Controls Project Manager – Parcel Conveyor Controls

MCS Automation; Wall Township (NJ); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

MCS Automation in Wall Township, New Jersey, is seeking a Technical Project Manager for Parcel Conveyor Controls. This role involves leading the planning, execution, and delivery of complex conveyor control systems for logistics clients. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and over 7 years of experience in managing controls or automation projects, with technical knowledge of PLCs and communication tools. This position offers a mix of office and site-based work, with some travel required.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of experience managing controls or automation projects.
• Proficiency with project scheduling and management tools like Microsoft Project.
• Strong financial and organizational skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning and execution of conveyor control systems.
• Track budgets and manage project schedules from design through commissioning.
• Act as the principal interface for customer project teams.

Skills

Project management

Technical understanding of PLCs

Strong organizational skills

Communication skills

Proficiency with scheduling tools

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

PMP or similar certification

Tools

Microsoft Project

Smartsheet

Job description

Position Summary

As a Technical Project Manager – Parcel Conveyor Controls, you will lead the planning, execution, and delivery of conveyor control systems (hardware and software) for major parcel and logistics clients. You will serve as the primary point of accountability for schedule, budget, and technical performance—coordinating engineering, field execution, and customer communications to ensure successful project delivery.

Your mission: deliver high-value, complex conveyor control systems (sorters, diverters, accumulation, scanning, labeling, routing, and tracking) reliably, on time, on budget, and to specification.

Key Responsibilities

Project Planning & Execution

• Define project execution plans, milestones, and deliverables for conveyor control systems including control panels, PLCs, HMIs, networks, and field I/O.
• Develop and manage project schedules from design through commissioning and customer acceptance.
• Maintain and communicate critical path schedules, resource allocations, and milestone tracking.
• Track budgets, forecasts, and change control to ensure projects stay within financial targets.
• Lead technical reviews, interface coordination, risk management, and quality assurance processes.
• Direct internal engineering resources and external vendors for design, fabrication, and field implementation.
• Ensure deliverables (drawings, narratives, I/O lists, test scripts, as-builts) meet internal and customer standards.
• Oversee FAT/SAT testing, site commissioning, and system handover to operations teams.
• Manage field modifications, change notices, and cost/time negotiations with customers and subcontractors.
• Provide detailed and regular project status updates to senior leadership and clients.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Act as the principal interface for customer project teams, consultants, and third‑party vendors.
• Lead progress meetings, design reviews, and project status sessions.
• Manage expectations related to scope, budget, schedule, and deliverables.
• Maintain strong alignment between controls, mechanical, software, and installation disciplines.

Risk & Change Management

• Identify and mitigate project risks (technical, schedule, or financial).
• Administer change management procedures including impact analysis and approval workflows.
• Maintain contingency and recovery plans for critical milestones.

Continuous Improvement & Standards

• Contribute to internal project standards, templates, and best practices.
• Stay current with control technologies (PLCs, industrial networks, safety systems, motion control).
• Mentor junior engineers and support knowledge transfer across teams.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Controls Engineering, Mechatronics, or related field (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of experience managing controls or automation projects (preferably in material handling, parcel, or distribution environments).
• Strong technical understanding of PLCs, HMIs, I/O networks (EtherNet/IP, ProfiNet, Safety), drives, and motion systems.
• Proven success leading multi‑discipline project teams and external partners.
• Proficiency with project scheduling and management tools such as Microsoft Project or Smartsheet.
• Strong organizational, financial, and communication skills.
• PMP or similar certification is a plus.
• Ability to travel up to 25% for project site visits, FAT/SAT, and client meetings.

Preferred Experience

• Background in parcel / e‑commerce / logistics automation projects.
• Familiarity with WCS/WES systems and data integrations.
• Experience with functional safety systems (IEC 61508, ISO 13849).
• Understanding of mechanical conveyor systems (sorters, merges, accumulation).
• Exposure to simulation or digital twin tools for system validation.

Key Success Metrics

• Projects delivered on time, on budget, and within performance specifications.
• Customer satisfaction and repeat business.
• Positive financial results (margin adherence, minimal rework).
• Internal process compliance and continuous improvement contributions.

Working Conditions / Travel

• Combination of office and site‑based work.
• Travel required up to 25%, depending on project phase and site location.
• Occasional weekend or off‑hours support during commissioning.