Automation Project Manager Jobs in California
Automation Project Manager jobs in California are in high demand, concentrated in advanced manufacturing, semiconductor fabrication, life sciences, and industrial robotics across a market that ranges from entry-level coordinator roles through senior program director positions. The heaviest hiring is in the San Francisco Bay Area, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where companies like Northrop Grumman, Teradyne, and Flex Ltd. maintain large engineering and operations footprints. California's push in EV manufacturing, biotech automation, and smart infrastructure has made controls integration and industrial IoT among the most sought-after specialties. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 11+ Automation Project Manager jobs
- Develop and maintain project schedules
- Create and manage design submittals, RFI’s and change orders
- Work with the Automation Manager to create, review and edit required quality control documents
- Manage engineers, programmers, designers, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure required design & installation information is provided correctly and on-time.
- Review subcontractor & engineering performance and provide feedback to the Project Manager.
- Coordinates the necessary supplies, equipment, and services from appropriate sources and maintains inventory control, maintenance, and consumable supplies.
- Authority to review and approve design submittals to ensure compliance.
- Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, construction management or business management.
- 3+ years working experience in Automation and/or Process Controls.
- Must have knowledge of submitting written proposals, scopes of work, scheduling and coordinating site contractors and other assigned personnel; a thorough understanding of preventive maintenance schedules and operations and the ability to meet demanding customer requirements.
- Must have strong verbal and listening communication skills and excellent telephone etiquette as well as a professional friendly demeanor.
- Proven ability to multi-task and handle a high volume of work with extreme accuracy and adjust to changing priorities.
- The ability to anticipate needs and solve job related problems independently and act with appropriate urgency.
- Advanced AutoCAD, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Project, Visio, and PowerPoint skills
- Must possess valid driver’s license and meet MVR requirements to operate company vehicle.
#Mesa #LI-Mesa #LI-HVACjobs #LI-Onsite
Benefits: We are committed to providing employees a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health savings and flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability, a 401(k) Savings Plan, College Coach and employee assistance program.
- Develop and maintain project schedules
- Create and manage design submittals, RFI’s and change orders
- Work with the Automation Manager to create, review and edit required quality control documents
- Manage engineers, programmers, designers, subcontractors, and vendors to ensure required design & installation information is provided correctly and on-time.
- Review subcontractor & engineering performance and provide feedback to the Project Manager.
- Coordinates the necessary supplies, equipment, and services from appropriate sources and maintains inventory control, maintenance, and consumable supplies.
- Authority to review and approve design submittals to ensure compliance.
- Bachelor’s Degree in engineering, construction management or business management.
- 3+ years working experience in Automation and/or Process Controls.
- Must have knowledge of submitting written proposals, scopes of work, scheduling and coordinating site contractors and other assigned personnel; a thorough understanding of preventive maintenance schedules and operations and the ability to meet demanding customer requirements.
- Must have strong verbal and listening communication skills and excellent telephone etiquette as well as a professional friendly demeanor.
- Proven ability to multi-task and handle a high volume of work with extreme accuracy and adjust to changing priorities.
- The ability to anticipate needs and solve job related problems independently and act with appropriate urgency.
- Advanced AutoCAD, MS Word, Excel, Outlook, Project, Visio, and PowerPoint skills
- Must possess valid driver’s license and meet MVR requirements to operate company vehicle.
#Mesa #LI-Mesa #LI-HVACjobs #LI-Onsite
Benefits: We are committed to providing employees a comprehensive benefits package which includes medical, dental, and vision coverage, along with health savings and flexible spending accounts, life insurance, disability, a 401(k) Savings Plan, College Coach and employee assistance program.
See All 11 Automation Project Manager Jobs in California
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Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Automation Project Manager Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Staffing & Recruiting
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in automation project manager jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree in engineering, industrial technology, or a related technical discipline
- PMP certification or equivalent project management credential preferred by most California employers
- Hands-on experience with PLC programming, SCADA systems, or industrial automation platforms
- Proven ability to manage cross-functional teams across engineering, operations, and vendor partners
- Familiarity with California-specific safety regulations including Cal/OSHA standards for automated systems
- Experience with Agile or Lean methodologies applied to automation deployment and continuous improvement
Automation Project Manager Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a automation project manager in California?
The typical path starts with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, mechanical engineering, industrial engineering, or a related field, followed by hands-on experience in automation or controls. California does not require a state-issued license specifically for automation project managers, but many employers expect a PMP credential from the Project Management Institute or a Certified Automation Professional designation from the International Society of Automation. Building experience on the shop floor or in systems integration before moving into project management is the most common California career trajectory.
How much do automation project managers make in California?
Automation project managers in California earn a median of about $120,910 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $69,180 for the lowest 10% to over $188,560 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire automation project managers in California?
Employers hiring automation project managers in California right now include EMCOR, Jobot, and Anduril, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. California's concentration of defense contractors, semiconductor manufacturers, and biotech firms means demand stays consistent even outside traditional industrial corridors.
Which California cities have the most automation project manager jobs?
San Francisco, Chino, and Irvine have the most automation project manager openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its density of semiconductor, robotics, and advanced manufacturing companies, while Los Angeles draws heavily from aerospace and defense employers, and San Diego's biotech and medical device sector generates steady demand for automation project leadership.
Are there remote automation project manager jobs in California?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since the role often requires direct oversight of equipment commissioning, site walkthroughs, and vendor coordination on the factory floor. About 75% of automation project manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with remote work most feasible during planning, procurement, and documentation phases rather than installation or commissioning.
How can I get hired as a automation project manager in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is securing a controls technician, automation engineer associate, or manufacturing engineer role at a California employer and moving laterally into project coordination from there. Large California employers in aerospace and life sciences, including defense primes and Bay Area biotech companies, often run structured rotational or associate engineer programs that expose early-career candidates to project management workflows. Earning a CAPM credential from the Project Management Institute while still in a technical role signals PM readiness and gives candidates an edge when applying to California's competitive openings.
Where can I find and apply to automation project manager jobs in California?
You can find and apply to automation project manager jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the available roles, find the ones that match your experience and target location, and apply directly to the employer through the listing.
See All 11 Automation Project Manager Jobs in California
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