Project Manager - Controls & Automation

Project Manager - Controls & Automation

We are working with an established, independent systems integrator looking to recruit an experienced Project Manager to join its growing engineering team.

The business delivers PLC, SCADA, hardware and turnkey control system solutions to a range of industrial clients, supporting projects from initial design and specification through to software development, installation, commissioning and handover.

This is an excellent opportunity for a Project Manager with a background in controls, automation or electrical engineering who enjoys taking ownership of technical projects and working closely with engineering teams and customers.

Unlike positions focused on delivering one large-scale programme, this role will involve managing multiple smaller-value engineering projects simultaneously, ensuring successful delivery against agreed timescales, budgets and technical requirements.

Applications from experienced Controls Engineers or Automation Engineers who have already gained project management experience and are looking to develop further will also be considered.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage multiple PLC, SCADA and industrial automation projects from contract award through to completion.
• Take ownership of project budgets, schedules, resources, technical deliverables and customer expectations.
• Coordinate multidisciplinary engineering teams across software, hardware, panel design, testing and commissioning.
• Work closely with the Operations Manager to allocate resources and maintain project delivery schedules.
• Review contracts, technical specifications, scopes of work and customer requirements.
• Monitor project costs, profitability, cash flow, variations and commercial risks.
• Manage project changes, ensuring any impact on scope, cost or delivery timescales is communicated effectively.
• Maintain strong customer relationships through regular project meetings, progress updates and technical discussions.
• Coordinate suppliers and subcontractors, ensuring quality and delivery requirements are achieved.
• Oversee project documentation, design reviews, testing, commissioning and final handover.
• Ensure projects comply with relevant health, safety, quality and contractual requirements.

Skills & Experience Required

• Previous project management experience within industrial automation, control systems, systems integration or a related engineering environment.
• A technical background in controls, electrical engineering, automation or similar.
• Good understanding of PLC and SCADA control systems, ideally including Rockwell, Siemens, Wonderware/AVEVA or comparable platforms.
• Experience managing multiple engineering projects, including budgets, timescales and resource allocation.
• Strong commercial awareness, including cost control, contract management and project variations.
• Ability to interpret technical specifications, scopes of work and engineering documentation.
• Experience coordinating engineering teams, suppliers and subcontractors.
• Excellent communication, organisation and customer-facing skills.
• Ability to identify project risks and resolve delivery challenges effectively.

Highly Desirable

• Previous experience working for a systems integrator or automation solutions provider.
• Hands-on experience as a Controls Engineer, Automation Engineer or Electrical Engineer before moving into project management.
• Familiarity with SCADA technologies, industrial networking and PLC-based control systems.
• Experience managing several smaller or medium-sized engineering projects concurrently.
• Understanding of functional safety, FAT/SAT and commissioning activities.

What's on Offer?

• Salary from £58,000+, dependent on experience.
• Consideration for less experienced Project Managers with a relevant controls or engineering background, with salary adjusted accordingly.
• Opportunity to manage a varied portfolio of technical automation projects.
• Work with an established engineering business delivering complete control system solutions.
• A varied, customer-facing position with significant responsibility for project delivery.

Apply Now

If you're a Project Manager with a background in controls, automation or electrical engineering, or an experienced engineer who has already taken on project management responsibilities, we'd be keen to hear from you.

Apply with your latest CV or contact Imti at Chapman Tate Associates for a confidential discussion.