Project Manager – Automation

PPC Partners Inc.; New Berlin (WI); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Pieper Automation seeks a Project Manager (PM) - Automation to lead end-to-end machine safety projects for diverse clients, from mid-size facilities to Fortune 100 companies. You will bridge engineering, project management, and client development in a client-facing role.

You will guide projects through risk assessments, technical scoping, design, integration, and third-party validation of safety mitigations, ensuring compliance with OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, and RIA A3 standards.

Qualifications

• Experience: 5+ years in technical program/project management within industrial automation or functional safety.
• Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) applied to hardware or regulatory projects.
• Ability to scope mechanical and electrical safety projects and estimate costs.
• Deep knowledge of machine safety standards: OSHA, ANSI B11, ISO 12100, ISO 13849-1.
• Excellent client-facing communication; able to present risk findings and mitigation strategies.
• Willingness to travel to client sites (25–50%).

Responsibilities

• Coordinate across business lines to deliver projects on time, on budget, and within scope.
• Develop project charters, plans, and resource plans.
• Manage billing and cash flow for projects.
• Lead cross-functional teams of Safety Engineers, Controls Engineers, and Field Staff.
• Oversee risk assessments, technical scoping, and proposals.
• Direct third-party safety validation and verification to meet standards.

Skills

Project management

Agile methodologies

Client engagement

Safety standards knowledge

Travel willingness

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Office

Job description

Unfailing Dedication

At Pieper Automation, safety is our moral obligation and number one priority. We are a premier provider of turnkey industrial automation and machine safety solutions for manufacturers across North America. We believe in servant leadership, working tirelessly to keep our people-and our clients' people-safe.

We are seeking a Project Manager (PM) - Automation to sit at the critical intersection of engineering, project management, and client development. In this client-facing role, you will lead the end-to-end execution of machine safety projects for a diverse customer base, ranging from mid-size facilities to Fortune 100 companies. You will guide clients through the entire machine safety lifecycle: from unbiased Risk Assessments and technical scoping to the design, integration, and 3rd-party validation of critical safety mitigations.

At PPC Partners

We believe in the Power to Serve along with the Pursuit of Excellence. As such the following values guide our behaviors: A Servant's Heart -- Focus on the Needs of Others, Wisdom -- Insightful, Integrity -- Honesty and Trustworthy, Courage -- Decisive and Confident in Others, Humility -- Modest and Respectful, Passion -- Unfailing Dedication

Essential Duties And Responsibilities

Project & Financial Management:

• Work with the business lines to coordinate, execute and deliver all projects on time, on budget and within scope in accordance with the stated business requirements
• Drive sound Project Management methodology including requirements & business case analysis, development of project charters, project plans, resource plans and related project management artifacts
• Manage billing and collections to ensure positive cash flow
• Facilitate continuous process improvement to increase field productivity
• Drive efficient resource management
• Coordinate manpower, resources, and tools across branches and departments

Client & Program Leadership

• Act as the primary liaison between Pieper Automation and our clients. Coordinate cross-functional teams (Safety Engineers, Controls Engineers, and Field Staff) to deliver turnkey safety solutions on schedule, within scope, and on budget.

Scoping & Proposals

• Collaborate with Business Development to assess customer safety needs, conduct site visits, and lead technical scoping. Drive the proposal process, including cost estimation, quoting, and aligning solutions with internal capabilities.

Mitigation Design & Integration

• Manage the deployment of risk reduction strategies. Ensure active and passive safety systems (physical guarding, safety PLCs, light curtains, area scanners) and control systems are designed, built and validated to meet regulatory and customer requirements.

Verification & Validation

• Direct the critical 3rd-party safety validation and verification phases. Ensure all installed safety systems function exactly as intended and comply with OSHA, ANSI, NFPA, and RIA A3 standards before final client handover.

Qualifications And Requirements

• Experience: 5+ years of experience in technical program/project management within industrial automation, systems integration, or functional safety (ISO 13849).
• Agile Proficiency: Proven experience applying Agile methodologies (Scrum, Kanban) to hardware, systems integration, or regulatory compliance projects.
• Technical Acumen: Ability to scope complex mechanical and electrical safety projects, estimate costs, and translate regulatory requirements into actionable, sprint-sized engineering tasks.
• Standards Knowledge: Deep working knowledge of machine safety standards, including OSHA regulations, ANSI B11, ISO 12100, and ISO 13849-1.
• Client Engagement: Exceptional customer-facing communication skills. Ability to build trust, present risk assessment findings, and explain iterative safety mitigation strategies to EHS Managers, Plant Managers, and engineering staff.
• Mobility: Willingness to travel to various client manufacturing sites to oversee assessments, installations, and validation testing.

Experience, Skill And Abilities

• Positive safety attitude and personal integrity -- both are non-negotiable
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite (i Excel, Word, Outlook, and Teams)
• Proficiency in Atlassian products (Jira and Confluence)
• Strong communication skills, both verbal and written
• Ability to apply innovative and effective leadership techniques to maximize project performance
• Exceptional organizational and documentation skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills; ability to interact with all levels of the company and customers

Physical Requirements

• Office environment requiring sitting and standing.
• Occasional travel to various work sites including overnight travel, exposing employee to outdoor elements, noise and the need to stand and walk.
• Travel is expected to be between 25% and 50%

Pieper Automation is an Equal Opportunity Employer.