Entry Level Traveling Project Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

Job Title: Entry-Level Project Manager

Job Description

This entry-level Project Manager role offers the opportunity to lead field crews on complex robotics and automation projects in a fast-paced, travel-intensive environment. You will manage on-site installation teams, coordinate closely with general contractors and stakeholders, and ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and to high quality standards. The role suits a calm, level-headed professional who communicates proactively, learns quickly, and fits naturally into a collaborative team culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage on-site installation crews of up to eight people on projects involving robotics and perimeter guarding.
• Serve as the primary point of contact for general contractors and other on-site stakeholders throughout each project.
• Provide clear direction to field teams, set priorities, and make sound decisions with minimal supervision.
• Train, mentor, and support new crew members to ensure consistent performance and adherence to project standards.
• Coordinate and oversee daily on-site activities to ensure projects are completed safely, on schedule, and to the required quality standards.
• Communicate proactively with customers and internal teams to provide updates, address issues, and align expectations.
• Assist with project coordination tasks such as scheduling, change order support, and basic estimation activities as needed.
• Adapt quickly to changing project demands, site conditions, and schedules while maintaining composure and professionalism.
• Support construction and industrial installation efforts, including robotics installations, perimeter guarding, and related automation work.
• Uphold and promote a positive, culturally aligned team environment on job sites.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated ability to manage and motivate teams in construction, industrial installations, or a related field.
• Strong leadership skills with proven experience directing field teams effectively.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for working with both customers and internal crews.
• Ability to work independently and make sound decisions with minimal supervision.
• Calm and level-headed demeanor, able to handle high workloads and demanding project schedules without becoming overwhelmed.
• Proactive communication style with strong organizational and time management skills, including consistent punctuality for calls and commitments.
• Capacity to learn quickly and adapt in a fast-paced, travel-intensive environment.
• Experience or familiarity with construction, project coordination, project engineering, and construction management.
• Willingness and ability to travel 100% of the time.
• Flexibility to support project management activities such as change orders, commercial construction coordination, and basic estimation.
• Cultural alignment with a collaborative, high-performance team environment.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with robotics installations, industrial automation, or similar technical projects.
• Experience in commercial construction or industrial installations.
• Exposure to project management practices in construction or automation environments.
• Bilingual ability in English and Spanish, which is a significant plus for working with diverse crews.
• Familiarity with automation-related work such as mechanical and electrical scopes, steel work, racking, motors, photo eyes, cable trays, and PLC-related tasks.
• Interest in long-term career growth within high-volume, fast-paced project environments.

Work Environment

This role is highly travel-intensive, with approximately 98% of the workforce traveling regularly and an expectation of 100% travel. Projects vary in size and scope. Smaller SSD (small sortation and distribution) projects typically have budgets just under $1,000,000 and involve crews of about eight workers. Larger builds can involve 70 to 90 temporary workers on site at any given time. About 80% of the work involves robotics installations in distribution centers, performance depots, and air hubs. Additional work includes installing perimeter guarding, interior cages, and gates, often referred to as fencing, as well as mechanical and electrical automation work such as steel work, racking, motors, photo eyes, cable trays, and PLC-related scopes for various customers. Travel assignments often last around three weeks on site for smaller programs before moving to the next location. The travel schedule can be especially intense from April to October, when employees may only be home for a few weeks in total during that period. The organization runs a high volume of projects, with 9 to 12 new projects starting each week, primarily in the Midwest and East Coast, with some work on the West Coast. The environment is fast-paced and demanding but offers significant opportunities for growth for those who can adapt, perform consistently, and thrive in a dynamic field setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Chicago, IL.

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $28.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Chicago,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 7, 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 without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment 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 the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall 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 applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.