Associate Project Manager

WP Engine, Inc.; New Jersey; On-site; USD 75,000 - 115,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) with company match

Competitive bonus opportunity

Medical, dental, vision coverage

Paid time off & sick leave

Tuition reimbursement & credential aid

Technical training opportunities

Exposure to high‑impact automation

Job summary

Thermo Systems seeks an Associate Project Manager to support automation and control system projects from execution to closeout. You will coordinate across engineering, procurement, fabrication, software, and field teams while maintaining schedules, budgets, and deliverables.

Ideal candidates have a Bachelor’s in engineering or related field and 0–3+ years in project delivery within industrial environments. Strong communication and risk management skills are essential.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree or equivalent technical experience.
• 0–3+ years in project delivery in industrial/automation environments.
• Familiarity with structured project execution and lifecycle practices.

Responsibilities

• Support projects from execution through commissioning and closeout.
• Develop and maintain project execution plans, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate activities across engineering, procurement, fabrication, software and field teams.
• Track risks, issues, and change orders with proper documentation.
• Assist with project documentation, reports, and gate deliverables.
• Maintain project records using PM tools and templates.
• Support estimation, forecasting, and performance tracking.
• Communicate clearly with internal teams, customers and trade partners.
• Align scope, schedule, and deliverables across cross-functional teams.

Skills

Scheduling

Risk management

Change control

Automation environments

Team coordination

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Communication

Prioritization

Problem-solving

Quality & safety

CAPM/PMP awareness

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering/Project Management/Business

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Job description

Join a team of world-class automation experts working for a rapidly-growing global company.

What sets us apart is our unique culture. We thrive on teamwork, consistently surpass customer expectations, and celebrate both personal and professional success.

If you believe Thermo Systems is the right fit for you, explore our open positions below.

Compensation: $75,000 – $115,000 Annually + Bonus Eligibility

Travel: Up to 25%

Who We Are

Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering premier class automation solutions across the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets.

Guided by The Thermo Way, we are unified, dynamic, and committed to delivering excellence. Our culture is grounded in three core principles:

• Employee Success – investing in our people and their growth
• Customer Success – delivering reliable, high-quality solutions
• Financial Strength – operating with discipline and long-term focus

We believe strong teams, trusted partnerships, and technical excellence drive sustainable success.

The Opportunity

The Associate Project Manager supports the successful delivery of automation and control system projects from execution through commissioning and closeout. Working under the direction of a Project Manager or Senior Project Manager, this role assists with coordinating project execution, maintaining project controls, and ensuring teams meet schedule, quality, and budget expectations.

The Associate Project Manager collaborates closely with engineering, procurement, fabrication, software, and field teams while supporting communication with customers and trade partners. This role is ideal for early-career professionals looking to develop strong project leadership capabilities within complex industrial and automation environments.

What You’ll Do

Core Responsibilities:

• Support assigned projects from execution start through commissioning and project closeout.
• Assist with development and maintenance of project execution plans, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate project activities across engineering, procurement, fabrication, software, and field service teams.
• Track risks, issues, and change orders while ensuring appropriate documentation and resolution.
• Support project installation, commissioning, and customer acceptance activities including readiness checklists and punch-list tracking.
• Assist with preparation of project documentation, reports, and project gate deliverables.
• Maintain accurate project records and reporting using company project management tools and templates.
• Support estimation, forecasting, and project performance tracking.
• Communicate clearly and proactively with internal teams, customers, and trade partners.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align project scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Build strong working relationships with customers, contractors, and internal project teams.
• Identify and elevate project risks, scope changes, and potential schedule impacts early.
• Seek guidance from senior project leadership while developing independent project management capabilities.

Quality, Safety & Process:

• Adhere to company policies, QMS requirements, and established safety standards.
• Champion safe work practices in both office and field environments.
• Ensure project work is executed in accordance with project scope, specifications, and contractual requirements.
• Deliver accurate, high-quality work with strong attention to detail.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in project execution and operational processes.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience:

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent technical experience.
• Typically, 0 to 3+ years of experience supporting project delivery in industrial, automation, or systems integration environments.
• Exposure to structured project execution methods and project lifecycle management practices.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Working knowledge of project management fundamentals including scheduling, risk management, and change control.
• Familiarity with automation, electrical, mechanical, or control system environments preferred.
• Experience coordinating technical teams, contractors, or project stakeholders.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines in fast-paced project environments.
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and accountability.
• CAPM certification preferred or progress toward PMP certification.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive compensation with annual bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with low-cost options
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Tuition reimbursement and professional credential support
• In-house and external technical training opportunities
• Exposure to complex, high-impact automation projects
• A collaborative culture built on integrity, accountability, and teamwork

Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status.

Disclaimer
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.

Thermo Systems, LLC provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation and training.

National Internship Program

Thermo Systems Interns are part of our most valuable asset: our employees. During your internship you will gain real-life experiences in a fast-paced, hands-on engineering environment.

Learn what the automation industry is all about

Be part of an exciting and growing team

Deliver solutions and services to clients such as NASA, Merck, Sam Adams, and universities coast to coast

Experience various aspects of work Thermo provides in engineering, development, and testing

Enhance your professional and technical skillsets

Thermo’s Veteran Commitment

Advancing Women in the Automation Industry

Thermo Systems is proud to be featured in the press for our innovative contributions to the automation and control systems industry, showcasing our commitment to excellence and sustainability in every project we undertake. View PR articles.

Expert perspectives, industry trends, and innovative solutions from our Industry experts are here to keep you informed and inspired in the world of automation and control systems. View our blog.

Discover how Thermo Systems’ innovative solutions and expertise drive operational excellence and sustainability through our collection of insightful and impactful videos. See our videos.

We specialize in delivering innovative and reliable automation and control solutions, empowering industries to achieve peak efficiency, sustainability, and operational excellence. View our brochure.

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Check out our latest innovations and industry-leading solutions at our upcoming tradeshows and events, where we showcase our expertise in control systems integration and automation engineering. Where we’ll be.

Seeing is believing, see how we deliver innovative and reliable automation solutions across a diverse range of industries by exploring our detailed case studies below. How we do it.

At Thermo Systems, our partnerships with industry leaders and organizations are the cornerstone of our commitment to delivering innovative, reliable, and sustainable solutions.
Some pretty good company.