Critical Power Strategy Project Manager

Volkswagen Group; United States; On-site; USD 80,000 - 146,000; Full time

Job summary

Electrify America is seeking a Critical Power Strategy Manager to lead commissioning efforts across the organization’s critical power and EV charging infrastructure. You will work with NOC, Engineering, OEMs, and field teams to validate readiness, drive energization, and resolve blockers while ensuring safety and reliability.

The role requires 5+ years of experience in electrical systems and a Bachelor's in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or equivalent.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of relevant experience in electrical systems.
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or equivalent experience.
• Experience with commissioning, energization, and restoration activities.
• Strong problem-solving and communication skills.
• Safety certifications such as NFPA70E are a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead or support commissioning activities and resolve blockers.
• Review field data to validate scope and drive energization.
• Provide technical guidance to field teams and vendors.
• Develop scalable processes, standards, and training.
• Collaborate with NOC, Engineering, OEMs, and construction teams.
• Support PRT for complex restoration issues.

Skills

Electrical theory

EV charging equipment

Troubleshooting

Root cause analysis

Leadership

Commissioning

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)

Job description

Qualification requirements

Electrify America is committed to revolutionizing the way people charge. As the country's largest open DC fast charging network, Electrify America is actively contributing to electrifying mobility today and building a more sustainable future. At Electrify America, we value innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to sustainability. We strive to establish a diverse and inclusive workplace where employees can develop personally and professionally. As a team member at this rapidly growing company, you can work on state‑of‑the‑art technology and join a team making a significant impact in the world. If you're interested in joining a dynamic, innovative company, Electrify America is a place where you can learn, grow, and make a difference!

Brief Role Description

The Critical Power Strategy Mgr serves as a strategic and technical leader with primary responsibility for supporting Commissioning across the organization’s critical power and EV charging infrastructure. The role combines process and program strategy with hands‑on technical support, helping Commissioning and field teams evaluate complex equipment and electrical issues, validate site readiness, resolve commissioning blockers, determine scope, and drive sites through successful energization and commissioning. This role acts as a key technical bridge between Commissioning, the NOC, Engineering, equipment manufacturers/OEMs, vendors, and field service teams. The position reviews field findings, test results, alarms, FSRs, equipment history, and technical documentation; supports troubleshooting and root cause analysis; and translates findings into clear scopes, work plans, escalation paths, and field guidance. The role also provides secondary technical support to the Power Restoration Team (PRT) for complex or escalated restoration issues where additional technical expertise is needed. The Critical Power Strategy Mgr develops scalable processes, technical standards, tools, training, and reporting that improve commissioning readiness, execution, equipment reliability, and cross‑functional handoffs. The role also supports critical power campaigns, site swaps, decommissioning initiatives, and PRT technical needs while maintaining a strong focus on safety, operational impact, cost, and long‑term network reliability.

Possible Tasks within this Role

• Serve as a primary technical resource for Commissioning, supporting complex site and equipment issues from readiness review through successful commissioning.
• Review work requests, FSRs, photos, test results, alarms, error codes, site history, and equipment documentation to validate scope and identify missing information before field execution.
• Provide technical direction for commissioning blockers, energization issues, equipment failures, power‑path faults, switchgear issues, and other conditions impacting site readiness.
• Determine required expertise, tooling, testing, parts, OEM/vendor involvement, and field resources before deployment.
• Support field teams during complex troubleshooting and evacuate to Engineering or OEMs when additional technical authority is required.
• Drive clear technical handoffs between Commissioning, NOC, Engineering, OEMs, Construction, and field service teams.

Technical Troubleshooting, RCA & Equipment Support – 25%

• Lead or support technical investigations and root cause analysis for critical, repeat, or difficult‑to‑diagnose equipment and electrical failures.
• Analyze equipment faults and field data to identify failure trends and recommend corrective or preventive actions.
• Partner with equipment manufacturers/OEMs and Engineering on troubleshooting procedures, known equipment issues, repair guidance, and corrective actions.
• Translate technical findings into clear scopes of work, troubleshooting steps, and actionable field guidance.

Process, standards & Strategic Program Support – 20%

• Develop and continuously improve Commissioning processes, standards, workflows, handoffs, technical tools, and documentation requirements.
• Support critical power campaigns, site swaps, decommissioning initiatives, and other strategic programs requiring technical field coordination.
• Establish KPIs and reporting to identify recurring commissioning blockers, equipment trends, process gaps, and opportunities to improve execution.
• Develop training materials and facilitate knowledge sharing across Commissioning, NOC, Engineering, and field teams.

PRT Technical Support – 10%

• Provide secondary technical support to PRT for complex or escalated power‑restoration issues requiring additional electrical, equipment, OEM, or field troubleshooting expertise.
• Review technical findings, test results, FSRs, site history, and proposed restoration scopes when requested to help validate the appropriate corrective action.
• Support PRT with OEM/Engineering escalation, repair‑versus‑replacement evaluation, specialized troubleshooting, and technical lessons learned from significant or repeat events.
• Ensure relevant commissioning and equipment knowledge is shared with PRT to improve restoration efficiency and reduce repeat failures.

Years Of Relevant Experience

• 5+ years of relevant experience

Education - Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or 5+ years of experience

Education - Desired

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)

Skills

• Electrical & EV Charging Aptitude – working knowledge of electrical theory, schematics/SLDs, electrical testing, EV charging equipment, switchgear, and safe work practices.
• Technical Support & Troubleshooting – provide advanced technical guidance for Commissioning activities, site readiness, energization, equipment faults, alarms, electrical failures, and field diagnostics; provide secondary technical support to PRT for complex restoration issues as needed.
• Communication – communicate complex technical information clearly to FSEs, NOC, Engineering, OEMs, vendors, and leadership.
• Problem‑Solving & Root Cause Analysis – quickly assess field conditions, identify root causes, and develop practical corrective actions.
• Leadership & Mentoring – serve as a primary technical resource and mentor to Commissioning field teams, with additional support to PRT when specialized technical assistance is required.
• Process & Resource Management – develop repeatable technical processes, prioritize escalations, and coordinate resources to support site readiness and restoration.

Specialized Skills - Required

• Technical understanding of EV charging equipment, electrical distribution systems, switchgear, and associated power infrastructure.
• Electrical system troubleshooting, testing, and repair.
• Experience supporting commissioning, energization, corrective maintenance, or power‑restoration activities.
• Ability to review field documentation, test results, FSRs, alarms, and equipment data and translate findings into a defined scope and next steps.
• Development and implementation of technical procedures, troubleshooting guidance, and training materials.
• Strong time management and multitasking abilities.

Specialized Skills - Desired

• NFPA70E, OSHA30 or other relevant safety certifications in good standing.
• OEM/manufacturer training or experience with DC fast charging equipment.
• Switchgear/power‑system testing and repair experience.
• Commissioning and field‑service experience.
• Other relevant electrical certifications.
• Other relevant electrical certifications

Work Flexibility

• Travel is required as needed to support team initiatives, resolve critical business issues, and perform essential job responsibilities in person.
• Ability and willingness to travel approximately ~40% of the time is required.
• Must be available to work outside of normal business hours when necessary to support business operations, address urgent matters, or meet critical deadlines.

Electrify America, LLC is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We welcome and encourage applicants from all backgrounds, and do not discriminate based on race, sex, age, disability, sexual orientation, national origin, religion, color, gender identity/expression, marital status, veteran status, or any other characteristics protected by applicable laws.

This role description is a guideline and does not create contractual rights between the Company and any of its applicants. The Company does not enter into any type of employment contract, implied or written, with its applicants regarding job security.

This Organization participates in E-Verify. We maintain a drug free workplace and perform pre‑employment substance abuse testing.

Electrify America endeavors to make www.electrifyamerica.com/careers accessible to all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process, please contact us at [e-mail]. This contact information is for accommodation requests only and cannot be used to inquire about the status of applications.

Salary range is dependent on factors such as geographical differentials, industry‑based experience, skills, training, credentials, and other qualifications.

In the state of California, the salary range is $80,400 – $146,400.

In the state of Colorado, the salary range is $80,400 – $123,900.

In the state of Washington, the salary range is $80,400 - $128,400.

In New York City, the salary range is $104,600 – $146,400.

In Westchester County, the salary range is $91,700 – $146,400 .

In the state of Rhode Island, the salary range is $80,400 – 123,900.