Automation Project Manager

Purpose: We are looking for a results-driven Automation Project Manager with 5–7+ years of experience in industrial automation and controls (PLC, SCADA, HMI, networks). The ideal candidate will combine strong technical expertise with outstanding communication and leadership skills. This role requires the ability to engage confidently with both internal teams and customer stakeholders, translating technical requirements into successful project outcomes. 

Responsibilities: 

• Lead the complete lifecycle of automation projects—from kickoff through execution, testing, and final handover.

• Serve as the technical-facing project leader, engaging with customer engineers, plant personnel, and decision-makers.

• Translate customer requirements and control narratives into actionable project scopes and detailed plans.

• Coordinate engineering resources, procurement, and subcontractors to meet project objectives on time and within budget.

• Conduct regular internal and customer-facing project reviews to track progress, manage risk, and resolve issues proactively.

• Support design reviews, panel builds, software development timelines, and commissioning activities.

• Own the customer relationship throughout the project, acting as a trusted advisor on both project-level and conceptual automation discussions.

• Collaborate with sales and engineering during pre-project planning and post-project lessons learned. 

• Conduct regular status meetings, track milestones, budgets, financials and manage change orders as needed. 

• Ensure all projects adhere to quality standards, safety protocols, and customer expectations. 

• Support commissioning activities, with site travel as required to support project completion. 

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Industrial Automation, or related field (or equivalent experience). 

• 5–7+ years of experience managing automation projects involving PLC, HMI, SCADA systems. 

• Solid understanding of industrial control systems architecture, panel design, and field instrumentation. 

• Proven ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to both engineers and non-technical stakeholders. 

• Strong organizational and project tracking skills – able to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously. 

• Familiarity with industry standards (e.g., ISA, NFPA, UL508A) and safety compliance requirements. 

• PMP certification is a plus, but not required. 

Physical Requirements:

• Must be able to sit, stand, kneel, stoop, walk, and sit for long periods of time  

• Must be physically capable of lifting and carrying up to 20 lbs. 

• Accessibility: If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact Knobelsdorff Human Resources at 651-923-4970or via email at [email protected]. 

Why Work for Knobelsdorff  

In the early 1980s, in a small garage on a plot of family-owned land, Knobelsdorff Enterprises began. At the beginning KE was a small operation, serving local agricultural and industrial facilities. Three decades of hard work, and a commitment to excellence has grown KE into four divisions. Teamwork, and dedication to our core values has expanded our operations nationwide and have grown to surpass 500 employees. We continue to grow, and drive success with the same steadfast dedication, and core values since the start. Join us today!  

• We offer our employees a career with plenty of room to grow. We offer customizable training programs, and educational stipends so employees can continue to develop.  

• Great benefits with a wide selection of options to choose from. Our benefit package includes a competitive compensation and benefits package, including paid health, dental, life, long-term disability, vacation, and a 401(k)-retirement plan with company match 

• We offer an unparalleled culture that allows employees a work/home balance that fits their lifestyle choices. We have paid vacation based on years of service, as well as unpaid vacation to meet your own work/life balance choices.  

• We have full time work booked years in advance to offer you sustainable employment.  

• For more about our culture visit our careers page at https://www.knobelsdorffenterprises.com/careers  

EEO  

Knobelsdorff is proud to be an equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability, gender identity or Veteran status. 

• Equal Opportunity Employer, including disabled and veterans. 

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