Project Engineer III
United States Steel
We are seeking a results-driven Electrical & Controls Project Manager to lead the delivery of electrical, automation, and process control projects within our steel manufacturing operations. This role demands deep technical expertise in electrical engineering, industrial automation, and process control combined with strong leadership and project management skills. The candidate will ensure all designs meet applicable industry codes and USS engineering standards, manage both standalone controls/electrical projects and E&C scopes within larger capital investments, and lead diverse teams of internal personnel—process control, IT, and networking—alongside external contractors, OEMs, and system integrators.Key Responsibilities
Project Leadership & Planning
- Champion a Safety First culture across all project phases—planning, design, execution, and commissioning.
- Lead electrical, automation, and process control capital projects from feasibility through closeout, ensuring alignment with business objectives, budgets, schedules, and USS engineering standards.
- Manage both standalone E&C projects and electrical/automation scopes within larger capital investments (e.g., new processing lines, rolling mill upgrades).
- Form and lead cross-functional teams including internal process control, IT, and networking personnel as well as automation contractors, OEMs, and electrical contractors.
- Develop scopes of work, cost/benefit analyses, and capital appropriation requests; present to plant and corporate management.
- Provide technical leadership in electrical engineering, industrial automation, PLC/DCS/SCADA systems, HMI platforms, MCCs, VFDs, and instrumentation design and implementation.
- Direct and approve electrical designs, control system architectures, specifications, and drawings—ensuring strict compliance with NEC, NFPA 70E, IEC 61511/62443, and USS engineering and design standards.
- Lead AI implementation initiatives on process control and automation projects; drive design-for-AI-capability to ensure systems are architected to support machine learning, predictive analytics, and intelligent process optimization.
- Manage OEM and contractor deliverables including functional design specs, software development, FAT, and SAT.
- Incorporate cybersecurity, network segmentation, and IT/OT integration requirements into control system designs per USS and industry standards.
- Contractor, Vendor & Stakeholder Management
- Manage external automation and electrical contractors, OEMs, system integrators, and engineering firms through all project phases, including scope definition, hold points, inspection, and acceptance.
- Coordinate internal process control, IT, and plant networking teams to ensure seamless integration with existing plant infrastructure.
- Engage stakeholders across operations, maintenance, procurement, finance, and EHS to align on objectives, priorities, and execution strategies.
- Manage project risks, monitor equipment delivery schedules, and oversee commissioning, start-up, and acceptance testing of electrical and control systems, including operator and maintenance training.
- Execute projects on brownfield sites within active steel facilities with minimal production impact.
- Develop and maintain detailed project schedules (MS Project, Primavera); track costs, control budgets, and manage scope change.
- Develop and implement project safety plans with emphasis on electrical safety, arc flash mitigation, and LOTO procedures.
Required:
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Engineering, or closely related discipline.
- 7–10 years of project management experience in industrial electrical, automation, and process control, preferably in steel or heavy industrial manufacturing.
- Proven expertise with PLC/DCS/SCADA systems, HMI platforms, MCCs, VFDs, and industrial instrumentation.
- Demonstrated experience managing external contractors, OEMs, and system integrators alongside internal IT and networking teams.
- Knowledge of NEC, NFPA 70E, and IEC 61511/62443 standards; familiarity with USS engineering design standards (or equivalent corporate standards in steel/heavy industry).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and multi-project management skills.
- Steel industry or heavy metals manufacturing experience strongly preferred.
- Exposure to AI/ML applications in industrial automation, predictive maintenance, or process optimization.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD Electrical, EPLAN, MS Project, or Primavera.
- NFPA 70E Arc Flash, OSHA 10/30-Hour, and/or PMP certification.
- Experience with Lean Manufacturing or Six Sigma methodologies.
- Competitive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
- Opportunity to lead high-impact automation and electrical capital projects in a dynamic steel manufacturing environment.
- Professional growth and advancement within a collaborative engineering organization.