Note: The job is a remote job and is open to candidates in USA. Orion Group is seeking a Robotics & Automation Project Manager (PM II) to support industrial automation and robotics initiatives across multiple manufacturing sites. The role leads projects from assessment and feasibility through implementation and startup, while coordinating cross-functional teams and external system integrators.
Responsibilities
- Lead end-to-end execution of assigned industrial robotics and automation projects, from initial assessment and project definition through installation, commissioning, and startup
- Manage project scope, schedules, budgets, milestones, deliverables, risks, and stakeholder communications
- Partner with manufacturing, engineering, operations, quality, safety, digital, and other cross-functional teams to identify automation opportunities and operational requirements
- Translate business and manufacturing needs into clear project requirements, scopes of work, technical specifications, implementation plans, and measurable success criteria
- Identify potential project roadblocks, coordinate decisions, and maintain alignment across multiple stakeholders and manufacturing sites
- Prepare project documentation, progress reports, risk assessments, decision logs, and implementation handoffs
- Evaluate opportunities to integrate robotics and automation into existing manufacturing processes, equipment, and infrastructure
- Conduct onsite assessments to identify operational constraints, technical risks, and potential integration challenges
- Assess the feasibility and practicality of automation solutions based on cycle times, process variability, material flow, facility layout, utilities, and existing controls
- Evaluate industrial robots, collaborative robots (cobots), autonomous mobile robots (AMRs), machine vision, material handling systems, and other automation technologies
- Review equipment interfaces, end-of-arm tooling, sensing technologies, safety systems, and operator interaction requirements
- Identify potential limitations involving legacy equipment, maintainability, exception handling, reliability, and long-term operational support
- Ensure proposed solutions can be effectively deployed, operated, maintained, and scaled within existing facilities
- Lead or support the evaluation, selection, and management of system integrators, automation suppliers, engineering firms, and technology partners
- Review vendor proposals, automation concepts, technical recommendations, schedules, risk assessments, and implementation plans
- Provide technical oversight throughout design, integration, installation, testing, and startup activities
- Challenge vendor assumptions and recommendations when necessary to ensure proposed solutions align with site requirements and operational realities
- Monitor vendor performance, resolve technical and project-related issues, and ensure accountability for project deliverables
- Coordinate with external partners and internal stakeholders to support successful implementation and operational readiness
- Support the identification and evaluation of future robotics and automation opportunities across manufacturing sites
- Develop business cases and assess potential operational benefits, implementation risks, and project feasibility
- Coordinate proof-of-concept activities, establish evaluation criteria, review results, and recommend next steps
- Document lessons learned, recurring manufacturing challenges, and opportunities for standardized automation solutions
- Collaborate with the global robotics team to support scalable automation deployment across multiple facilities
- Travel to U.S. manufacturing locations, including Puerto Rico, to support project assessments, vendor coordination, implementation, and startup activities
Skills
- Demonstrated experience leading, implementing, or supporting industrial robotics and automation deployments in existing brownfield manufacturing or comparable operating environments
- Strong project management experience overseeing complex technical projects involving multiple stakeholders, vendors, and manufacturing operations
- Practical understanding of industrial robotics and automation technologies, including industrial robots, collaborative robots, autonomous mobile robots, machine vision, material handling, end-of-arm tooling, safety systems, and industrial controls
- Experience assessing automation feasibility, identifying integration challenges, and evaluating implementation risks within existing facilities
- Proven ability to translate operational requirements into technical scopes of work, project deliverables, and implementation plans
- Experience managing external system integrators, automation suppliers, equipment manufacturers, or engineering partners
- Knowledge of manufacturing processes, equipment integration, legacy systems, process variability, and operational constraints
- Strong understanding of the challenges associated with robotics installation, commissioning, startup, and sustained operation
- Excellent communication, problem-solving, organizational, and stakeholder management skills
- Ability to work independently, manage competing priorities, and drive projects through implementation
- Experience within pharmaceutical, biotechnology, medical device, food, chemical, or other regulated manufacturing industries
- Familiarity with Good Manufacturing Practices (GMP), validation requirements, quality systems, and regulated documentation
- Knowledge of installation qualification (IQ), operational qualification (OQ), and performance qualification (PQ)
- Experience managing automation deployments across multiple manufacturing sites or business units
- Background working as an automation project manager, robotics deployment manager, automation engineer, systems integrator, applications engineer, technical program manager, or automation consultant
- Experience developing automation business cases, conducting feasibility assessments, and supporting early-stage project definition
- Familiarity with robotics technologies and automation solutions designed for standardization or deployment across multiple facilities
Company Overview