Automation Project Manager

Job Title: Automation Project Manager

Job Description

The Automation Project Manager leads automation and electrical projects from initial customer engagement through successful completion. This role manages customer relationships, oversees project budgets and schedules, coordinates cross-functional teams, and ensures projects are delivered safely, efficiently, and profitably. The position requires a strong experience in industrial automation, electrical systems, and project management, along with the ability to communicate clearly and effectively with customers, field personnel, engineers, and internal stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Manage automation and electrical projects from initial proposal through final completion, invoicing, and billing.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for customers throughout the entire project lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain strong, long-term relationships with existing and prospective customers.
• Identify and pursue opportunities for additional automation, controls, and electrical projects with current and new clients.
• Prepare accurate project estimates, proposals, budgets, and detailed schedules.
• Coordinate project activities with engineering, field operations, service technicians, purchasing, and accounting teams to ensure smooth execution.
• Monitor project scope, budgets, labor utilization, material costs, subcontractor performance, and overall project profitability.
• Ensure all projects are completed on time, within budget, and in line with customer expectations and specifications.
• Lead project meetings and provide regular status updates to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Maintain accurate and organized project documentation, including reports, quotes, proposals, and customer records.
• Promote and ensure compliance with all safety standards, company policies, and relevant industry regulations.
• Support business development efforts by contributing technical insight to proposals, quotes, and customer presentations.
• Drive continuous improvement in project execution processes to enhance efficiency, reliability, and productivity for customers through advanced automation technologies.

Essential Skills

• Proven project management experience, ideally within industrial automation or related electrical projects.
• Strong understanding of automation systems and programmable logic controllers (PLCs).
• Demonstrated ability to manage project budgets, schedules, and scope while maintaining profitability.
• Excellent customer service skills with the ability to build trust and maintain long-term client relationships.
• Experience with quoting, estimation, and proposal development for technical projects.
• Ability to engage in business development activities and identify new project opportunities.
• Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, for effective interaction with customers, engineers, field personnel, and internal teams.
• Solid organizational and documentation skills to maintain accurate project records and reports.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and coordinate multiple stakeholders in a dynamic environment.
• Commitment to safety and adherence to company policies and industry regulations.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in industrial automation, electrical systems, or controls engineering.
• Experience in technical sales or account management within manufacturing or industrial markets.
• Familiarity with project invoicing processes and financial tracking.
• Ability to interpret technical requirements and translate them into clear project scopes and deliverables.
• Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to address project challenges proactively.
• Comfort working in both office and field settings, including manufacturing plants and construction sites.

Work Environment

This role operates in a combination of office, industrial, and field environments, including customer facilities and active construction sites. Regular travel to customer and project locations is required to support project execution and maintain customer relationships. The Automation Project Manager works closely with engineering, field operations, service technicians, purchasing, and accounting teams, and spends time in manufacturing and industrial settings overseeing installations, commissioning, and field activities. The environment is fast-paced and project-driven, with a strong focus on safety, collaboration, and delivering innovative automation and electrical solutions that improve efficiency, reliability, and productivity for customers.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wayland, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $36.06 - $40.87/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Wayland,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.