Project Manager II

Target PR Range: 65-75/hr

* Depending on experience

This contract role supports the execution of manufacturing automation and robotics initiatives across multiple US sites, including Puerto Rico. Working within the direction and priorities established by the Robotics Director and global robotics team, the contractor will partner with site stakeholders to identify and assess opportunities, translate operational needs into clear requirements and business cases, and lead selected projects from definition through implementation and startup.

The role is best suited for an experienced automation and robotics deployment leader who can operate independently, build trust with manufacturing teams, and manage external delivery partners. Deep hands-on robot programming is not required; however, practical experience evaluating or deploying robotics in operating brownfield manufacturing environments is essential. The contractor must understand why technically feasible concepts may not be operationally deployable and must be able to assess integration constraints, process variability, space and material flow, safety, controls, maintainability, exception handling, operator interaction, and implementation risk.

System integrators will perform detailed design, programming, and equipment build, while this role provides informed technical and project leadership and challenges vendor recommendations when needed.

• Lead the day-to-day execution of assigned automation and robotics projects, coordinating scope, schedule, budget, risks, decisions, stakeholders, and external system integrators from definition through implementation.
• Engage manufacturing, engineering, operations, digital, quality, safety, and other site functions to understand workflows, pain points, constraints, and desired outcomes.
• Conduct on-site assessments of existing processes and infrastructure to surface brownfield constraints early and prevent solutions that work in concept but fail during integration, startup, or sustained operation.
• Translate operational needs into project scope, user requirements, success criteria, business value, and clear deliverables aligned with technical, safety, compliance, and site expectations.
• Assess automation and robotics opportunities in existing brownfield environments, distinguishing between what is technically possible and what can be reliably operated, maintained, supported, and scaled. Evaluate application fit, process variability, cycle time, space, material flow, utilities, legacy equipment and controls, safety, end-of-arm tooling, sensing and vision, exception handling, human interaction, and implementation risk.
• Build alignment and ownership with site stakeholders, clarify roles and decisions, resolve roadblocks, and maintain momentum across diverse operating environments.
• Lead or support the selection and management of system integrators, equipment suppliers, and technology partners; review proposals, concepts, schedules, risk assessments, and implementation plans, and hold partners accountable for delivery.
• Provide practical technical oversight grounded in prior robotics deployment experience. Compare solution alternatives, identify hidden brownfield constraints, test vendor assumptions, and challenge recommendations without serving as the detailed designer or programmer.
• Support the development of the future automation pipeline by documenting repeatable needs, assessing additional opportunities, and sharing site insights with the global robotics team.
• Plan and oversee focused proof-of-concept activities by defining objectives and evaluation criteria, coordinating partners, assessing results, and recommending whether to advance, modify, or stop the work.
• Produce clear project documentation, decision records, status updates, risk tracking, and handoffs appropriate to the project and operating environment.
• Travel within the US and Puerto Rico as needed to support site engagement, project definition, vendor activities, implementation, and startup.

• Demonstrated experience evaluating, implementing, or supporting industrial robotics and automation deployments in operating brownfield manufacturing, logistics, laboratory, or similar environments. Experience limited to greenfield design, demonstrations, research, or simulation is not sufficient on its own.
• Ability to independently structure and drive work across multiple stakeholders, manage ambiguity, surface decisions, and move…