Technical Project Manager

Job Description

This is not a typical project management role! We are looking for a technically grounded engineer who can own the full lifecycle of automation projects – from identifying opportunities with clients, through design and development, to on-site commissioning and handover. You will serve as Grantek’s local representative in the Portland area, building and maintaining client relationships, uncovering new project opportunities, and translating client needs into actionable proposals and technical solutions. 

A strong technical background in Rockwell Automation’s PlantPAx Distributed Control System (DCS) platform is essential to this role. You will be expected to contribute hands-on to PlantPAx development work alongside our engineering team, while also coordinating project activities, managing schedules and budgets, and keeping clients informed. The ideal candidate is someone who is equally comfortable configuring process objects in Studio 5000 as they are presenting a project proposal to a client’s engineering leadership. 

You will collaborate closely with Grantek’s engineering team to deliver projects across a range of industrial automation technologies. With mentoring and development from senior leadership, you will grow into a role where you can confidently take a project from conception through to delivery. 

Key-skills and interests: PlantPAx DCS, Rockwell Automation platforms, process control, project management, client relationship development, business development, proposal generation, technical communication, and operational efficiency. 

Primary Job Responsibilities: 

• Representing Grantek at local client sites in the Portland area – building relationships, understanding client needs, and identifying new opportunities for project work 

• Evaluating new project opportunities and developing technical proposals, including scope definition, budgets, and timelines 

• Managing project activities from conception through commissioning, including planning, scheduling, resource coordination, and progress tracking 

• Contributing hands-on to PlantPAx DCS development, including configuration of process objects, faceplates, alarm management, and batch control sequences 

• Developing and maintaining PLC/PAC programs in Studio 5000 Logix Designer for process control applications 

• Configuring HMI and SCADA visualization using FactoryTalk View SE and/or other platforms 

• Communicating project status, milestones, and deliverables to clients and internal stakeholders 

• Identifying project risks and developing mitigation plans 

• Commissioning new solutions at client sites; finding opportunities for improvements and follow-on work 

• Creating documentation, including project proposals, engineering notes, design traceability documentation, and case studies 

• Collaborating with Grantek’s engineering team to ensure successful project delivery across all phases 

• Following up on pending quotes and maintaining consistency in quoting by following corporate guidelines 

• Learning new technologies and mentoring colleagues on your areas of expertise 

• Having fun and being challenged 

Technologies Used 

• Process Automation Platforms: Rockwell Automation PlantPAx DCS, Studio 5000 Logix Designer, FactoryTalk Batch, FactoryTalk Historian 

• PLC Programming Platforms: Rockwell / Allen-Bradley, Beckhoff, Siemens, Omron, Modicon, GE, etc. 

• System Networking: Ethernet, Routing and Switching, EtherNet/IP, DeviceNet, ControlNet, Profibus, DH+, Remote IO, Modbus, etc. 

• HMI Platforms: Rockwell / Allen-Bradley (FactoryTalk View SE/ME), Wonderware, Schneider Electric, etc. 

• SCADA Platforms: Rockwell / Allen-Bradley, Inductive Automation (Ignition), Wonderware, GE, Siemens, etc. 

• Servo Motion Control: Rockwell / Allen-Bradley (Kinetix), Emerson, Omron, etc. 

• Vision Platforms: Cognex, Datalogic, Keyence, etc. 

• MES Platforms: Rockwell / Allen-Bradley (FactoryTalk ProductionCentre), Sepasoft, Wonderware, etc. 

• High-level Programming: C#, HTML5, .NET, Cloud, SQL, VB, VBA, etc. 

• Database Platforms: Microsoft, Oracle, etc. 

• Operating Systems: Microsoft (current and legacy to NT), Unix, Linux, etc. 

• Project Documentation: Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project 

Qualifications

• Successful or upcoming completion of B.Sc. Computer Engineering, Chemical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Mechatronics, Computer Science, or related Engineering Technology degree. 

• Demonstrated hands-on experience with Rockwell Automation PlantPAx DCS and Studio 5000 Logix Designer is strongly preferred. Familiarity with PlantPAx process objects, alarm management, and batch control is a significant asset. 

• Experience with Inductive Automation’s Ignition platform (Vision & Perspective) is an asset, but not required. 

• Understanding of process control fundamentals including PID loop tuning, regulatory control, and batch process sequencing. 

• Interest or experience in project management, including scheduling, budgeting, and resource coordination. 

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills – you will be client-facing, representing Grantek locally, and will need to build trust and credibility with client engineering and management teams. 

• Ability to evaluate client needs and translate them into clear, well-structured technical proposals. 

• Self-motivated, organized, and comfortable working independently while collaborating with a distributed engineering team. 

• Valid Driver’s License. 

• Have full-time access to a personal vehicle. 

• Willingness to travel up to 15% – 30% across USA and Canada. 

Additional Information

We are committed to the principle of equal employment opportunity for all employees and to provide Grantekians with a work environment free of discrimination and harassment.