Automation Project Lead — CAPEX Delivery

Pitco Engineering; Dayton (TN); Hybrid; USD 100,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

PITCO Engineering in Tennessee is seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead and deliver complex automation projects, including planning, execution, and commissioning, with a focus on on-time, on-budget delivery.

You will manage cross-functional teams, develop budgets, schedules, and resource plans, ensure safety and regulatory compliance, and serve as the primary customer interface for clear communication.

Qualifications

• 5+ years managing CAPEX projects in automotive, logistics, pharmaceuticals, or oil & gas.
• Strong knowledge of automation, robotics, or industrial controls systems.
• Proven ability to manage budgets exceeding $1M.
• Must pass drug screening and background check.
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship available).

Responsibilities

• Manage end-to-end delivery of automation projects from planning to commissioning.
• Lead cross-functional teams including engineers, contractors, and vendors.
• Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and resource plans.
• Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Act as the key customer interface with strong communication.
• Monitor and mitigate project risks, escalating as needed.
• Oversee project documentation, reporting, and performance tracking.

Skills

CAPEX project mgmt

Automation/industrial controls

Budgeting & scheduling

Leadership & communication

Risk management

MS Office/Project/SharePoint

Tools

MS Project

SharePoint

MS Office

Job description

The Role

We're seeking an experienced Project Manager to lead and deliver complex automation projects. The ideal candidate brings a proven track record of successfully managing capital expenditure (CAPEX) projects in industries such as automotive, logistics, pharmaceuticals, or oil & gas.

This role requires a mix of strategic oversight and hands-on execution. You'll be the primary point of contact for customers, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and at the highest level of quality.

What you'll do:
Manage end-to-end delivery of automation projects, from planning to commissioning
Lead cross-functional teams including engineers, contractors, and vendors
Develop and manage project budgets, schedules, and resource plans
Ensure compliance with safety, regulatory, and customer requirements
Act as the key customer interface, maintaining strong relationships and clear communication
Monitor and mitigate project risks, escalating as needed
Oversee project documentation, reporting, and performance tracking

Requirements

• At least 5 years managing CAPEX projects in automotive, logistics, pharmaceuticals, or oil & gas
• Strong knowledge of automation, robotics, or industrial controls systems
• Proven ability to manage budgets exceeding $1M
• Excellent leadership, communication, and problem-solving skills
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Proficiency with MS Office, MS Project, and SharePoint
• Must pass drug screening and background check
• Valid U.S. driver's license; ability to obtain a passport for international travel
• Must be eligible to work in the U.S. (no visa sponsorship available)
• Preferred: PMP or equivalent certification; experience with OEMs, system integrators, and cross-border teams; digital twin / Industry 4.0 familiarity

About PITCO Engineering

PITCO Engineering is an industrial automation engineering firm on one mission: make automation work for every manufacturer — not just the largest. We design, build, deploy, and optimize automation for some of the biggest manufacturers in the industry, and put that decade of experience in reach of system integrators and the small and mid-sized manufacturers the industry has left behind.

Our vision is to get 10,000 manufacturers standardized — ready to compete with the giants and help rebuild the industrial base. We work in the only order that compounds: get the process right, standardize the result, then make it repeatable through Start with Standard and our AEOS platform.

How we work is held to six values — integrity, accountability, transparency, discipline, alignment, and results. No exceptions.