Project Manager - Field Testing & Panel Design
Job Title: Project Manager - Field Testing & Panel Design
Location: Lawrence, MA
Employment Type: Full-Time
Position Summary
The Project Manager - Field Testing & Panel Design is a pivotal technical leadership role responsible for the full lifecycle of control system hardware, from initial schematic design and heat load calculations through final I/O loop checks and on-site commissioning. This role bridges the gap between engineering design and physical production, ensuring that integrated PLC and DCS systems are built to code, thoroughly tested for performance, and delivered with complete and accurate documentation.
Key Responsibilities
- Engineering & Technical Design
- System Design: Lead the design of integrated systems, including PLC and DCS control architectures.
- Schematic Development: Develop and review comprehensive engineering packages, including:
- Control panel layouts (mechanical and electrical) and wiring diagrams
- Instrument junction box layouts and control loop drawings
- Detailed Bills of Materials (BOM)
- Technical Calculations: Perform critical engineering calculations, including enclosure heat load calculations, enclosure sizing, arc flash, and short-circuit calculations.
- Component Specification: Size power supplies, protection circuits, and instrument bus segments.
- Project Management & Coordination
- Customer Interface: Serve as the primary technical point of contact for clients throughout the project lifecycle, translating complex control system designs into clear and actionable project updates.
- Global Coordination: Manage and coordinate off-site design teams and equipment vendors.
- Requirements Management: Actively engage with clients to define project scope and technical requirements, ensuring final panel designs and field-testing protocols align with specific operational needs and site standards.
- Lifecycle Documentation: Oversee the development of complete Turn-Over Packages (TOP) and ensure all as-built drawings are finalised post-commissioning.
- 3. Testing, Startup & Quality Assurance
- Protocol Development: Create and execute pre-shipment test protocols, configuration testing for control system networks, and full I/O loop checks.
- On-Site & In-House Testing: Manage skid testing, lead in-house pre-testing and initial startups, and support Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) both in-house and at customer sites.
- Instrument Troubleshooting: Perform hands-on setup and repair of complex instruments, including PLCs, AC drives (VFDs), pneumatic valves, and environmental transmitters (temperature, pressure, conductivity).
Required Qualifications & Skills
- Education: Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or a related technical field; equivalent experience will be considered.
- Design Expertise: Proficiency in AutoCAD Electrical and industrial electrical design.
- Network & Bus Systems: Hands-on experience with industrial bus networks, including Ethernet/IP, Foundation Fieldbus, Profibus, and AS-i.
- Regulatory Knowledge: Strong working knowledge of UL 508A, NFPA 79, CE, and ISA standards.
- Technical Literacy: Ability to read and interpret complex P&IDs and programme VFDs.
- Leadership: Proven track record of managing projects and personnel, specifically within a panel fabrication or field-testing environment.
Professional Attributes
- Multitasking: Ability to manage multiple high-priority projects simultaneously in a fast-paced engineering environment.
- Communication: Excellent verbal and written communication skills for vendor coordination and internal leadership reporting.
- Problem Solving: Hands-on, troubleshooting-focused mindset for resolving hardware and instrumentation failures during startup.
Role Overview
This position offers the opportunity to operate at the forefront of engineering operations, transforming conceptual P&IDs into physical, fully functioning control systems. The role combines high-level project strategy with deep involvement in the technical execution of industrial automation systems.
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