Principal R&D Project Manager

Emerson Automation; Bayan Lepas; On-site; MYR 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Job summary

A leader in automation technology based in Penang, Malaysia, is seeking an experienced Principal Project Manager to lead new product development initiatives. This role involves managing project scope, schedule, and budget, while driving cross-functional collaboration across global teams. The ideal candidate will have substantial experience managing technical projects, strong analytical skills, and the ability to adapt to changing priorities. The company values a culture of inclusion and offers competitive benefits including flexible time-off plans.

Benefits

Flexible time-off plans

Employee Assistance Program

Various medical insurance options

Qualifications

• Minimum of 8 years of experience managing technical projects.
• Strong ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changes.
• Experience in hybrid project management methodologies.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional teams to deliver projects on time and within budget.
• Define and manage project scope, timelines, and costs.
• Identify and mitigate project risks proactively.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Analytical Skills

Organizational Skills

Proactive Problem Solving

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field

Tools

MS Project

Azure DevOps

Job description

The NI R&D organization in Penang, Malaysia is seeking a highly motivated and experienced Principal Project Manager to lead new product development initiatives. As part of a global team, you will be responsible for driving cross‑functional project execution, managing scope, schedule, and budget, and ensuring successful delivery of innovative products. You will play a key role in aligning technical decisions with business goals, mentoring team members, and fostering collaboration across international sites.

In This Role, Your Responsibilities Will Be:

• Lead cross‑functional teams across global sites to deliver new product development projects on time and within budget.
• Define and manage project scope, timelines, resources, and costs, ensuring alignment with business objectives.
• Facilitate technical trade‑offs and decision‑making processes to meet project goals.
• Identify and mitigate risks throughout the project lifecycle, ensuring proactive issue resolution.
• Provide clear and consistent communication to stakeholders regarding project status, risks, and changes.
• Collaborate with Discipline Managers to identify talent gaps and recommend team adjustments.
• Guide and coach engineers to foster professional growth and ensure project success.
• Conduct and lead project meetings to maintain alignment and momentum across teams.
• Remove obstacles and drive continuous progress throughout the development cycle.
• Apply hybrid project management methodologies (Waterfall + Agile) for hardware projects and Agile/Scrum for software projects.

Who You Are:

You are a strategic thinker and effective communicator who thrives in dynamic environments. You take initiative, solve problems proactively, and lead with confidence and empathy. You are passionate about delivering high‑quality products and empowering teams to succeed.

For This Role, You Will Need:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field.
• Minimum of 8 years of relevant experience, or 5 years with a Master's degree.
• Proven success in managing technical projects, meeting deadlines, and controlling budgets.
• Strong communication, analytical, and organizational skills.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities and adapt to changing conditions.
• Experience working in a matrix organization and collaborating across functions.

Preferred Qualifications That Set You Apart:

• At least 2 years of hands‑on product development experience (hardware, firmware, or driver software).
• Familiarity with project management tools such as MS Project and Azure DevOps.
• PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials.
• Understanding of measurement and automated testing industries is a plus.

Our Culture & Commitment to You:

At Emerson, we prioritize a workplace where every employee is valued, respected, and empowered to grow. We foster an environment that encourages innovation, collaboration, and diverse perspectives – because we know that great ideas come from great teams. Our commitment to ongoing career development and a culture of inclusion ensures you have the support to thrive, whether through mentorship, training, or leadership opportunities.

We recognize the importance of employee well‑being. We provide competitive benefits plans, a variety of medical insurance options, an Employee Assistance Program, employee resource groups, recognition, and flexible time‑off plans, including paid parental leave (maternal and paternal), vacation, and holiday leave.

About Emerson

Emerson is a global leader in automation technology and software. Through our deep domain expertise and legacy of flawless execution, Emerson helps customers in critical industries such as life sciences, energy, power and renewables, and chemical and advanced factory automation to operate more sustainably while improving productivity, energy security, and reliability. We offer equitable opportunities, celebrate diversity, and embrace challenges with confidence that, together, we can make an impact across a broad spectrum of countries and industries.