Job Information
Actalent Project Manager in Eastlake, Ohio
Job Title: Project ManagerJob Description
The Project Manager oversees complex industrial automation projects from initiation through commissioning, ensuring that scope, schedule, budget, and quality targets are met. This role leads cross-functional teams, collaborates closely with customers and internal engineering groups, and manages both the technical and financial aspects of projects in an engineered-to-order environment, primarily serving steel and aluminum industry clients.
Responsibilities
Create comprehensive project charters that clearly define scope, objectives, deliverables, and key stakeholders.
Review system configurations with Application Engineers and Lead Project Engineers to ensure alignment with project scope, and assist in developing and updating system configurations as needed.
Develop and communicate clear instructions regarding hours and expenses for the entire project team, ensuring consistency and cost control.
Create time and expense summaries for all project invoicing templates to support accurate and timely billing.
Plan, schedule, and conduct customer kickoff meetings to establish expectations, timelines, and communication protocols.
Develop detailed Project Execution Plans with input from the Lead Project Engineer, outlining tasks, milestones, and resource requirements.
Schedule and lead internal kickoff meetings with key team members to align on scope, responsibilities, and deliverables.
Conduct monthly project status meetings with the project team to review progress, risks, issues, and upcoming milestones.
Facilitate the development of Functional Specifications with assistance from the project team, ensuring technical requirements are clearly defined and documented.
Manage all project issues, including technical and financial matters, by identifying problems early and driving effective resolutions.
Maintain and update the project schedule in coordination with all internal departments to reflect current status and upcoming activities.
Lead regular project team meetings to ensure all team members understand current status, technical challenges, financial performance, and overall project deliverables.
Monitor and report on project schedule and budget, including actuals and forecasts, to business management in a clear and timely manner.
Initiate and coordinate all phases of the project according to the schedule, including hardware design, drafting, purchasing, manufacturing, and testing.
Conduct, attend, and lead regular customer status meetings throughout the design and commissioning phases to provide updates and gather feedback.
Coordinate and develop Factory Acceptance Test (FAT) plans with the project team, ensuring comprehensive test documentation and procedures.
Lead formal customer Factory Acceptance Tests, guiding customers through the test process and addressing any issues that arise.
Work closely with customers and internal teams on a daily basis to ensure expectations are met and communication remains transparent.
Ensure project schedules are met by proactively tracking progress and addressing obstacles that could cause delays.
Track, manage, and control project budgets, making sure the entire team understands budget constraints and financial goals.
Hold weekly project team meetings to review schedules, budgets, risks, and action items.
Provide regular project updates to customers, including status reports and review meetings.
Manage multiple projects simultaneously, typically overseeing 5–7 automation projects at a time with values ranging from approximately $50,000 to $5,000,000.
Lead project teams typically consisting of 4–6 people, fostering collaboration and accountability.
Support travel-related needs for project activities, including site visits and customer meetings, while managing project progress toward successful completion.
Oversee projects with durations of up to approximately nine months, maintaining focus on long-term deliverables and customer satisfaction.
Essential Skills
At least 3 years of project management experience in an industrial automation, plant maintenance, or plant engineering environment.
Hands-on experience managing electrical engineered systems and engineered-to-order solutions.
Ability to read, interpret, and work with electrical schematics and installation documentation.
Experience managing complex capital projects involving electrical, mechanical, and hydraulic systems.
Proven experience leading teams and managing individual contributors on technical projects.
Strong understanding of customer relationships and effective interaction within the context of project delivery.
Proficiency in project management tools and practices, including scheduling, budgeting, and status reporting.
Familiarity with MS Project or similar project scheduling software.
Working knowledge of electrical systems, automation, and hydraulics in an industrial environment.
Strong communication skills to lead meetings, present status updates, and coordinate with customers and internal stakeholders.
Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects while maintaining attention to detail and meeting deadlines.
Capability to travel approximately 15–20%, with increased travel toward the end of projects for activities such as testing and commissioning.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Aptitude in electrical and mechanical devices related to metals industry automation, including PLCs, AC/DC drive equipment, high-voltage systems, and interface devices.
Ability to apply basic PLC programming concepts, work with HMI systems, and understand high-voltage equipment and automation techniques.
Experience with electrical construction in an industrial or plant setting.
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.
Experience working with process automation solutions in steel or aluminum environments is beneficial.
Comfort working with cross-functional engineering, drafting, manufacturing, and testing teams.
Strong organizational and time management skills to handle project durations of up to nine months and multiple parallel projects.
Analytical skills to interpret project data, assess risks, and forecast schedule and budget performance.
Customer-facing experience in leading formal tests such as Factory Acceptance Tests and commissioning activities.
Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to customer sites as required for project meetings, testing, and commissioning.
Work Environment
The Project Manager works primarily in an office environment, collaborating closely with engineering, drafting, purchasing, manufacturing, and testing teams. Occasional visits to the shop floor occur but are relatively rare. The role is onsite five days a week and involves managing multiple engineered-to-order automation projects for metals industry customers. The position includes moderate travel of approximately 15–20%, with more frequent travel toward the end of projects for factory tests, site visits, and commissioning. Company vehicles, car rentals, or mileage reimbursement are available for approved travel. The work environment emphasizes teamwork, clear communication, and structured project management processes, with access to standard office technologies and project management tools to support scheduling, budgeting, and reporting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Eastlake, OH.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $60.00/hr.
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 fully onsite position in Eastlake,OH.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Apr 23, 2026.
Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:
Hiring diverse talent
Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
Ensuring growth opportunities for our people
Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we’ve helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.
Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.