Automation Project Manager
Posted Jul 2, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026
Likely interview questions for this role
Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.
About your past
Walk me through one automation project you managed from scope and estimate to closeout.
What they are checking: Whether they have truly owned budget, scope and schedule end to end, as the role requires.
What does following a group's best practices mean to you, and when have you pushed to change one?
What they are checking: Whether they work within standard processes while still improving them for good reasons.
Tell me about a time you had to lead a cross-functional team that didn't report to you.
What they are checking: Whether they can lead engineers, programmers and field techs through influence and clear direction.
What would you do
Halfway through a project, the customer asks for new functionality that wasn't in the scope. What do you do?
What they are checking: Whether they manage change orders firmly while keeping the customer relationship strong.
Your PLC programmer is behind and commissioning is two weeks out. How do you handle it?
What they are checking: Whether they can find real options for recovering schedule instead of just pushing people harder.
This job involves up to 30 percent travel nationwide. How have you managed projects at customer sites far from home?
What they are checking: Whether they can lead remote sites well and have realistic expectations about travel.
About the work
Tell me about the automation control systems you've designed. Were they industrial, building or power and energy systems?
What they are checking: Whether their eight years of design work is deep enough to be the technical lead on the solution.
How do you define scope and requirements with a customer so the estimate holds up later?
What they are checking: Whether they pin down requirements early to avoid costly surprises during execution.
If you've worked with distributed energy resources, how would you approach controls for a site with solar, batteries and a generator?
What they are checking: Whether they understand the coordination and protection challenges in multi-source power systems.
How do you plan and run a factory acceptance test and a site acceptance test?
What they are checking: Whether they know how to prove a system works before and after it ships.
How do you track project financials so you know early if margin is slipping?
What they are checking: Whether they monitor cost and earned value regularly rather than finding problems at the end.
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Practice this out loudThe full job description
As published by Faith Technologies.