Automation Project Manager

Job Title: Project Manager Job Description We are seeking a Project Manager to lead client projects from kickoff through completion. This role involves serving as the primary point of contact for clients, internal teams, and subcontractors while ensuring projects stay on schedule, within budget, and meet customer expectations. The position offers a hybrid work environment and will require periodic travel to client sites throughout Central Ohio for project meetings, plant floor activities, commissioning efforts, and stakeholder engagement. The ideal candidate is highly organized, customer-focused, and experienced in managing multiple projects in technical or industrial environments. Responsibilities Manage projects from kickoff through final closeout, ensuring successful execution and customer satisfaction. Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, resource plans, and milestones. Serve as the primary liaison between clients, internal teams, and subcontractors. Lead project meetings, status updates, design reviews, and execution planning sessions. Communicate project progress, risks, scope changes, and timelines with key stakeholders. Review technical deliverables including drawings, PLC programs, HMI graphics, and project documentation. Track project costs, labor hours, and budget performance while proactively identifying financial risks. Identify and mitigate project risks while capitalizing on opportunities to improve delivery. Coordinate subcontractors and oversee onsite activities including construction, commissioning, and training. Develop and manage change order proposals through approval and implementation. Support electrical construction planning and contractor alignment prior to project execution. Promote a strong safety culture by collaborating with site personnel and safety leadership. Ensure all deliverables, documentation, and project milestones are completed for successful project closeout. Essential Skills Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Business Administration, Project Management, or a related field, or equivalent experience. 3-5 years of project management experience in a technical, industrial, manufacturing, or engineering environment. Proven track record of delivering projects on time and within budget. Strong organizational and multitasking abilities. Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Experience managing client relationships and cross-functional project teams. Ability to review and understand technical documentation and engineering deliverables. Comfortable working onsite at customer locations as needed. Strong problem-solving and decision-making skills. Additional Skills & Qualifications Experience within industrial automation, controls, manufacturing, or engineering project environments. Familiarity with PLC programming, HMI systems, and industrial drawings. Experience coordinating subcontractors and onsite construction or commissioning activities. Background managing project scope, change orders, and customer-driven modifications. PMP certification or equivalent project management credentials. Work Environment This position offers a hybrid work schedule with flexibility between remote and onsite work. It involves regular interaction with clients, project teams, and subcontractors, and requires occasional travel to customer facilities throughout Central Ohio. The role includes a combination of office, manufacturing, and plant-floor settings. Job Type & Location This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Columbus, OH. Pay and Benefits The pay range for this position is $41.00 - $56.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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 hybrid position in Columbus,OH. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 10, 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 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service. 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 [email protected] 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.