Project Manager – Automation
Lewis Center, OH 43035
$120K–$150K (DOE)
20–40% Travel
About the Role
Lead mission-critical automation projects in one of the most technically demanding industries.
This role is ideal for a Project Manager who thrives in complex, highly regulated environments and can drive projects from concept through commissioning with precision, accountability, and a strong safety mindset.
You’ll act as the key link between engineering teams, customers, and stakeholders to ensure successful project delivery.
What You’ll Do
• Lead full lifecycle automation projects (concept → commissioning)
• Build and manage project plans, schedules, budgets, and resources
• Serve as the primary customer-facing contact
• Ensure compliance with strict quality, safety, and regulatory standards
• Coordinate cross-functional teams (controls, mechanical, robotics, validation)
• Manage risk, scope changes, and issue resolution proactively
• Oversee vendors, procurement, and subcontractors
• Drive key milestones: design reviews, FAT, SAT, commissioning
• Deliver clear status updates and executive-level reporting
What You Bring
• 5+ years of project management experience in engineering/automation
• Background in nuclear, energy, or highly regulated industries
• Strong knowledge of project management methodologies (Waterfall, Agile, or hybrid)
• Experience managing complex, multi-disciplinary projects
• Proven ability with budgets, schedules, and resource planning
• Strong leadership and stakeholder communication skills
• Ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment
Nice to Have
• Familiarity with nuclear quality standards (NQA-1)
• PMP certification (or equivalent)
• Experience in custom automation, robotics, or controls integration
• Background managing capital equipment or turnkey systems
• Exposure to safety-critical systems and validation
Why This Role
• Lead high-impact, technically complex projects
• Work in a high-visibility role with leadership and customers
• Join a collaborative, engineering-driven team
• Strong growth potential within large-scale automation programs
S
Sterling Engineering, Inc.
Sterling Engineering has been a trusted partner for engineering, project management, and staffing solutions for over five decades. We provide exceptional engineering/technical recruitment and engineering project services to clients nationwide:
- Engineering & Technical Recruitment - With our focus on engineering, technical, and IT, Sterling has the in-depth knowledge, industry expertise, and robust employee pipeline it takes to rapidly find talent for even the most difficult to fill positions. Sterling’s extensive recruitment methodology allows us to engage the most talented employees in the marketplace. We offer exciting work and career-building opportunities for our candidates, along with expert support at every step of the process.
- Engineering Project Services – Our experienced, multi-disciplined team of project managers, engineers, and designers, led by licensed Professional Engineers (PE), provide project management, engineering, design, and Commissioning, Qualification, and Validation (CQV) to manufacturing, OEM, and R&D customers. We work on complex, highly technical projects across a number of industry sectors, and our ability to scale and seamlessly integrate at multiple levels of your organization is what differentiates us.
Sterling offers a unique combination of engineering solutions and Best of Staffing level service to help our clients and talent achieve their goals.