Associate Project Engineer Jobs in Madison, WI (NOW HIRING)

Associate Project Manager

Location: Onsite in Port Washington, WI
Employment Status: Full Time | Direct Hire
Compensation: $75,000 – $95,000 per year + Annual Bonus Eligibility
Travel: 25% - 50% based on project needs
On Call: Per project requirements

Who We Are
Thermo Systems is a global, full-service control systems integration partner delivering premier class automation solutions across the Energy, Life Sciences, and Mission Critical markets.

Guided by The Thermo Way, we are unified, dynamic, and committed to delivering excellence. Our culture is grounded in three core principles:

• Employee Success – investing in our people and their growth
• Customer Success – delivering reliable, high-quality solutions
• Financial Strength – operating with discipline and long-term focus

We believe strong teams, trusted partnerships, and technical excellence drive sustainable success.

The Opportunity
The Associate Project Manager supports the successful delivery of automation and control system projects from execution through commissioning and closeout. Working under the direction of a Project Manager or Senior Project Manager, this role assists with coordinating project execution, maintaining project controls, and ensuring teams meet schedule, quality, and budget expectations.

The Associate Project Manager collaborates closely with engineering, procurement, fabrication, software, and field teams while supporting communication with customers and trade partners. This role is ideal for early-career professionals looking to develop strong project leadership capabilities within complex industrial and automation environments.

What You’ll Do

Core Responsibilities

• Support assigned projects from execution start through commissioning and project closeout.
• Assist with development and maintenance of project execution plans, schedules, budgets, and deliverables.
• Coordinate project activities across engineering, procurement, fabrication, software, and field service teams.
• Track risks, issues, and change orders while ensuring appropriate documentation and resolution.
• Support project installation, commissioning, and customer acceptance activities including readiness checklists and punch-list tracking.
• Assist with preparation of project documentation, reports, and project gate deliverables.
• Maintain accurate project records and reporting using company project management tools and templates.
• Support estimation, forecasting, and project performance tracking.

Collaboration & Communication

• Communicate clearly and proactively with internal teams, customers, and trade partners.
• Coordinate with cross-functional teams to align project scope, schedule, and deliverables.
• Build strong working relationships with customers, contractors, and internal project teams.
• Identify and escalate project risks, scope changes, and potential schedule impacts early.
• Seek guidance from senior project leadership while developing independent project management capabilities.

Quality, Safety & Process

• Adhere to company policies, QMS requirements, and established safety standards.
• Champion safe work practices in both office and field environments.
• Ensure project work is executed in accordance with project scope, specifications,

and contractual requirements.

• Deliver accurate, high-quality work with strong attention to detail.
• Identify opportunities for continuous improvement in project execution and

operational processes.

What We’re Looking For

Education & Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Project Management, Business, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent technical experience.
• Typically, 0–5 years of experience supporting project delivery in industrial automation, controls integration, or related technical environments.
• Exposure to structured project execution methods and project lifecycle management practices.

Skills & Qualifications

• Working knowledge of project management fundamentals including scheduling, risk management, and change control.
• Familiarity with automation, electrical, mechanical, or control system environments preferred.
• Experience coordinating technical teams, contractors, or project stakeholders.
• Proficiency with project management tools such as Microsoft Project, Smartsheet, or similar platforms.
• Effective communication and teamwork skills.
• Ability to manage priorities and meet deadlines in fast-paced project environments.
• Sound problem-solving and decision-making skills.
• Commitment to quality, safety, and accountability.
• CAPM certification preferred or progress toward PMP certification.

What You’ll Get

• Competitive compensation with annual bonus opportunity
• 401(k) with company match
• Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage with low-cost options
• Paid time off and sick leave
• Tuition reimbursement and professional credential support
• In-house and external technical training opportunities
• Exposure to complex, high-impact automation projects
• A collaborative culture built on integrity, accountability, and teamwork

Learn more at www.thermosystems.com

Work Environment & Physical Requirements
The physical and environmental demands described here are representative of those required to perform the essential functions of this role. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.

Equal Employment Opportunity
Thermo Systems provides equal employment opportunities (EEO) to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, disability, genetics, or any other protected status.

Disclaimer
This job description outlines the general nature and level of work expected. Responsibilities may evolve based on business needs.