Project Manager (Industrial Automation & Controls)

Polaris Automation, Inc.; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 95,000 - 125,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan)

Hybrid schedule

Health insurance (day 1)

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Job summary

Polaris Automation, Inc. is seeking a Project Manager to lead automation, controls, engineering, and digital transformation projects for manufacturing clients in the Central Ohio region.

You will own projects end-to-end, maintain schedules and budgets, and serve as the primary contact for clients, internal teams, and subcontractors. This hybrid role requires proximity to Central Ohio for in-person visits and on-site work as needed.

Qualifications

• Four-year college degree or equivalent experience in a relevant field.
• 3-5 years of related project management experience.
• Proven track record delivering projects on time and within budget.

Responsibilities

• Own project execution from kickoff to closeout for assigned clients.
• Define and manage scope, schedules, milestones, budgets, and resources.
• Present status to stakeholders and coordinate with teams and subcontractors.
• Lead project meetings, reviews, and ensure quality deliverables.
• Identify risks, develop mitigation plans, and manage changes.
• Ensure safety and compliance on-site.

Skills

Project management

Client communication

Organizational skills

Safety mindset

Technical review

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor's degree or equivalent in business, engineering, or related field

Tools

PLC programming

HMI design

Industrial drawings

Job description

Full-Time | Hybrid | Must Be Located Within Easy Driving Distance of Central Ohio | 100% Employee-Owned

Do you thrive on turning complex, technical projects into on-time, on-budget wins for manufacturing clients?

At Polaris Automation, we’re looking for a Project Manager to lead the execution of automation, controls, engineering, and digital transformation projects for some of the world’s leading manufacturers. This is an opportunity to own projects from kickoff to closeout, build strong client relationships, and help deliver solutions that make a real, measurable impact on the plant floor.

If you’re driven by clear communication, sharp organization, and getting things done right the first time, this could be the next step in your project management career.

Who We Are

Polaris Automation is a fast-growing, 100% employee-owned smart manufacturing partner helping manufacturers improve quality, efficiency, productivity, and operational performance. We work with some of the world’s leading manufacturers to deliver advanced automation, controls, MES, batch, and digital transformation solutions.

As an employee-owner, you’ll have a direct stake in our success and the opportunity to help shape the future of an expanding company.

The Opportunity

As a Project Manager, you’ll be the driving force behind assigned client projects, keeping schedules, budgets, and deliverables on track from the very first kickoff call.

You’ll be the go-to person for clients, internal teams, and subcontractors, making sure everyone stays aligned, informed, and moving in the same direction, from routine status updates to on-the-ground problem-solving.

We’re looking for someone who takes pride in running a tight, well-organized project, communicates clearly under pressure, and genuinely enjoys seeing a project through from the first kickoff call to final handoff.

This is a hybrid position, so candidates must be located within reasonable driving distance of Central Ohio to support in-person client visits, plant floor work, and occasional team meetings. Some clients may ask for a day or two a week onsite at their office, so comfort with a hybrid schedule is important.

What You’ll Do

• Own project execution from kickoff through closeout for assigned clients and projects
• Define and manage project scope, schedules, milestones, budgets, and resource plans
• Present project status to customer stakeholders, keeping them aligned on progress, timelines, and any changes
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, internal teams, and subcontractors, leading alignment across all stakeholders including global leadership as needed
• Lead project meetings, design reviews, and overall execution to ensure quality deliverables
• Review deliverables, including drawings, PLC code, HMI graphics, and documentation, to ensure they meet company and client standards
• Track project hours and budgets, flagging and addressing financial risks early
• Identify, analyze, and prioritize potential risks and opportunities for the project
• Develop, review, and approve electrical construction plans, aligning contractors with the project scope of work before work begins
• Manage subcontractors through execution, coordinating onsite activities such as project meetings, commissioning, construction, and training sessions
• Create and present change order proposals, and follow them through to approval
• Champion safety on every project, partnering with the safety officer to keep teams equipped and trained
• Drive projects to a clean, on-time closeout, ensuring every deliverable is sent, every milestone is hit, and every client is satisfied

What Success Looks Like

• Projects are delivered on time, within budget, and to a high standard of quality
• Clients, subcontractors, and internal teams always know where a project stands
• Issues and risks are caught early and resolved before they impact delivery
• Clients trust you as their go-to contact and want to work with you again
• Project teams feel supported, informed, and set up to do their best work

What You Bring

• Four-year college degree, or equivalent experience, in business administration, engineering, project management, or a related field
• 3-5 years of related experience and/or training, or an equivalent combination of education and experience
• A track record of delivering projects on time and within budget
• Strong organizational skills and the ability to manage multiple moving pieces at once
• Clear, confident communication with clients, subcontractors, and internal teams
• Comfort reviewing technical deliverables such as drawings, PLC code, and HMI graphics
• A safety-first mindset and comfort working onsite at client locations as needed

Bonus Points For

• Experience in industrial automation, controls, or manufacturing project environments
• Familiarity with PLC programming, HMI design, or industrial drawings
• Experience managing subcontractors or coordinating onsite work
• Background in change order and project scope management
• PMP or similar project management certification

Why You’ll Love Working Here

• 100% employee-owned: we think and act like owners
• Real ownership over projects from day one, with visible impact on your work
• Supportive, low-ego culture focused on getting it right, together
• Exposure to advanced manufacturing, automation, and emerging technologies
• Flexible hybrid schedule, with most work done remotely
• Room to grow your project management career within a growing company
• Work alongside experienced engineers, controls experts, and automation specialists
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance (day 1)
• Company-funded Health Reimbursement Account (HRA)
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• 401(k) with up to 6% company match
• Company-paid life insurance
• Paid parental leave
• Generous PTO and paid holidays
• Wellness programs and gym membership reimbursement
• Mental health and wellbeing benefits