Project Manager (Manufacturing Capacity Expansion)

Siemens•Wendell, NC

6d•$109,742 - $188,129•Hybrid

About The Position

Siemens Electrification & Automation is enabling a more reliable, resilient, and sustainable electric grid. By partnering with utilities and EPCs, our integrated, turnkey electrical systems support grid modernization, capacity expansion, and energy transition. We are seeking a Project Manager (Manufacturing Capacity Expansion) to own the end-to-end project management of manufacturing footprint expansion projects and/or the setup of large contract manufacturing operations, coordinate cross-functional work from R&D and product development through equipment and automation engineering, supplier engagement, equipment purchase, installation, commissioning, material procurement, SAP and other systems setup, building construction coordination, production launch, materials readiness, staffing ramp-up, and handoff to operations. The role requires strong ownership, practical problem solving, and the ability to drive execution across teams that may not report directly to the project manager. This hybrid position is based at our corporate headquarters in Wendell, NC. Located in the heart of the Research Triangle about 20 minutes east of Raleigh, Wendell offers top-rated schools, a mild climate, easy access to mountains and coast, and a cost of living that allows our compensation to go further. Local candidates are encouraged to apply. We offer relocation assistance for eligible candidates. This role may allow hybrid/work-from-home for planning and reporting activities, but on-site presence is expected during critical execution phases, including equipment installation, commissioning, production validation, ramp-up, and launch readiness reviews. Travel up to 50% based on business need will be required.

Requirements

BS/BA degree required. Engineering, manufacturing, supply chain, operations, or related STEM field preferred, or equivalent experience.
Four (4) or more years of experience, commensurate with the position profile, including direct experience leading complex industrial launch, NPI, automation, equipment implementation, or manufacturing start-up projects.
Solid understanding of project management concepts, including critical path management, integrated schedules, achievement governance, budget tracking, and reporting.
Ability to manage project information with discipline, including schedules, meeting minutes, action logs, purchase documentation, contracts, equipment specifications, supplier communication, validation records, and launch readiness documentation.
Demonstrated ability to influence without direct authority across technical, operational, and commercial teams.
Strong interpersonal, negotiation, communication, critical issue, and decision-framing skills.
Financial competence needed to connect project decisions to budget, timing, launch readiness, and business impact.
Comfortable working in a high-ambiguity environment where product, process, equipment, and ramp-up assumptions may evolve.
Willingness and ability to travel up to 50% based on business need.
Legally authorized to work in the United States on a continual and permanent basis without company sponsorship
Resourcefulness: Find practical ways to keep the launch moving when authority, resources, information, or timing are constrained.
Results orientation: Break complex problems into clear options, decisions, owners, and recovery actions.
Manufacturing and supplier awareness: Understand the chain effects of product maturity, equipment delays, supplier issues, automation defects, material shortages, construction constraints, and people readiness on launch timing.
Communication skill: Communicate quickly and clearly across functions so stakeholders understand progress, risks, budget status, tradeoffs, decisions needed, and consequences of delay.
Accountability: Own overall launch outcomes while separating fault from responsibility and driving recovery when issues emerge.

Nice To Haves

PMP certification or equivalent practical project management experience or willingness to obtain a PMP.
Experience leading NPI launches, greenfield or brownfield manufacturing start-ups, production transfers, line relocations, or major equipment and automation implementations.
Experience with manufacturing of engineered electrical equipment, power distribution, protection, control, or critical power solutions.
Experience with factory acceptance testing, site acceptance testing, commissioning, qualification, production validation, and ramp-up governance.
Strong understanding of how equipment capability, automation reliability, material flow, quality controls, staffing, and training affect launch performance.

Responsibilities

Lead the overall NPI launch project plan (when applicable), including scope, schedule, budget, milestones, decisions, risks, and issue management.
Coordinate multiple internal and external parties across R&D, product development, manufacturing engineering, automation engineering, equipment suppliers, purchasing, operations, quality, EHS, facilities, maintenance, logistics, materials, finance, and HR.
Build and maintain the integrated project timeline from product design maturity through process design, equipment specification, supplier selection, procurement, FAT/SAT, installation, commissioning, validation, production launch, and stable ramp-up.
Drive alignment between product requirements, manufacturing process requirements, equipment capability, tooling needs, automation concepts, material flow, quality controls, and production staffing needs.
Support equipment sourcing and procurement activities, including scope definition, supplier coordination, delivery tracking, budget follow-up, and raise concerns of schedule or cost risks.
Coordinate day-to-day project execution meetings, milestone reviews, launch readiness meetings, decision logs, risk reviews, and action item follow-up.
Provide clear project reporting to collaborators, including timeline status, open decisions, budget status, risk exposure, mitigation plans, and recovery actions.
Serve as the escalation point for complex cross-functional issues that affect launch timing, equipment readiness, product readiness, materials availability, quality readiness, or ramp-up performance.
Partner with operations leaders to define production ramp-up plans, staffing and training needs, shift readiness, standard work, support structure, and handover requirements.
Support materials readiness, including supplier launch plans, inventory strategy, inbound logistics, packaging, storage, kitting, line-side presentation, and critical issues.
Coordinate commissioning and production validation activities to ensure equipment, automation, process controls, people readiness, and material readiness converge before launch.
Launch production and shipment of first units and ensure a smooth handover to the operations team.
Develop and maintain risk mitigation plans using lessons learned, practical manufacturing experience, and structured project management methods.
Use critical thinking to tackle high-impact, sophisticated, multi-functional problems and protect project deliverables.
Align with Siemens policies, procedures, safety expectations, and financial controls throughout the project.