Controls Project Manager - Parcel Conveyor Controls

MCS Automation; Farmingdale (NJ); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

MCS Automation seeks a Technical Project Manager - Parcel Conveyor Controls to lead planning, execution, and delivery of conveyor control systems for major parcel and logistics clients.

You will coordinate engineering, field execution, and customer communications to ensure on-time, on-budget delivery with accountability for schedule, budget, and technical performance.

The role requires strong PLC/SCADA knowledge, multi-discipline leadership, and travel up to 25% for site activities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience managing controls or automation projects in material handling, parcel, or distribution environments.
• Proficiency with project scheduling and management tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• PMP or similar certification is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 25% for project site visits, FAT/SAT, and client meetings.

Responsibilities

• Lead project planning, milestones, and deliverables for conveyor control systems including panels, PLCs, HMIs, networks, and I/O.
• Develop and manage schedules from design through commissioning and customer acceptance.
• Track budgets, forecasts, and change control to meet financial targets.
• Coordinate internal engineering resources and external vendors for design, fabrication, and field implementation.
• Oversee FAT/SAT testing, site commissioning, and handover to operations.
• Provide status updates to senior leadership and clients.
• Mentor junior engineers and support knowledge transfer.

Skills

Project management

Electrical / controls engineering

PLC/SCADA knowledge

Scheduling tools

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Job description

Job Description

Position Summary

As a Technical Project Manager - Parcel Conveyor Controls, you will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of conveyor control systems (hardware and software) for major parcel and logistics clients. You will serve as the primary point of accountability for schedule, budget, and technical performance - coordinating engineering, field execution, and customer communications to ensure successful project delivery.

Your mission: deliver high-value, complex conveyor control systems (sorters, diverters, accumulation, scanning, labeling, routing, and tracking) reliably, on time, on budget, and to specification.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Define project execution plans, milestones, and deliverables for conveyor control systems including control panels, PLCs, HMIs, networks, and field I/O.
• Develop and manage project schedules from design through commissioning and customer acceptance.
• Maintain and communicate critical path schedules, resource allocations, and milestone tracking.
• Track budgets, forecasts, and change control to ensure projects stay within financial targets.
• Lead technical reviews, interface coordination, risk management, and quality assurance processes.
• Direct internal engineering resources and external vendors for design, fabrication, and field implementation.
• Ensure deliverables (drawings, narratives, I/O lists, test scripts, as-builts) meet internal and customer standards.
• Oversee FAT/SAT testing, site commissioning, and system handover to operations teams.
• Manage field modifications, change notices, and cost/time negotiations with customers and subcontractors.
• Provide detailed and regular project status updates to senior leadership and clients.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the principal interface for customer project teams, consultants, and third-party vendors.
• Lead progress meetings, design reviews, and project status sessions.
• Manage expectations related to scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables.
• Maintain strong alignment between controls, mechanical, software, and installation disciplines.

Risk & Change Management

• Identify and mitigate project risks (technical, schedule, or financial).
• Administer change management procedures including impact analysis and approval workflows.
• Maintain contingency and recovery plans for critical milestones.

Continuous Improvement & Standards

• Contribute to internal project standards, templates, and best practices.
• Stay current with control technologies (PLCs, industrial networks, safety systems, motion control).
• Mentor junior engineers and support knowledge transfer across teams.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of experience managing controls or automation projects (preferably in material handling, parcel, or distribution environments).
• Strong technical understanding of PLCs, HMIs, I/O networks (EtherNet/IP, ProfiNet, Safety), drives, and motion systems.
• Proven success leading multi-discipline project teams and external partners.
• Proficiency with project scheduling and management tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Strong organizational, financial, and communication skills.
• PMP or similar certification is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 25% for project site visits, FAT/SAT, and client meetings.

Preferred Experience

• Background in parcel / e-commerce / logistics automation projects.
• Familiarity with WCS/WES systems and data integrations.
• Experience with functional safety systems (IEC 61508, ISO 13849).
• Understanding of mechanical conveyor systems (sorters, merges, accumulation).
• Exposure to simulation or digital twin tools for system validation.

Key Success Metrics

• Projects delivered on time, on budget, and within performance specifications.
• Customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Positive financial results (margin adherence, minimal rework).
• Internal process compliance and continuous improvement contributions.

Working Conditions / Travel

• Combination of office and site-based work.
• Travel required up to 25%, depending on project phase and site location.
• Occasional weekend or off-hours support during commissioning.