Project Engineering Manager – Controls & Automation

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Project Engineering Manager to lead controls engineering projects for a conveyor and material-handling team. This position blends technical engineering leadership with controls project management and is responsible for guiding projects from design and programming through installation, commissioning, and final customer acceptance.

The ideal candidate has extensive industrial automation experience, strong knowledge of conveyor and material-handling systems, and the ability to coordinate engineering teams, project schedules, customers, vendors, and field resources. This position reports directly to the Director.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead controls engineering projects from initial concept through installation, commissioning, and closeout.
• Manage the technical design and execution of conveyor and material-handling control systems.
• Develop project schedules, engineering plans, resource requirements, and technical deliverables.
• Coordinate controls engineers, programmers, designers, vendors, subcontractors, and field teams.
• Review and approve PLC programs, HMI applications, control-panel designs, network architecture, and electrical drawings.
• Ensure engineering work meets project specifications, customer requirements, applicable codes, and internal quality standards.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, milestones, risks, and scope changes.
• Serve as a primary technical and project-management contact for customers.
• Support equipment integration, system testing, startup, troubleshooting, and onsite commissioning.
• Provide technical leadership, mentorship, and direction to controls engineering team members.
• Work closely with mechanical, electrical, installation, and operations teams to deliver fully integrated systems.
• Identify potential project risks and develop corrective-action plans when necessary.

Required Qualifications

• At least eight years of experience in industrial controls, automation, or a closely related engineering field.
• Direct experience with conveyor and material-handling systems.
• Strong PLC programming and troubleshooting experience.
• Experience with Rockwell Automation and Allen-Bradley control platforms.
• Knowledge of HMI development, industrial networks, and control-system architecture.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and electrical control drawings.
• Experience managing controls projects, engineering teams, schedules, budgets, and customer expectations.
• Ability to lead multiple technical workstreams through design, installation, startup, and commissioning.
• Strong communication, organization, leadership, and problem-solving skills.
• Willingness to travel approximately 30% outside the local area.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience as a Controls Project Manager, Controls Engineering Manager, Project Engineering Manager, or Lead Controls Engineer.
• Experience delivering large-scale automated conveyor or distribution systems.
• Background supporting manufacturing, distribution, warehousing, logistics, parcel, or other highly automated facilities.
• Experience working directly with customers, general contractors, equipment suppliers, and installation teams.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, controls engineering, automation engineering, or a related discipline.

Location and Travel

Candidates should live in Michigan or within reasonable proximity to the Michigan region. The position requires approximately 30% travel to customer and project locations.

Qualified Canadian candidates who are eligible to work in the United States under TN status will also be considered.

Compensation

• Target base salary: $130,000–$150,000
• Additional flexibility is available for candidates with exceptional controls, conveyor, and material-handling experience.
• Comprehensive benefits package and additional compensation details will be discussed during the interview process.