time delivery.
• Strong project profitability.
• Excellent customer satisfaction.
• Effective communication.
• High-quality documentation.
• Successful management of scope changes.
• Strong leadership of multidisciplinary teams.
• Positive contribution to business growth.