Senior Project Manager

Bastian Automation; Indianapolis (IN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

Bastian Automation is seeking a Project Manager to lead end-to-end execution of automotive conveyor and automated systems projects, ensuring scope, schedule, cost, quality, and customer satisfaction.

You will coordinate cross-functional teams, manage contracts and changes, oversee testing and handover, and deliver projects in line with OEM standards, with up to 60% travel.

Qualifications

• 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field.
• 7–12 years of Project Management experience in automotive conveyor or automated systems.
• Proven experience managing automotive conveyor, ASRS, AutoStore, sortation, and robotic automation projects.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Must be eligible to work in the USA long term without sponsorship.

Responsibilities

• Lead project execution from contract award through handover and closeout.
• Develop and maintain integrated schedules, budgets, and execution plans.
• Ensure all project activities comply with customer specifications, OEM standards, and contractual obligations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, Installation, Commissioning, and Service.
• Implement robust project tracking for scope, schedule, cost, and risk.
• Provide periodic progress reports to customers and internal stakeholders.
• Lead change order development, customer negotiations, and formal approvals.
• Coordinate FAT, SAT, system testing, and commissioning activities.
• Capture lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Travel up to 60% overnight travel.

Skills

Project management

Microsoft Project

Negotiation

Stakeholder management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or related field

Tools

MS Project

Sensei

Teams

ERP systems

Job description

The Project Manager is responsible for the end-to-end execution of automotive conveyor and automated systems projects, including ASRS, AutoStore, conveyor sortation, and robotic solutions. This role maintains full accountability for project scope, schedule, cost, quality, and customer satisfaction while ensuring strict adherence to customer specifications, automotive OEM standards, and contractual requirements throughout the project lifecycle. The Project Manager leads cross-functional teams, provides robust project tracking and reporting to internal and customer stakeholders, manages contract changes and financial forecasts, coordinates system testing and acceptance, and ensures successful system handover to the customer and internal service and post-contract support teams.

Job Functions

Project Planning & Execution

• Lead project execution from contract award through system handover and closeout.
• Develop and maintain integrated project schedules, budgets, and execution plans.
• Ensure all project activities comply with customer specifications, OEM standards, and contractual obligations.
• Coordinate cross-functional teams including Engineering, Controls, Manufacturing, Installation, Commissioning, and Service.

Project Tracking & Reporting

• Implement robust project tracking for scope, schedule, cost, and risk.
• Provide periodic progress reports to customers and internal stakeholders, including schedule status, cost forecast, risks, and mitigation actions.
• Lead internal and customer project review meetings and maintain clear action tracking.

Contract & Change Management

• Manage contracts in accordance with project terms and conditions.
• Implement disciplined change management processes to evaluate scope, schedule, and cost impacts.
• Lead change order development, customer negotiations, and formal approvals.
• Maintain accurate documentation of contractual changes and approvals.
• Maintain full financial responsibility for the project, including budget control, cost tracking, and monthly forecasting.
• Analyze cost variances and implement corrective actions to protect project margins.
• Coordinate with Finance to ensure accurate revenue recognition and financial reporting.

System Testing, Acceptance & Handover

• Coordinate FAT, SAT, system testing, and commissioning activities.
• Support customer acceptance processes and manage punch list resolution.
• Ensure completion and delivery of final documentation and contractual deliverables.
• Lead system handover to customer operations and internal service/post-contract support teams.

Lessons Learned & Continuous Improvement

• Capture and manage lessons learned throughout the project lifecycle.
• Facilitate post-project reviews and support continuous improvement initiatives.
• Share best practices and improvement opportunities with leadership and execution teams.

Key Objectives

• Deliver projects that meet or exceed customer specifications, automotive OEM standards, and contractual requirements.
• Achieve on‑time, on‑budget delivery with controlled risk and minimal rework.
• Maintain high levels of customer satisfaction through transparent communication and execution discipline.
• Protect and improve project financial performance through accurate forecasting and change control.
• Drive continuous improvement through structured lessons learned and knowledge sharing.

Travel Requirements

• Up to 60% overnight travel. Occasional extended site assignments may be required based on project needs

Required Qualifications and Preferred Skills

• 4 year Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management or Operations or related field
• 7 – 12 years of Project Management experience in automotive conveyor or automated systems.
• Proven experience managing automotive conveyor, ASRS, AutoStore, sortation, and robotic automation projects.
• Strong knowledge of automotive OEM standards, customer specifications, and industrial automation environments.
• Expertise in contract administration, change management, and financial forecasting.
• Strong understanding of system testing, commissioning, and customer acceptance processes.
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and stakeholder management skills.
• Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, ERP systems).
• Proficiency with project management tools (MS Project, Sensei, Teams etc)
• PMP certification
• Must be eligible to work in the USA long term without sponsorship.
• Employees must follow all information security policies, protect confidential data, complete required training, and report any suspected security incidents to support our information security controls.