At least 3 years
This role is STARs-friendly: Skilled Through Alternative Routes.
37% STARs in role.
Job Title: Project Manager
Job Description
The Project Manager oversees complex industrial automation projects from initiation through commissioning, ensuring that scope, schedule, budget, and quality targets are met. This role leads cross-functional teams, collaborates closely with customers and internal engineering groups, and manages both the technical and financial aspects of projects in an engineered-to-order environment, primarily serving steel and aluminum industry clients.
Responsibilities
- Create comprehensive project charters that clearly define scope, objectives, deliverables, and key stakeholders.
- Review system configurations with Application Engineers and Lead Project Engineers to ensure alignment with project scope, and assist in developing and updating system configurations as needed.
- Develop and communicate clear instructions regarding hours and expenses for the entire project team, ensuring consistency and cost control.
- Create time and expense summaries for all project invoicing templates to support accurate and timely billing.
- Plan, schedule, and conduct customer kickoff meetings to establish expectations, timelines, and communication protocols.
- Develop detailed Project Execution Plans with input from the Lead Project Engineer, outlining tasks, milestones, and resource requirements.
- Schedule and lead internal kickoff meetings with key team members to align on scope, responsibilities, and deliverables.
- Conduct monthly project status meetings with the project team to review progress, risks, issues, and upcoming milestones.
- Facilitate the development of Functional Specifications with assistance from the project team, ensuring technical requirements are clearly defined and documented.
- Manage all project issues, including technical and financial matters, by identifying problems early and driving effective resolutions.
- Maintain and update the project schedule in coordination with all internal departments to reflect current status and upcoming activities.
- Lead regular project team meetings to ensure all team members understand current status, technical challenges, financial performance, and overall project deliverables.
- Monitor and report on project schedule and budget, including actuals and forecasts, to business management in a clear and timely manner.
- Initiate and coordinate all phases of the project according to the schedule, including hardware design, drafting, purchasing, manufacturing, and testing.
- Work closely with customers and internal teams on a daily basis to ensure expectations are met and communication remains transparent.
- Ensure project schedules are met by proactively tracking progress and addressing obstacles that could cause delays.
- Track, manage, and control project budgets, making sure the entire team understands budget constraints and financial goals.
- Manage multiple projects simultaneously, typically overseeing 5–7 automation projects at a time with values ranging from approximately $50,000 to $5,000,000.
- Lead project teams typically consisting of 4–6 people, fostering collaboration and accountability.
Essential Skills
- At least 3 years of project management experience in an industrial automation, plant maintenance, or plant engineering environment.
- Hands-on experience managing electrical engineered systems and engineered-to-order solutions.
- Ability to read, interpret, and work with electrical schematics and installation documentation.
- Experience managing complex capital projects involving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems.
- Proven experience leading teams and managing individual contributors on technical projects.
- Strong understanding of customer relationships and effective interaction within the context of project delivery.
- Proficiency in project management tools and practices, including scheduling, budgeting, and status reporting.
- Familiarity with MS Project or similar project scheduling software.
- Working knowledge of electrical systems, automation, and hydraulics in an industrial environment.
- Strong communication skills to lead meetings, present status updates, and coordinate with customers and internal stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
- Capability to travel approximately 15–20%, with increased travel toward the end of projects for activities such as testing and commissioning.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Aptitude in electrical and mechanical devices related to metals industry automation, including PLCs, AC/DC drive equipment, high-voltage systems, and interface devices.
- Ability to apply basic PLC programming concepts, work with HMI systems, and understand high-voltage equipment and automation techniques.
- Experience with electrical construction in an industrial or plant setting.
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
- Experience working with process automation solutions in steel or aluminum environments is beneficial.
- Comfort working with cross-functional engineering, drafting, manufacturing, and testing teams.
- Strong organizational and time management skills to handle project durations of up to nine months and multiple parallel projects.
- Analytical skills to interpret project data, assess risks, and forecast schedule and budget performance.
- Customer-facing experience in leading formal tests such as Factory Acceptance Tests and commissioning activities.
- Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to customer sites as required for project meetings, testing, and commissioning.
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Eastlake, OH.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/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)
This is a fully onsite position in Eastlake,OH.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jun 5, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 30,000 consultants and more than 4,500 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
Posting ID: JP-006045965
