Automotive Project Manager Jobs in Novi, MI (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Project Manager – Custom Automation and Robotics

Job Description

The Project Manager leads the execution of custom automation and robotic system projects from customer purchase order through final installation and customer acceptance. This role serves as the primary point of contact for customers and internal stakeholders, ensuring that projects are delivered on time, within budget, and in alignment with technical specifications. The Project Manager collaborates closely with engineering, manufacturing, controls, purchasing, and field service teams to coordinate resources, manage schedules, mitigate risks, and drive successful project outcomes in a dynamic automation environment.

Responsibilities

• Lead multiple custom automation and machine build projects simultaneously throughout the entire project lifecycle, from order intake through final customer acceptance.
• Develop, maintain, and update detailed project schedules, milestones, budgets, and deliverables to ensure clear expectations and timely execution.
• Serve as the primary customer contact for project status updates, change requests, and issue resolution, building strong and transparent relationships.
• Coordinate and align activities between mechanical engineering, controls engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and field service teams to keep projects on track.
• Facilitate internal and customer-facing project meetings, clearly communicate objectives, and provide regular progress updates to all stakeholders.
• Track project costs, labor utilization, scope changes, and overall project performance to ensure projects remain within budget and meet profitability targets.
• Identify project risks early, develop mitigation strategies, and proactively implement actions to keep projects on schedule and within scope.
• Review project specifications, contracts, and customer requirements to ensure thorough understanding and successful execution of each project.
• Manage project documentation, including schedules, meeting notes, action items, and change orders, maintaining accurate and organized records.
• Support equipment buyoffs and Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), coordinating activities to ensure systems meet customer expectations and requirements.
• Oversee installation activities and provide support during customer launch to ensure a smooth transition from project execution to production operation.
• Drive continuous improvement initiatives related to project execution, communication, and customer satisfaction, sharing lessons learned across projects.

Essential Skills

• 4+ years of experience working in the automation industry.
• At least 2 years of experience in a project management role, preferably in custom automation or machine building.
• Demonstrated project management and program management skills, including planning, scheduling, budgeting, and risk management.
• Experience coordinating cross-functional teams, including mechanical engineering, controls engineering, manufacturing, purchasing, and field service.
• Ability to manage change orders and scope changes while maintaining project control and customer alignment.
• automation and robotics, with an understanding of custom automation and machine build environments.
• Experience working with automotive customers or similar complex, technical customer environments.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills to serve as the primary customer and internal point of contact.
• Proven ability to track project costs, labor utilization, and overall project performance.
• Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience in mechanical engineering, controls engineering, or related technical disciplines in an automation setting.
• Exposure to program management practices within an automation or manufacturing environment.
• Familiarity with Factory Acceptance Tests (FATs), equipment buyoffs, and customer launch support.
• Experience driving continuous improvement initiatives related to project execution and customer satisfaction.
• Comfort working with both automotive and non-automotive customers, with the ability to adapt to diverse industries.
• Ability to work effectively with all levels of leadership in a mid-sized, family-owned automation organization.

Work Environment

The role is based in an office environment with regular access to the manufacturing floor, providing direct exposure to custom automation and robotic systems in various stages of design and build. The Project Manager collaborates closely with the program management team and engineering teams, working side by side with technical and leadership personnel. The environment offers the benefits of a mid-sized, family-owned automation company, including close interaction with all levels of leadership, strong cross-functional collaboration, and opportunities to work with automotive customers while also diversifying into non-automotive projects.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Whitmore Lake, MI.

The pay range for this position is $35.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Whitmore Lake,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 26, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.