Automation & Controls Project Manager

Job Title: Automation & Controls Project Manager

Job Description

The Automation & Controls Project Manager leads complex industrial automation and control systems projects from Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED) through detailed design, panel integration, commissioning, and start-up. This role combines deep technical expertise in control and safety systems with strong commercial and execution leadership to ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably, and in full alignment with client expectations. The position serves as the primary technical and commercial authority on assigned projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams and maintaining strong, long-term client relationships across a variety of industrial sectors.

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.
• Actively manage client scope, identify changes and impacts early, and develop change orders to prevent margin erosion.
• 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.
• Represent the organization in a professional, solutions-oriented manner during project meetings, design reviews, and site activities.
• 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.
• Assist 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.

Essential Skills

• 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 with MCC (Motor Control Centers) and PDC (Power Distribution Centers) in an automation context.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 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.
• 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.

Work Environment

This role is primarily onsite and involves managing automation teams as they take projects from start to finish. You will work closely with engineering, panel fabrication, and field execution teams in an industrial project environment. The position supports projects across industries such as Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Refining, LNG, Data Centers, and Power Generation, with exposure to a variety of control system platforms including Rockwell Automation, Wonderware, Ignition, Emerson DeltaV, and Invensys. The environment emphasizes strong collaboration, safety, and quality, with a focus on delivering innovative automation solutions to support both traditional and emerging energy sector markets in the U.S. and around the globe.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Plano, TX.

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $90.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Plano,TX.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 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.

Salary : $70 - $90