Automation & Controls Project Manager
Listed on 2026-08-06
-
Engineering
Operations Management
Automation & Controls Project Manager
The Automation & Controls Project Manager leads complex industrial automation and control systems projects from Front-End Engineering & Design (FEED) through detailed design, panel integration, commissioning, and start-up. This role combines deep technical expertise in control and safety systems with strong commercial and execution leadership to ensure projects are delivered safely, profitably, and in full alignment with client expectations. The position serves as the primary technical and commercial authority on assigned projects, guiding multidisciplinary teams and maintaining strong, long-term client relationships across a variety of industrial sectors.
Responsibilities
- Lead and own all phases of automation and controls projects, including FEED, detailed engineering, panel integration, factory acceptance testing (FAT), site commissioning, and start-up.
- Serve as the technical authority for control, safety, and information system solutions across industrial process applications.
- Ensure automation architectures, control philosophies, and system designs align with project scope, client standards, and industry best practices.
- Collaborate with engineering teams to resolve complex technical challenges during project execution and commissioning.
- Manage projects with a strong focus on contract value growth, margin protection, and revenue realization.
- Actively manage client scope, identify changes and impacts early, and develop change orders to prevent margin erosion.
- Maintain responsibility for project budgets, cost forecasting, earned value tracking, and financial reporting.
- Balance technical decisions with commercial outcomes to deliver profitable and sustainable projects.
- Develop and maintain detailed project schedules that cover engineering, panel fabrication, procurement, and field execution activities.
- Clearly communicate scope, schedule, and budget expectations to project team members and ensure accountability for meeting milestones.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering.
- PMP (Project Management Professional) certification.
- Proven project management experience managing control system and automation projects in one or more of the following industries:
Oil & Gas, Petrochemical, Power Generation, and Data Centers. - Strong experience with MS Business Central ERP.
- Demonstrated project management expertise in industrial automation and control systems, including FEED, detailed design, panel integration, FAT, commissioning, and start-up.
- Hands-on experience with control systems engineering and control system platforms.
- Proficiency in project budgeting, cost forecasting, earned value tracking, and financial reporting.
- Strong skills in project scheduling and coordination of engineering, panel fabrication, procurement, and field execution.
- Proven ability to manage scope, develop change orders, and protect project margins.
- Experience leading multidisciplinary teams of automation engineers, designers, panel shop resources, and commissioning personnel.
- Effective communication skills, including the ability to present status reports and lead client and internal meetings.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Plano, TX.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $90.00/hr eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision;
Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital; 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available;
Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents);
Short and long-term disability;
Health Spending Account (HSA);
Transportation benefits;
Employee Assistance Program;
Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave).
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Plano, TX.
Final date to receive applications
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 17, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in…
(If this job is in fact in your jurisdiction, then you may be using a Proxy or VPN to access this site, and to progress further, you should change your connectivity to another mobile device or PC).