Project Manager - SCADA & Controls Projects

Job Description

About Avista Realtime Systems

Avista Realtime Systems is a controls and SCADA integration firm based in Elkridge, Maryland. We design, build, program, and commission control systems for utilities, generation, and renewable energy facilities (solar, wind, battery storage) across the country, along with switch gear, generator, and facility automation work for institutional and transit clients. We're a small, technically deep team, and we run our projects on AICONX, our own AI-assisted project delivery platform.

The role

This is Avista's first dedicated Project Manager. You'll own delivery across all of our active projects, reporting directly to the President and working alongside our Engineering Manager. You are the single point of contact for every client: you run the schedule and the budget, drive submittals and progress billing, own every change order, and keep engineering and the field aligned with what was sold.

The core skill is juggling several projects at different stages at once without letting any of them drift.

You don't need to program PLCs or design panels. You do need to be comfortable in a controls environment, reading a scope, a bill of materials, and a schedule and knowing when something is off. This is an in-person role at our Elkridge, MD office with roughly 10-15% travel to project sites.

What you'll do

• Serve as the single client contact on each project from kickoff through closeout
• Build and maintain project schedules and budgets; report status weekly
• Manage the submittal process (drawings, equipment, O&M documentation) and track approvals
• Prepare monthly progress billing and schedule-of-values updates and keep receivables moving
• Identify, price, negotiate, and document all change orders
• Coordinate procurement against the bill of materials and track long-lead equipment
• Work with the Engineering Manager to plan engineering and field resources across projects
• Run project delivery in AICONX and use AI tools daily for planning, documentation, correspondence, and reporting
• Attend site meetings and factory/site acceptance tests as needed

What we're looking for

• 5-8 years of project management experience in controls, electrical, SCADA, or a related construction or engineering environment, with direct responsibility for budgets and change orders
• A track record of running multiple concurrent projects
• Strong written communication: you'll be the voice of Avista to clients, GCs, and engineers
• An AI-heavy way of working: you already use AI tools in your day-to-day and want to push that further
• Familiarity with submittals, progress billing, and schedule-of-values in a contractor or subcontractor setting
• Bachelor's degree preferred but not required; relevant experience is what matters. PMP or CAPM is a plus
• Able to work in person from our Elkridge, MD office

Compensation and benefits

Base salary: $110,000 - $125,000, depending on experience.

Annual bonus: up to $10,000 at target, tied to project margin and on-time billing.

Benefits: PTO, Paid Holidays, 401K Matching, Health and Dental Plans

Avista Realtime Systems, LLC is a growing SCADA, controls, and automation company based in the DC Metro area. For more than 18 years, we’ve delivered mission-critical solutions to the power, water, transit, renewable energy, and government sectors.

We design and integrate advanced real-time systems that help utilities and infrastructure operators improve reliability, efficiency, and security. From control system engineering and panel fabrication to software development and cloud-enabled monitoring, Avista provides end-to-end solutions tailored to complex projects.

Our team is built on collaboration, innovation, and impact. At Avista, you’ll work alongside engineers,…