Automation Project Lead for Custom Robotics

Actalent; Whitmore Lake (MI); On-site; USD 100,289,000 - 143,270,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Project Manager in Whitmore Lake, MI to lead custom automation and robotic system projects from order through installation and acceptance. You will coordinate engineering, manufacturing, controls, purchasing, and field service teams to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery aligned with technical specs.

You will act as the main customer contact, manage schedules and budgets, and drive continuous improvement across projects in a dynamic automation environment.

Qualifications

• 4+ years in the automation industry.
• 2+ years in a project management role, preferably in custom automation or machine building.
• Proven PM and program management skills including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams including engineering, manufacturing, controls, purchasing, and field service.
• Ability to manage change orders and scope changes while maintaining project control and customer alignment.
• Experience with automation and robotics in custom automation environments.
• Experience working with automotive customers or similar complex technical environments.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple custom automation and machine build projects from order intake to final acceptance.
• Develop, maintain, and update detailed project schedules, milestones, budgets, and deliverables.
• Serve as primary customer contact for status updates, change requests, and issue resolution.
• Coordinate activities between mechanical engineering, controls engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and field service.
• Facilitate internal and customer meetings; provide regular progress updates to stakeholders.
• Track project costs, labor utilization, scope changes, and overall performance to ensure profitability.
• Identify risks early and implement mitigation strategies to stay on schedule and within scope.
• Review project specifications, contracts, and customer requirements for successful execution.
• Manage project documentation and change orders; maintain organized records.
• Support FATs, equipment buyoffs, and customer launch activities for smooth production transition.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives in project execution and customer satisfaction.

Skills

Automation exp

PM experience

PM planning

Cross-functional coord

Change control

Automotive customers

Communication skills

Multi-project mgmt

Job description

Actalent is seeking a Project Manager in Whitmore Lake, MI to lead custom automation and robotic system projects from order through installation and acceptance. You will coordinate engineering, manufacturing, controls, purchasing, and field service teams to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery aligned with technical specs.

You will act as the main customer contact, manage schedules and budgets, and drive continuous improvement across projects in a dynamic automation environment.