Sr. Engineering Project Manager - Controls

Mars; Victorville (CA); On-site; USD 108,000 - 149,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Influence across 14 sites

Mars University learning & development

Competitive salary with bonus

Job summary

Mars is seeking a Project Manager - Controls to lead digitalization and automation initiatives across our North American manufacturing footprint. You will drive capital projects from scoping through handover, integrating advanced control systems with Factory IT, and coordinating with controls and IT teams to ensure seamless deployment.

The role requires strong communication, cross-functional collaboration, and the ability to travel up to 50% for commissioning, startups, and handovers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, or related field.
• 5+ years’ experience in a comparable technical position OR 10+ Controls experience within the Food and Beverage industry.
• In-depth knowledge of industrial LV electrical systems, instrumentation, PLCs, and HMI/SCADA interfaces (e.g., Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).
• Knowledge of MES/MOM systems, Factory IT Systems (servers, networks), and Factory Cyber Security a plus.
• Demonstrated success managing capital projects (scheduling, contractors, budgets).
• Ability to travel up to 50% for commissioning, startups, and handovers.

Responsibilities

• Research and evaluate emerging digitalization and automation technologies for project requirements.
• Deliver multiple capital investment projects from scoping to project closure.
• Oversee integration of digitalization and automation systems with existing manufacturing infrastructure.
• Collaborate with controls and IT/automation engineers to tailor solutions.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards, safety and quality guidelines.
• Identify and manage project risks and mitigate issues.
• Facilitate handover to operations and maintenance teams.
• Maintain stakeholder communication and regular status updates.
• Manage budgets and resources to meet financial targets.
• Provide training and knowledge transfer to end-users.

Skills

Strong communication

Travel up to 50%

Team collaboration

Project management

Leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Electrical or Electronics Engineering degree

Tools

Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley

Siemens

MES/MOM platforms

Job description

Job Description

Project Manager - Controls

Based in OH, CA, NV, SC, MO

Travel up to 50% to support projects

Ready to shape the future of digital manufacturing? We are looking for a Digitalization & Controls Project Engineer to lead the integration of advanced automation, Industry 4.0 technologies, and robust controls networks across our manufacturing footprint.

In this role, you won't just keep the lights on—you will run the show on multi-million dollar capital investment projects, researching and implementing cutting-edge automation solutions from technical scoping to final handover. If you want to bridge the gap between traditional plant-floor controls and modern Factory IT, this is your next step.

What are we looking for?

Minimum:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering AND
• 5+ years’ experience in a comparable technical position OR
• 10+ Controls experience within the Food and Beverage industry
• In-depth knowledge of industrial low-voltage electrical systems, instrumentation, PLCs, and HMI/SCADA interfaces (e.g., Rockwell Automation/Allen-Bradley, Siemens).
• Knowledge of Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES)/Manufacturing Operations Management (MOM) systems, Factory IT Systems (physical/virtual servers, networks), and Factory Cyber Security is a plus
• Demonstrated success managing capital projects (scheduling, managing contractors, and controlling budgets).
• Proven ability to work in a team environment and on high performing teams
• Strong communication, listening, and influencing skills
• Ability to travel up to 50% to support plant commissioning, critical project startups, and technical handovers.

Preferred:

• Electrical or Electronics Engineering or other related electrical or controls degree
• 5+ years’ experience in a comparable technical position within the following industries: food, beverage, pharmaceutical or related
• Experience with Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) or MOM platforms.
• Familiarity with Factory IT Environments (virtualized servers, industrial networking protocols, and factory cybersecurity frameworks).

What will be your key responsibilities?

• Technology Research, Evaluation, and Selection: Research and evaluate emerging digitalization and automation technologies to identify solutions suitable for specific project requirements in collaboration with regional and global engineering.
• Delivering several capital investment projects simultaneously, from providing technical scoping with internal customer and business stakeholders, through design with 3rd parties, to Project Closure.
• System Integration and Implementation: Oversee the integration and implementation of digitalization and advanced automation systems within existing manufacturing infrastructure. Coordinate with vendors, contractors, and internal teams to ensure seamless deployment and adherence to project timelines.
• Collaboration and Automation: Collaborate with controls engineers, and IT/automation engineers to tailor solutions for optimal performance to meet the unique requirements of manufacturing processes.
• Compliance and Standards Adherence: Ensure digitalization and automation projects comply with relevant industry standards, regulations, safety, and quality guidelines.
• Risk Management: Identify and manage project risks associated with digitalization and automation initiatives. Mitigate potential issues and resolve project-related challenges to ensure successful project delivery.
• Handover to Operations: Facilitate the transition of completed projects to operations and technical teams. Ensure digitalization and automation systems are properly commissioned, tested, and handed over for ongoing maintenance and support.
• Stakeholder Communication: Maintain clear and effective communication with stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle. Provide regular updates on project status, milestones, and deliverables.
• Budget and Resource Management: Manage project budgets and resources effectively to ensure cost-efficient execution of digitalization and automation projects. Monitor expenditures, allocate resources, and track project progress against financial targets.
• Training and Knowledge Transfer: Provide training and support to end-users and operational staff on using and maintaining digitalization and automation systems. Facilitate knowledge transfer and skill development to ensure successful adoption and utilization of new technologies.
• Vendor and Supplier Management: Collaborate with external vendors and suppliers to procure hardware, software, and services required for digitalization and automation projects. Negotiate contracts, manage vendor relationships, and ensure deliverables meet quality standards and specifications.

What can you expect from Mars?

• Ability to have influence across 14 different sites across the Pet Nutrition North American network
• Work with over 130,000 like-minded and talented Associates, all guided by The Five Principles.
• Join a purpose driven company, where we’re striving to build the world we want tomorrow, today.
• Best-in-class learning and development support from day one, including access to our in‑house Mars University.
• An industry competitive salary and benefits package, including company bonus.

Mars does not sponsor visas for this role.

This position is not eligible for relocation benefits.

The base pay range for this position at commencement of employment is between the range listed below, however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including but not limited to job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position will include variable pay, medical and dental benefits, participation in 401k plan, and paid time off benefits. Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if an applicant receives an offer of employment.

The pay range shown is applicable to all US locations listed within the job posting:USD 108,160.00 - USD 148,720.00