Senior Project Manager

Senior Project Manager - SDS R&D Portfolio

Job Title: Senior Project Manager
Business Unit: Industrial Control & Drives (IC&D) - Software & Drive Systems (SDS)
Location: Raleigh, North Carolina, United States
Function: Research & Development / Project Management

Mission

At Schneider Electric, we are committed to empowering all to make the most of our energy and resources through innovation and digital transformation. We are seeking an experienced Senior Project Manager to lead and optimize our Software & Drive Systems (SDS) R&D project portfolio within the Variable Speed Drive Systems Line of Activity.

In this role, you will drive project management excellence, ensure successful execution of strategic initiatives, and lead transformation projects that support our business objectives. You will play a critical role in delivering innovative solutions to market on time, within budget, and with the highest quality standards.

What Will You Do?

R&D Project Portfolio Leadership

• Manage and lead the North America SDS R&D project portfolio while ensuring alignment and consistency across global Industrial Automation and corporate project management systems.
• Consolidate portfolio data and monitor performance against strategic objectives and key performance indicators.
• Coordinate the Rolling Forecast process in partnership with Finance and PMO teams.
• Prepare and deliver portfolio reporting for leadership reviews, including scorecards, stage-gate reviews, and project steering committees.
• Identify and elevate critical risks, issues, and roadblocks to business stakeholders.
• Support strategic prioritization and investment decisions across the portfolio.

Drive Project Management Excellence

• Champion project management standards, methodologies, and best practices across the organization.
• Lead the deployment of processes, governance models, and transformation initiatives established at Business Unit and Industrial Automation levels.
• Challenge project teams to optimize execution, resource utilization, and business outcomes.
• Coach and mentor Project Managers on leadership, stakeholder management, and execution excellence.
• Facilitate project reviews, audits, and phase-gate assessments as needed.

Lead Strategic Transformation Projects

• Define project objectives with Offer Management and North American commercial teams to ensure customer satisfaction and business value.
• Build and lead cross-functional project teams across Engineering, Quality, Operations, Finance, and Marketing.
• Execute projects from initiation through launch while delivering against schedule, budget, quality, and business performance targets.
• Drive collaboration, communication, and alignment among all project stakeholders.
• Ensure successful project delivery, product ramp-up, and realization of expected business benefits.

Key Performance Indicators

Success in this role will be measured by:

• On-time execution of the SDS roadmap and successful market delivery of planned offers.
• Portfolio performance against key metrics including schedule adherence, budget performance, and risk management.
• Achievement of project-specific KPIs such as:
  • Time-to-Market (TTM)
  • Project Cost Performance
  • Customer Satisfaction and Competitiveness (CSC)
  • Product Quality
  • Ramp-up Performance
• Successful implementation of strategic transformation initiatives.
• Reduction of escalations and improved portfolio execution effectiveness.

What Qualifications Will Make You Successful?

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
• 10+ years of experience in:
  • Project Management
  • Engineering and Product Development
  • Cross‑functional leadership
• Experience managing complex technical projects and project portfolios.
• Strong understanding of Variable Speed Drives, Motor Control, or Industrial Automation technologies.
• Experience working across global and multicultural environments.
• Strong English communication skills, both written and verbal.

Preferred Qualifications

• Advanced degree in Engineering, Technology, or Business.
• Knowledge of Engineering-to-Order (ETO) processes.
• Project Management certification (PMP, PgMP, Agile, or equivalent).
• Experience with PMO governance, portfolio management tools, and stage‑gate development processes.
• Prior experience leading organizational or business transformation projects.

Key Competencies

• Strategic Portfolio Management
• Leadership and Influencing Skills
• Stakeholder Management
• Business Acumen
• Risk Management
• Change Leadership
• Cross‑functional Collaboration
• Continuous Improvement Mindset
• Problem Solving and Decision Making
• Curiosity and Learning Agility

Who Will You Work With?

Internal Stakeholders

• SDS Leadership Team
• Offer Management
• Finance
• PMO Teams (Business Unit and Industrial Automation)
• Project Managers
• Engineering and Resource Managers
• Quality Teams
• North America Offer Management Teams

External Stakeholders

• Customers (limited engagement)
• External Partners, including ODM and Brand Labeling partners
• Strategic project execution partners

Why Schneider Electric?

Schneider Electric is leading the digital transformation of energy management and industrial automation. We offer a diverse, inclusive, and empowering workplace where employees can grow their careers while making a meaningful impact on sustainability and innovation worldwide.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

At Schneider Electric, we believe that the value of equity and inclusion means meaningfully supporting each other. We are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do. Our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We are inclusive and courageous. We ask you to become a champion of our job site and work safely, responsibly, and sustainably.

Schneider Electric aspires to be the most inclusive and caring company in the world, by providing equitable opportunities to everyone, everywhere, and ensuring all employees feel uniquely valued and safe to contribute their best. We mirror the diversity of the communities in which we operate, and ‘inclusion’ is one of our core values. We believe our differences make us stronger as a company and as individuals and we are committed to championing inclusivity in everything we do.

Schneider Electric holds the highest standards of governance, coordination, and quality for all tasks that are under our discretion, with integrity and accountability at every level. We are willing to maintain and support them to promote fair business practices worldwide.

Schneider Electric is there when it matters most to you.

Our Total Rewards package outlines all the benefits and support you’ll enjoy as part of the Schneider Electric team.

Care for Yourself and Your Family. We ensure you feel secure with benefits that help you and your family thrive: medical (with member reward points), dental, vision, and basic life insurance, Benefit Bucks (credits to apply towards your benefits), flexible work arrangements, paid family leaves, well‑being programs, 12 holidays per year, 20 days of paid time off per year (pro‑rated in the first year of employment based on start date).

Invest and Plan Your Future. We help you plan and invest for the future with competitive pay and programs: your base salary, short-term incentives or sales incentives, opportunities to own company shares (eligibility depends on start date), and 401(k) + match.

Grow Your Skills and Career. We commit to helping you grow with ongoing performance and development conversations, Senior Talent Program, global career opportunities, access to our Schneider Career Hub for new positions, projects, and mentors, and learning platforms like Coursera to equip you with the skills for today and tomorrow.

Team Up in the Workplace. We encourage teaming up through project opportunities on the Schneider Career Hub, smart ways to collaborate, celebrating contributions via a recognition program (including service anniversary), sharing your voice in our engagement survey, and fostering an inclusive, caring workplace.

Support Your Community. We make a difference in your community with volunteer leave, programs through the Schneider Electric Foundation, initiatives that support youth education, and military leave benefits.

If you believe this job posting is not compliant with applicable state pay transparency laws in the U.S., please notify the Company as soon as possible upon discovery by completing this form.

When you are thinking about joining a new team, culture matters. At Schneider Electric, our values and behaviors are the foundation for creating a great culture to support business success. We believe that our IMPACT values – Inclusion, Mastery, Purpose, Action, Curiosity, Teamwork – starts with us.

IMPACT is also your invitation to join Schneider Electric where you can contribute to turning sustainability ambition into actions, no matter what role you play. It is a call to connect your career with the ambition of achieving a more resilient, efficient, and sustainable world.

We are looking for IMPACT Makers; exceptional people who turn sustainability ambitions into actions at the intersection of automation, electrification, and digitization. We celebrate IMPACT Makers and believe everyone has the potential to be one.

Schneider Electric is a global leader in the field of automated trade and advanced industrial manufacturing. We hold the highest standards of integrity and quality, and we are committed to maintain and support them worldwide.

Schneider Electric is an Equal Opportunity Employer. It is our policy to provide equal employment and advancement opportunities in the areas of recruiting, hiring, training, transferring, and promoting all qualified individuals regardless of race, religion, color, gender, disability, national origin, ancestry, age, military status, sexual orientation, marital status, or any other legally protected characteristic or conduct.

Schneider Electric is a global employer. We pledge to comply with the highest ethical standards and foster an environment where every voice is heard. We commit to open and respectful communication across all levels of our organization.