Project Manager – Automation

Pieper Automation; 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 a diverse client base across North America. You will guide safety lifecycle activities from risk assessments and scoping to design, integration, and third-party validation, balancing time, budget, and scope with a strong emphasis on client relationships.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams of safety engineers, controls engineers, and field staff, apply Agile practices to hardware

Qualifications

• 5+ years in technical program/project management within automation or safety domains.
• Experience applying Scrum/Kanban to hardware or regulatory projects.
• Ability to scope complex safety projects and translate standards into tasks.
• Strong client-facing communication and leadership in cross-functional teams.

Responsibilities

• Lead end-to-end execution of machine safety projects for diverse clients.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams to deliver on time, budget, and scope.
• Develop project charters, plans, and risk analyses; manage billing and cash flow.
• Drive continuous process improvement to increase field productivity.
• Oversee scoping, proposals, and risk-reduction strategy deployment.
• Direct third-party validation to meet OSHA/ANSI/ISO standards before handover.

Skills

Industrial automation

Project management

Agile

Client engagement

Tools

Jira

Confluence

Microsoft Office

Job description

Pieper Automation serves as a turnkey automation controls partner to companies that are in need of innovative solutions, strategies & support and is a full solution & services provider for industrial design and integration of machines and systems, including process development and improvement, new equipment design and machine enhancement to help our customers compete successfully in today's highly competitive global environment.

We are a leader in providing complete Industrial automation solutions to manufacturers throughout North America. This includes small, mid-size and Fortune 100 companies in virtually every industry. We pride ourselves in our unique ability to provide control, mechanical and process engineering, along with custom assembly machine manufacturing and panel building, allowing us to deliver your solution seamlessly -- from one supplier. This allows us to deliver the best value to your company through efficiencies in both cost and time management. With thousands of successfully completed projects in our portfolio, we provide an unprecedented breadth of expertise, service, and experience to meet all your needs.

Job Description

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 Partnerswe believe in thePower to Servealong with thePursuit 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

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

Coordinate manpower, resources, and tools across branches and departments

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.

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.