Project Engineer - Industrial Automation & Controls

SkyWater Search Partners; Milwaukee (WI); On-site; USD 70,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

SkyWater Search Partners is partnering with an established industrial automation and engineering solutions organization to hire a Project Engineer in the Milwaukee area. The role blends hands-on engineering, project management, and customer interaction to drive automation projects from quote to implementation.

The ideal candidate will have a background in industrial controls or automation, with 3+ years in the field and experience with PLCs, motion control, and industrial design.

Qualifications

• 3+ years in industrial automation or related technical project management.
• 2+ years in PLCs, motion control, or industrial control system design and programming.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation, Robotics, or related field; equivalent experience considered.
• Understanding of electrical control systems, automation components, and applicable standards.
• Experience managing multiple small to mid-sized projects including scope, cost, and scheduling.
• Ability to develop technical estimates, bills of materials, and engineering documentation.
• Strong communication skills and comfort working directly with customers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Experience with technical sales, applications engineering, or customer-facing projects is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Design, document, and implement electrical control systems and industrial automation solutions.
• Manage multiple projects from concept through implementation and completion.
• Develop project estimates, BOMs, labor requirements, and technical documentation.
• Oversee scope, budgets, schedules, and deliverables for successful execution.
• Collaborate with customers, sales teams, vendors, and engineering resources on automation solutions.
• Support projects involving PLCs, motion control, and motor controls.
• Coordinate equipment installations, system startups, and troubleshooting activities.
• Maintain communication with customers and internal stakeholders on progress and requirements.
• Travel occasionally to customer facilities for project evaluation and support.

Skills

Industrial automation

Project management

Communication

Team collaboration

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

PLC programming

Motion control

SCADA

HMI

Job description

SkyWater Search Partners is partnering with an established industrial automation and engineering solutions organization to hire a Project Engineer in the Milwaukee area.

This position combines hands-on engineering, technical project management, and customer interaction. The Project Engineer will oversee industrial automation projects from initial quoting and design through implementation, managing project scope, budgets, and timelines while working closely with customers, engineering teams, and technical sales professionals.

The ideal candidate has a background in industrial controls, electrical engineering, or automation and enjoys balancing technical problem-solving with project ownership.

Key Responsibilities

• Design, document, and implement electrical control systems, custom control panels, and industrial automation solutions.
• Manage multiple engineering projects from initial concept and quoting through implementation and completion.
• Develop project estimates, bills of materials, labor requirements, and technical documentation.
• Oversee project scope, budgets, schedules, and deliverables to ensure successful execution.
• Collaborate with customers, sales teams, vendors, and engineering resources to develop practical automation solutions.
• Support projects involving PLCs, motion control, motor controls, and related automation technologies.
• Coordinate equipment installations, system startups, and troubleshooting activities.
• Maintain communication with customers and internal stakeholders regarding project progress and technical requirements.
• Travel occasionally to customer facilities for project evaluation, installation, and technical support.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience in industrial automation, controls engineering, or related technical project management.
• 2+ years of experience with PLCs, motion control, motor controls, or industrial control system design and programming.
• Technical degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Automation, Robotics, or a related discipline preferred. Equivalent experience considered.
• Understanding of electrical control systems, automation components, and applicable engineering standards.
• Experience managing multiple small to mid-sized projects, including scope, cost, and scheduling.
• Ability to develop technical estimates, bills of materials, and engineering documentation.
• Strong communication skills and comfort working directly with customers, vendors, and internal teams.
• Experience with technical sales, applications engineering, or customer-facing engineering projects is a plus