Senior Automation Project Lead — PLC/SCADA

Knobelsdorff Enterprises; Eagan (MN); On-site; USD 128,400 - 144,450; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health coverage

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Education reimbursement

Competitive weekly pay

Job summary

Knobelsdorff Enterprises seeks an experienced Automation Project Leader to manage PLC, HMI, and SCADA projects from kickoff to handover. You will coordinate engineering resources, procurement, and subcontractors while maintaining strong customer relationships and delivering on-time, on-budget results.

The role requires 5–7+ years in automation project management, a relevant degree, and the ability to travel up to 20%.

Qualifications

• 5–7+ years of experience managing automation projects involving PLC, HMI, and SCADA systems.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Automation, or related field (or equivalent).
• Strong understanding of industrial control system architecture, panel design, and field instrumentation.
• Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both technical and non‑technical stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with ISA, NFPA, and UL508A standards.
• PMP certification is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Responsibilities

• Lead the full lifecycle of automation projects from kickoff through execution, testing, and final handover.
• Serve as the technical‑facing project leader for customer engineers, plant personnel, and decision‑makers.
• Translate customer requirements and control narratives into actionable scopes and detailed project plans.
• Coordinate engineering resources, procurement, and subcontractors to meet project goals.
• Conduct internal and customer‑facing project reviews to track progress, manage risk, and resolve issues.
• Support design reviews, panel builds, software development timelines, and commissioning activities.
• Maintain strong customer relationships and act as a trusted advisor throughout the project.
• Collaborate with sales and engineering during pre‑project planning and post‑project lessons learned.
• Lead status meetings, track milestones, manage budgets and financials, and process change orders.
• Ensure all projects meet quality standards, safety protocols, and customer expectations.
• Support onsite commissioning activities as needed, including travel to customer facilities.

Skills

Automation project management

PLC, HMI, SCADA

Communication with customers

Travel up to 20%

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Automation, or related field

Job description

Knobelsdorff Enterprises seeks an experienced Automation Project Leader to manage PLC, HMI, and SCADA projects from kickoff to handover. You will coordinate engineering resources, procurement, and subcontractors while maintaining strong customer relationships and delivering on-time, on-budget results.

The role requires 5–7+ years in automation project management, a relevant degree, and the ability to travel up to 20%.