AUTOMATION PROJECT MANAGER

Hyde Park Partners Inc; Birmingham (AL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

ASI seeks an Automation Project Manager in Birmingham, AL to lead multi-million dollar automation and controls projects from kickoff through commissioning. You will manage scope, schedules, budgets, and customer communications while coordinating engineering, purchasing, fabrication, and installation teams.

The role emphasizes strong planning, budgeting, and change management skills, with preference for automation or controls experience and PMP certification.

Qualifications

• Engineering degree preferred; equivalent industrial PM experience may substitute.
• PMP or similar certification helpful but not required.
• 3+ years of industrial project management experience; 5 years preferred.

Responsibilities

• Plan and execute projects from kickoff through installation and closeout.
• Develop and maintain schedules, budgets, and milestones across design, procurement, fabrication, integration, testing, and installation.
• Coordinate priorities and resource needs with engineering, purchasing, fabrication and installation teams.

Skills

Project planning

Team coordination

Budget management

Customer communication

Risk management

Education

Engineering degree

PMP or similar certification helpful

Tools

Project scheduling software

Microsoft Excel

Document management systems

Job description

As an Automation Project Manager at ASI, you will manage multiple simultaneous automation and controls projects with individual project values up to $4 million. You will lead projects from kickoff through installation and customer acceptance, managing scope, schedules, budgets, customer communication, and change orders. Reporting to the Operations Manager, you will coordinate engineering, purchasing, fabrication, and installation teams. Automation or controls experience is strongly preferred, and related industrial project management experience is acceptable. An engineering background is helpful but not required.Primary Responsibilities include but are not limited to:Project Planning and ExecutionReview proposals, purchase orders, and project requirements with sales and engineering to establish scope, deliverables, acceptance criteria, and customer commitments.Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and milestone plans from design through procurement, fabrication, integration, testing, and installation.Coordinate project priorities and resource needs with department managers. Track dependencies, identify risks, and drive corrective actions when work falls behind plan.Budget and Change ManagementTrack labor, materials, purchased equipment, and outside services against project budgets. Maintain cost forecasts and communicate variances to management.Identify scope changes, coordinate cost and schedule estimates, and obtain required approvals before releasing additional work.Maintain change order records and coordinate project billing milestones with accounting. Escalate commercial issues that affect cost, schedule, or customer commitments.Customer Communication and Team CoordinationServe as the primary project contact for customers. Provide clear updates on progress, open issues, decisions needed, and upcoming milestones.Lead project meetings, document decisions and action items, and follow through with responsible team members to close outstanding tasks.Coordinate controls, mechanical, and fabrication teams, suppliers, and subcontractors. Work with engineering leads to resolve technical issues and keep project work aligned.Testing Installation and Project CloseoutCoordinate factory runoffs, acceptance testing, shipping, site readiness, installation, and commissioning with the customer and project team.Track punch list items, required documentation, training, and customer signoff through final acceptance and transition to ongoing support.Promote safe work practices and coordinate required reviews with engineering and site personnel. Capture lessons learned to improve estimating, planning, and project delivery.To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.EducationA degree in engineering, engineering technology, project management, business, or a related field is preferred. Relevant industrial and project management experience may substitute for a degree.An engineering background and Project Management Professional (PMP) or similar certification are helpful but not required.ExperienceAt least 3 years of project management or project leadership experience in an industrial, manufacturing, equipment, or related technical environment; 5 years preferred.Experience managing project schedules, budgets, customer expectations, and multiple assignments through completion.Experience with industrial automation, controls, robotics, custom machinery, or systems integration is strongly preferred.SkillsStrong organization, written and verbal communication, and follow-through. Able to lead teams without direct supervisory authority and resolve priorities with department managers.Ability to understand technical proposals, equipment requirements, and project drawings well enough to coordinate work and identify questions for engineering.Familiarity with PLCs, HMIs, robotics, electrical controls, and mechanical systems is preferred. Hands-on programming or design experience is a plus.Proficiency with spreadsheets, project scheduling tools, and document management. Able to maintain accurate schedules, cost reports, and project records.Able to travel to customer facilities as needed and maintain a valid driver's license and clean driving record.Able to pass a background check and pre-employment and random drug screenings.Physical RequirementsAbility to lift up to 50 poundsAbility to stand and work on your feet for extended periodsAbility to work safely around industrial equipment.Ability to wear required personal protective equipment.Why join our team?Opportunity to develop valuable and diverse engineering and automation skillsStable, full-time employment with opportunities for growthWork alongside experienced engineers, technicians, and other professionalsWe will consider all qualified applicants regardless of age, race, color, national origin, sex, religion, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or any other legally protected status.