Project Manager - Automation

About Us

We are a growing engineering company specialising in the design, manufacture, installation and commissioning of bespoke automated machinery and production lines for customers across the UK and internationally.

Due to continued growth, we are looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead automation projects from customer order through to final acceptance.

The Role

As Project Manager, you will take ownership of multiple engineering projects, ensuring they are delivered safely, on time, within budget and to the required quality standards.

You will coordinate multidisciplinary teams including mechanical design, electrical controls, manufacturing, procurement, assembly and site installation while acting as the primary point of contact for our customers throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

• Manage projects from contract award through design, procurement, manufacture, FAT, installation, SAT and final handover.
• Develop and maintain detailed project plans and schedules.
• Coordinate internal engineering, production and purchasing activities.
• Monitor project budgets, costs and progress.
• Identify and manage project risks, issues and change requests.
• Lead regular project review meetings with internal teams and customers.
• Ensure suppliers meet agreed delivery dates and technical requirements.
• Support factory acceptance testing (FAT) and site acceptance testing (SAT).
• Coordinate installation and commissioning activities on customer sites.
• Produce accurate project documentation and progress reports.
• Ensure compliance with company quality procedures and Health & Safety requirements.

Requirements

Essential:

• Proven experience managing industrial automation or special purpose machinery projects.
• Strong understanding of automated manufacturing systems.
• Experience delivering complex engineering projects from concept through commissioning.
• Ability to interpret mechanical and electrical engineering documentation.
• Excellent organisational and communication skills.
• Experience working with cross-functional engineering teams.
• Strong commercial awareness and problem-solving ability.
• Full UK driving licence.
• Willingness to travel within the UK and occasionally overseas.

Desirable:

• Engineering qualification (Mechanical, Electrical, Manufacturing or related discipline).
• Experience with robotics (FANUC, ABB, KUKA, Universal Robots or similar).
• Knowledge of PLC-controlled automation systems.
• Experience within packaging, food, pharmaceutical or manufacturing automation industries.
• Familiarity with Microsoft Project or similar project management software.
• PRINCE2, PMP or equivalent project management qualification.

What We Offer

• Competitive salary based on experience.
• Overtime opportunities.
• Company pension scheme.
• Opportunities for professional development and training.
• Involvement in technically challenging and innovative automation projects.
• Supportive and collaborative engineering environment.
• Long-term career progression within a growing business.