Project Manager - Automation & Controls

Automationtechies

Project Manager - Automation & Controls

Lexington, KY
Full Time
Paid
  • Responsibilities

    Position Overview

    In this is a new position where you will own the execution of industrial automation projects from award through completion. This role is heavily execution-focused (approximately 80–90% execution) with responsibility for schedule, cost, profitability, and customer satisfaction.

    This position bridges sales and operations to ensure projects are executed as sold, risks are actively managed, and margins are protected. Limited involvement in the sales phase supports quote coordination and ensures a clean handoff before project ownership begins.

    The ideal candidate has prior automation experience, is comfortable in a customer-facing role, and demonstrates strong organizational, negotiation, and decision-making skills.

    Required Qualifications

    • Experience in industrial automation, robotics, or manufacturing systems.
    • Proven project management experience in an engineering or automation environment.
    • Strong scheduling, budgeting, and organizational skills.
    • Demonstrated negotiation experience with vendors and subcontractors.
    • Comfortable in a customer-facing role with strong communication skills.

    Preferred Qualifications

    • Hands-on experience with robotic cells, conveyors, welding systems, or material handling systems.
    • Familiarity with automation project quoting and cost structures.
    • Experience supporting automotive OEMs or Tier-1 suppliers.
    • PMP or similar certification (preferred, not required).

    Project Execution & Profitability (Primary Focus)

    • Own assigned projects from award through installation and closeout.
    • Serve as the primary customer contact during execution.
    • Develop and drive detailed project schedules and internal coordination.
    • Monitor budgets, track costs, and proactively manage risks to schedule and margin.
    • Actively maximize project profitability through disciplined execution and sound decision-making.
    • Negotiate pricing, scope, and delivery with vendors, suppliers, and subcontractors.
    • Identify and capture execution-phase cost savings while maintaining quality, scope, and customer standards.
    • Lead cross-functional coordination with mechanical engineering, controls engineering, procurement, build, and installation teams.
    • Manage scope control and support customer change-order discussions.

    Sales & Quotation Support (Secondary Focus)

    • Support sales during the quotation phase by coordinating internal inputs and timelines.
    • Develop high-level quote schedules aligned with engineering effort and lead times.
    • Assist in clarifying scope, assumptions, exclusions, and risks.
    • Ensure commitments made during sales are clearly documented to support the execution phase.

    Compensation & Incentives

    • Base Salary
    • Incentives: Performance-based bonuses tied to:
      • Project profitability
      • Execution-phase cost savings

     

     

     

     

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