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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Overview

Open roles31+
Top employerGrant Thornton (US)
Top citySan Francisco, CA
Cities hiring20
Work type74% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 31+ Automation Project Manager jobs

Amazon.com
Automation & AI Integration PM
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Amazon.com
Added 1mo ago
Automation & AI Integration PM
Amazon.com
Culver City, California
Project & Program Management
Software Engineering
Data Science & Analytics
Project Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
$127k - $172k/yr
On-Site
Master's
10,000+

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Commure
Senior Operations Manager, Automation Development
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Commure
Added 3d ago
Senior Operations Manager, Automation Development
Commure
Mountain View, California
Business Operations
Project & Program Management
Business Analysis
Data Science & Analytics
Consulting & Professional Services
Project Management
$120k - $160k/yr
On-Site
None

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Block
Product Manager, Risk Automation
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Block
Added 4d ago
Product Manager, Risk Automation
Block
San Francisco Bay Area, California
Product Management
Software Engineering
Project & Program Management
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
$139k - $245k/yr
On-Site
None
5,001-10,000

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Peak Energy
Automation Manager
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Peak Energy
Added 5d ago
Automation Manager
Peak Energy
Sacramento, California
Specialized Engineering
Manufacturing Operations
Project & Program Management
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
$160k - $185k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's
11-50

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Symbotic
Senior Automation General Manager
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Symbotic
Added 1w ago
Senior Automation General Manager
Symbotic
Woodland, California
Business Operations
Project & Program Management
Procurement & Supply Chain
Supply Chain
Logistics & Fleet Management
$135k - $186k/yr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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See All 31 Automation Project Manager Jobs in California

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Automation Project Manager Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

San Francisco
7 jobs
Santa Clara
3 jobs
Mountain View
2 jobs
Sacramento
2 jobs
San Jose
2 jobs
Bay Area
1 jobs
Brea
1 jobs
Costa Mesa
1 jobs
Culver City
1 jobs

Automation Project Manager Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Grant Thornton (US)
    Grant Thornton (US)3
  • Coherent
    Coherent2
  • Commure
    Commure2
  • Airgas
    Airgas1
  • Amazon
    Amazon1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software13
  • Electronics & Hardware5
  • Accounting & Auditing3
  • Consulting & Professional Services3
  • Manufacturing3

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 Grant Thornton (US), Coherent, and Commure, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 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, Santa Clara, and Mountain View 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 26% of automation project manager openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of June 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 31 Automation Project Manager Jobs in California

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