Automation Project Manager; Data Center

• Full-time
• Travel Requirement:
  Yes - Up to 30%
• Division:
  Automation
• Compensation: USD 140,000 - USD 170,000 - yearly

Working at Knobelsdorff (KE)

Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions.

Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core value. Starting your career with KE means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work.

If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.

This role supports KE's Automation Division by leading the full lifecycle of automation and controls projects within data center and mission-critical environments. You’ll be responsible for managing project execution, customer communication, engineering coordination, commissioning activities, and overall project performance that directly impacts customer satisfaction, operational reliability, and project success. Success in this role means delivering automation projects safely, on time, and within budget while maintaining strong relationships with customers, contractors, and engineering partners, all while upholding KE’s commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance.

If you're someone who takes pride in doing things the right way and thrives in a fast-moving environment, this position is built for you.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be part of a team that gets things done, works with purpose, and takes pride in the results. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Lead the full lifecycle of data center automation and controls projects from kickoff through commissioning and final handover.
• Serve as the primary technical project leader for data center owners, operators, consulting engineers, and construction partners.
• Translate customer requirements, sequences of operation, and infrastructure needs into actionable project scopes and execution plans.
• Coordinate engineering resources, procurement activities, subcontractors, and commissioning teams to meet project objectives.
• Conduct internal and customer-facing project reviews to track progress, manage risks, and resolve issues.
• Support design reviews, panel integrations, software development schedules, FAT, SAT, and commissioning activities.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships throughout project execution.
• Collaborate with business development, engineering, and operations teams during planning and project closeout.
• Lead project status meetings, monitor budgets, track milestones, manage project financials, and process change orders.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, quality requirements, safety protocols, and mission-critical uptime expectations.
• Support onsite commissioning, startup, and turnover activities as needed.

What You Bring

You’re someone who shows up ready to work hard, learn fast, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:

• 5-7+ years of experience managing data center, critical infrastructure, building automation, controls, or mission-critical projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering,…