Software Project Manager

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Software Project Manager – PLM Implementation Job Description

This role leads a strategic, company-wide Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) transformation, replacing a legacy PLM platform with a Salesforce-based Propel solution in a manufacturing and engineering-focused environment. The Software Project Manager serves as the primary implementation leader on the client side, driving structure, governance, stakeholder alignment, and vendor accountability to ensure a successful go-live, smooth integrations with surrounding systems, and a sustainable post-implementation operating model.

• Lead the end-to-end PLM implementation project, serving as the primary technical project owner on the client side.
• Manage the implementation partner and vendor relationships, ensuring alignment to scope, schedule, features, deliverables, and statements of work.
• Hold vendors accountable for meeting project timelines, delivering committed functionality, and adhering to agreed-upon implementation plans.
• Develop and coordinate the overall migration strategy for product data, including planning, execution, and validation of data transition activities.
• Oversee ERP and other enterprise system integrations associated with the new PLM platform, ensuring smooth and reliable connectivity.
• Create and deliver executive-level project reporting, including status updates, risk and issue summaries, and decision-ready information for leadership.
• Drive stakeholder alignment across engineering, IT, and other cross-functional teams, facilitating clear communication and collaborative decision-making.
• Establish and maintain project governance structures, including decision-making processes, escalation paths, and accountability frameworks.
• Manage project budgets, financial tracking, and documentation to ensure transparency and adherence to agreed financial parameters.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation, including plans, requirements, design decisions, testing outcomes, and transition materials.
• Ensure a successful go-live for the new PLM platform, including readiness assessments, cutover planning, and post-launch support coordination.
• Develop and execute a transition and handoff plan that enables sustainable post-implementation ownership and ongoing system stewardship.
• Provide implementation best-practice guidance in a Waterfall methodology environment, helping to shape how the transformation is executed.
• Influence project approach and execution beyond basic schedule tracking by introducing structure, governance, and disciplined program management.
• Coordinate workstreams across engineering-heavy stakeholder groups and IT, aligning activities to critical milestones within the first three months.

• Proven technical project management experience leading complex software implementation initiatives.
• Enterprise software implementation experience, ideally in environments involving multiple integrated systems.
• Prior experience with PLM implementations, with a strong preference for Salesforce-based Propel PLM platforms.
• Demonstrated ability to manage cross-functional stakeholders across engineering, IT, and other business functions.
• Hands-on experience with data migration, including planning, executing, and validating product data transitions.
• Background working in manufacturing, product development, or engineering environments.
• Strong vendor management skills with the ability to lead systems implementation partners and hold them accountable.
• Experience managing ERP and related system integrations within a structured project framework.
• Executive-level communication skills, including the ability to present clear, concise status updates and recommendations to senior leadership.
• Ability to establish and maintain project governance, including decision-making processes and accountability structures.
• Experience working in a Waterfall methodology environment and providing implementation best-practice guidance.
• PMP certification strongly preferred, reflecting formal training in project management methodologies and practices.

• Experience working in a manufacturing or design-focused organization with an engineering-heavy stakeholder group.
• Familiarity with PLM concepts, data management practices, and system integration patterns.
• Ability to create structured executive reporting frameworks that highlight progress, risks, and business outcomes.
• Comfort operating in organizations without a mature PMO, bringing self-directed structure and discipline to project execution.
• Demonstrated capability to own strategic technology transformation initiatives from initiation through go-live and handoff.
• Skill in coordinating multiple workstreams, vendors, and internal teams toward clear, measurable business outcomes.
• Strong organizational and documentation skills, ensuring comprehensive records for implementation and post-implementation support.

This position operates within a manufacturing and design-focused organization that relies heavily on engineering and IT stakeholders. The project runs in a Waterfall methodology environment, with ERP programs already structured in Waterfall and the new PLM implementation following similar best practices. The role offers high visibility to senior engineering and IT leadership and a high degree of autonomy due to the absence of a formal PMO structure. The work location is in Fort Collins, CO, with an onsite presence required five days per week initially, transitioning to a hybrid schedule of three days per week onsite as the engagement progresses. The assignment is initially planned for six months, with the possibility of extension, and includes critical milestones within the first three months tied to implementation progress, system integration, and readiness for go-live. The environment centers on collaboration with engineering and IT teams, close coordination with implementation partners, and use of enterprise systems such as ERP and a Salesforce-based PLM platform to drive a strategic technology transformation.

This is a Contract position based out of Fort Collins, CO.

The pay range for this position is $50.00 - $75.00/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 Fort Collins,CO.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 1, 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 View email address on ziprecruiter.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.