Project Engineer - Industrial Automation

Sai Systems; Michigan; On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Benefits package

Professional development

Team oriented culture

Job summary

SAI SYSTEMS in Michigan seeks a Project Engineer with a strong automation background to lead projects from concept to commissioning, serving as primary customer liaison and coordinating with engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and field service teams.

The role requires a bachelor’s in Electrical/Mechanical/Systems Engineering, 10+ years in industrial automation, PLC experience (Allen‑Bradley/Siemens), and excellent communication. Travel to customer sites is expected; PMP is a plus.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Systems Engineering, or related field.
• 10+ years in industrial automation, controls engineering, or project engineering.
• Experience managing schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Proficiency with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley or Siemens.
• Experience with automation system design and integration.
• Strong communication and organizational skills; travel to sites as required.

Responsibilities

• Manage full project lifecycle including scope, scheduling, budgeting, execution, and closeout.
• Serve as primary customer liaison; conduct meetings and manage expectations.
• Develop and maintain schedules, budgets, change orders, and documentation.
• Oversee design, integration, and commissioning of automation systems (PLCs, HMIs, drives, panels).
• Coordinate execution with internal engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and field teams.
• Identify and resolve technical issues during design, installation, and startup.
• Conduct customer site visits and support on-site commissioning and startup activities.
• Ensure compliance with codes, standards, and customer specs; track progress and risks.

Skills

PLC experience

Client liaison

Cross-functional coordination

Project management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Mechanical Engineering

Bachelor’s degree in Systems Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

Job description

Job Description

Job Description

Position Summary

We are seeking a highly motivated Project Engineer with a strong background in industrial automation to join our growing team. In this role, you will serve as the primary point of contact for customers while leading projects from initial concept through successful commissioning.

The ideal candidate will bridge the gap between technical execution and project management, ensuring projects are delivered on time, within budget, and according to customer specifications.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage the full project lifecycle including scope definition, scheduling, budgeting, execution, and project closeout
• Serve as the primary customer liaison by conducting meetings, providing project updates, and managing customer expectations throughout the project
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, change orders, and technical documentation
• Oversee the design, integration, and commissioning of industrial automation systems including:
• • PLCs
  • HMIs
  • Drives
  • Control panels
• Coordinate project execution with internal engineering, procurement, manufacturing, and field service teams
• Identify and resolve technical issues during design, installation, and startup phases
• Conduct customer site visits and support on-site commissioning and startup activities
• Ensure all projects comply with applicable codes, standards, and customer specifications
• Track project progress and proactively communicate risks, delays, and mitigation plans
• Support continuous improvement initiatives related to engineering standards and project execution processes

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Systems Engineering, or related field
• 10+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or project engineering
• Demonstrated experience managing projects with responsibility for schedules, budgets, and deliverables
• Proficiency with PLC platforms such as Allen-Bradley, Siemens, or equivalent systems
• Experience with industrial automation system design and integration
• Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to work effectively with customers and cross-functional teams
• Experience with project management tools and engineering documentation practices
• Ability and willingness to travel to customer sites as required

Preferred Qualifications

• PMP certification or equivalent project management training
• Experience with:
• • SCADA systems
  • Robotics
  • Motion control systems
• Familiarity with:
• • National Electrical Code (NEC)
  • UL standards
  • NFPA standards
• Experience in automotive, manufacturing, or industrial automation environments

Work Environment

• Combination of office, manufacturing floor, and customer site environments
• Travel required based on project needs

Compensation & Benefits

• Competitive salary based on experience
• Comprehensive benefits package
• Opportunities for professional development and career advancement
• Collaborative, team-oriented work environment