Senior Automation Project Leader, Industrial Controls

Mars Incorporated; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 140,000 - 190,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Mars University

Five Principles

Career development support

Onsite work option

Job summary

Mars Incorporated is seeking a Principal Project Engineer, PCIS, to lead the Controls, Digital, and Automation team in driving capital projects from concept through completion across Mars facilities.

The role requires 8–10+ years in automation, 2–4+ years of line management, and strong PLC/HMI knowledge, with willingness to travel up to 50% to advance factory modernization and Industry 4.0 initiatives.

Qualifications

• BS degree in Engineering with 8–10+ years in automation
• 2–4+ years line management and a track record of leading capital projects
• Proficiency in PLC programming and HMI/SCADA development
• Knowledge of Ethernet/IP, NFPA/UL/CE standards
• Experience with system integration, testing, and commissioning of automated systems
• Strong project governance, including cost estimation and scheduling
• Collaborative leadership and cross-functional collaboration
• Willingness to travel up to 50%

Responsibilities

• Mentor engineers and foster inclusive culture
• Direct end-to-end execution of capital projects within stage-gate processes
• Establish automation standards and cybersecurity governance
• Implement IIoT solutions, MES connectivity, and analytics for reliability
• Oversee budgets up to $5M+ and schedule tracking
• Partner with Operations, Maintenance, R&D, and Finance
• Manage vendors and ensure safety standards are met
• Lead design reviews and complex troubleshooting

Skills

Automation leadership

Industrial controls

PLC programming

HMI/SCADA

Project management

Budgeting

Team leadership

Vendor management

Networking

Travel 50%

Education

BS in Engineering

Tools

Allen-Bradley PLC

Siemens PLC

FactoryTalk

Ignition

Job description

Mars Incorporated is seeking a Principal Project Engineer, PCIS, to lead the Controls, Digital, and Automation team in driving capital projects from concept through completion across Mars facilities.

The role requires 8–10+ years in automation, 2–4+ years of line management, and strong PLC/HMI knowledge, with willingness to travel up to 50% to advance factory modernization and Industry 4.0 initiatives.