Automation Project Manager (Data Center)

• Full-time
• Travel Requirement: Yes - Up to 30%
• Division: Automation
• Compensation: USD 140,000 - USD 170,000 - yearly

Company Description

Working at Knobelsdorff (KE)

Along with building state-of-the-art projects, we build meaningful careers, lasting opportunities, and teams of dedicated individuals who truly own their work. As a leading turnkey specialty contractor specializing in Automation, Electric, Energy, and Power Services, our team tackles challenging, cutting-edge projects that provide opportunities to build new skills, confidence, and gain valuable hands-on experience in a variety of different industries. We tackle industrial electrical installations, advanced automation systems, and renewable energy solutions.

Since our founding as a family-owned company in 1988, we've grown while staying true to our core value. Starting your career with KE means joining a culture that values your contributions, moves quickly, takes calculated risks, and celebrates team members who step up and own their work.

If you're ready to join a team where your voice matters, your growth is supported, and your impact is celebrated, KE is the place for you.

Job Description

This role supports KE's Automation Division by leading the full lifecycle of automation and controls projects within data center and mission-critical environments. You’ll be responsible for managing project execution, customer communication, engineering coordination, commissioning activities, and overall project performance that directly impacts customer satisfaction, operational reliability, and project success. Success in this role means delivering automation projects safely, on time, and within budget while maintaining strong relationships with customers, contractors, and engineering partners, all while upholding KE’s commitment to Safety, People, Passion, and Performance. If you're someone who takes pride in doing things the right way and thrives in a fast-moving environment, this position is built for you.

What You’ll Do

You’ll be part of a team that gets things done, works with purpose, and takes pride in the results. Your day-to-day responsibilities may include:

• Lead the full lifecycle of data center automation and controls projects from kickoff through commissioning and final handover.
• Serve as the primary technical project leader for data center owners, operators, consulting engineers, and construction partners.
• Translate customer requirements, sequences of operation, and infrastructure needs into actionable project scopes and execution plans.
• Coordinate engineering resources, procurement activities, subcontractors, and commissioning teams to meet project objectives.
• Conduct internal and customer-facing project reviews to track progress, manage risks, and resolve issues.
• Support design reviews, panel integrations, software development schedules, FAT, SAT, and commissioning activities.
• Build and maintain strong customer relationships throughout project execution.
• Collaborate with business development, engineering, and operations teams during planning and project closeout.
• Lead project status meetings, monitor budgets, track milestones, manage project financials, and process change orders.
• Ensure compliance with customer standards, quality requirements, safety protocols, and mission-critical uptime expectations.
• Support onsite commissioning, startup, and turnover activities as needed.

Qualifications

What You Bring

You’re someone who shows up ready to work hard, learn fast, and contribute to a team that takes pride in doing things right. Successful candidates typically bring:

• 5-7+ years of experience managing data center, critical infrastructure, building automation, controls, or mission-critical projects.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, Industrial Automation, Construction Management, or a related field (or equivalent experience).
• Strong understanding of data center infrastructure including power distribution, backup generation, cooling systems, BMS, EPMS, SCADA, and industrial networking.
• Experience managing commissioning activities and coordinating multiple stakeholders in mission-critical environments.
• Strong communication and organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
• Familiarity with industry standards and best practices related to data center design, commissioning, and operations.
• PMP certification preferred.
• Ability to travel up to 20%.

Additional Information

Pay Range

We believe in paying for the value you bring to the team, and we aim to be competitive in every market we hire in.

Pay Range: $140,000.00 to $170,000.00 per year

Total Rewards

As a full-time employee at Knobelsdorff, you'll have access to a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, wellbeing, and future.

• 100% employer-paid health and dental coverage for employees
• HSA contributions to support your medical expenses
• Company-paid life insurance and disability coverage
• 401(k) with competitive company match
• Paid weekly with competitive wages
• PTO, six paid holidays, and education reimbursement
• Exclusive employee discounts through Working Advantage

We believe your work should be rewarded with more than just a paycheck. At KE, we invest in your total wellbeing.

Physical Requirements

The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodation may be provided for individuals with disabilities.

Typical requirements may include:

• Ability to sit, stand, kneel, stoop, and walk for extended periods.
• Ability to lift and carry up to 20 pounds.
• Sufficient vision and hearing to review detailed drawings, communicate effectively, and observe safety hazards.
• Regular use of computer, phone, and standard office equipment.
• Ability to travel to job sites and customer locations as required.

Accessibility: If you need accommodations as part of the employment process, please contact KE Human Resources View email address on click.appcast.io.

Equal Opportunity Employer (EEO)

Knobelsdorff (KE) is an EEO to all employees and applicants without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, marital status, citizenship, veteran status, or any other protected characteristic under applicable federal, state, or local law.

Applicants have rights under Federal Employment Laws:

KE participates in E-Verify and will provide the federal government with your Form I-9 information to confirm that you are authorized to work in the United States. For more information about E-Verify, please review the E-Verify Participation and Right to Work posters

If you need accommodation during the hiring process, let us know and we’ll work with you.