Project Manager- Automation & Controls

Actalent; The Woodlands (TX); On-site; USD 96,000 - 124,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

PTO / Vacation

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an Automation & Controls Project Manager to lead end-to-end automation projects for critical facilities in North America, including data centers and petrochemical industries. You will drive projects from FEED through commissioning, manage client relationships, and oversee multi-disciplinary teams to deliver on time and within budget.

The role requires a Bachelor's in Engineering and experience in industrial automation, with PMP preferred.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering required.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Proven experience managing automation projects in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power Gen, or data centers.

Responsibilities

• Lead automation and controls projects from design through commissioning.
• Manage client relationships, schedules, budgets, and project success.
• Oversee multi-discipline teams including engineers, panel shop, and field resources.
• Drive PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, and safety systems projects.
• Develop automation strategies with clients and resolve technical challenges.
• Control project costs, forecasts, EV, scope, and change orders.
• Coordinate engineering, procurement, fabrication, and field activities.
• Support startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting with quality focus.
• Expand client relationships for future project work.

Skills

Project management

Automation & controls

Client management

Budget management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

Tools

MS Business Central

Job description

This person can sit out of the Plano, TX OR Houston, TX location

Automation & Controls Project Manager

Join a rapidly growing systems integration firm delivering automation and control solutions for some of the most critical facilities in North America, including data centers, oil & gas, petrochemical, and industrial infrastructure projects. This is a leadership opportunity for a technically strong Project Manager who thrives in fast-paced environments and enjoys owning projects from concept through commissioning while helping drive the company's continued growth.

What You'll Do

• Lead automation and controls integration projects from FEED and detailed design through panel integration, FAT, commissioning, and startup.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, managing project execution, schedules, budgets, and overall project success.
• Oversee multidisciplinary teams of controls engineers, designers, panel shop personnel, and field commissioning resources.
• Drive the execution of PLC, SCADA, DCS, safety system, and industrial networking projects across mission-critical industries.
• Partner with clients to develop automation strategies, resolve technical challenges, and deliver reliable solutions that exceed expectations.
• Manage project financials including forecasting, cost control, earned value tracking, scope management, and change orders.
• Coordinate engineering, procurement, fabrication, and field activities to ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and on budget.
• Support startup, commissioning, and troubleshooting efforts while maintaining a strong focus on quality and customer satisfaction.
• Help expand key client relationships and identify opportunities for additional project work and long-term partnerships.

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering.
• PMP Certification preferred.
• Proven experience managing industrial automation and controls projects.
• Strong experience supporting projects in Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power Generation, Industrial Manufacturing, or Data Centers.
• Experience with PLC, SCADA, DCS, HMI, safety systems, and industrial controls architecture.
• Strong commercial acumen with experience managing project budgets, schedules, margins, and change orders.
• Comfortable leading projects through engineering, panel fabrication, FAT, commissioning, and startup.
• Experience working directly with end users, EPCs, contractors, and system integration teams.
• Familiarity with ERP and project management systems, preferably MS Business Central.

Why Join?

• High-growth controls system integrator with significant opportunities for advancement.
• Exposure to large-scale, technically challenging projects in rapidly expanding industries.
• Opportunity to work on critical infrastructure supporting data centers, energy, and industrial operations.
• Visible leadership role with direct impact on project success, client relationships, and company growth.
• Collaborative, entrepreneurial environment where technical expertise and leadership are highly valued.

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of The Woodlands, TX.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $90.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan
• Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&DD for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 13, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in The Woodlands,TX.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.