Data Center Project Manager

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) plan

Life insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Data Center Power Infrastructure Project Manager in Richmond, VA, to lead the engineering scope, schedule, and budget for greenfield, brownfield, and retrofit data center power projects. The role oversees internal and external resources delivering utility power solutions through design and construction.

The position requires strong PM and leadership skills, plus experience with substations and data center power systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or related field; 10+ years in substation design/delivery preferred.
• 10+ years experience in consulting engineering or substation construction.
• 5+ years leading engineers, design managers, or PMs for transmission/substation.
• 5+ years data center engineering/construction experience.
• Strong PM skills; ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.

Responsibilities

• Oversee lifecycle of data center power infrastructure projects from concept through turnover to operations.
• Lead design development, construction, and commissioning activities.
• Coordinate multiple distribution, substation, and transmission projects across sites.
• Engage utility engineers and vendors to meet technical and business goals.
• Maintain project documentation, risk tracking, and milestone management.
• Ensure quality across engineering and construction deliverables.

Skills

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Project management

Substation design

Data center power engineering

Leadership

Communication

Reading one-line diagrams

P6 scheduling

Team coordination

Quality management

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering

PE credential (a plus)

Tools

MS Project

GIS

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: Data Center Power Infrastructure Project Manager

Job Description

The Data Center Power Infrastructure Project Manager oversees the engineering scope, schedule, and budget for greenfield, brownfield, and retrofit data center power infrastructure projects. This role manages internal and external resources to deliver complete utility power solutions that support a data center capacity roadmap, from early concept and design through construction and turnover to operations. The position is based in Richmond, VA in a hybrid work arrangement and focuses on leading multiple concurrent distribution, substation, and transmission projects that enable reliable high-voltage and medium-voltage power delivery to data center facilities.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of data center power infrastructure projects, including greenfield, brownfield, and retrofit initiatives, ensuring alignment with defined scope, schedule, and budget.
• Lead the facilitation and delivery of industry-leading data center utility power infrastructure from pre-programming through design development, construction, and turnover to operations.
• Coordinate and oversee multiple, concurrent distribution, substation, and transmission projects that support data center solutions and capacity requirements.
• Provide infrastructure coordination, project management, and overall leadership for all aspects of data center power infrastructure delivery.
• Engage and manage multiple utility provider teams of engineers and designers to deliver projects in line with technical requirements and business objectives.
• Collaborate with key internal stakeholder groups and external vendors specializing in data center architecture and engineering to ensure integrated solutions.
• Lead and participate in meetings with power utilities and project stakeholders to coordinate high-voltage and medium-voltage power delivery at multiple sites.
• Organize and chair various project meetings, ensuring clear agendas, action items, and follow-up to drive progress and resolve issues.
• Review and interpret substation one-line diagrams to validate design, ensure constructability, and support decision-making.
• Read and work with P6 project schedules to track progress, identify risks, and adjust plans as necessary to meet milestones.
• Document meeting minutes and notes accurately, capturing decisions, risks, and action items for the project team.
• Ensure quality of work across engineering and construction deliverables, adhering to standards and performance metrics.
• Lead teams of engineers in advanced engineering and operational processes and procedures related to large data center environments.
• Collaborate effectively with technical and non-technical groups in a fast-paced environment, maintaining professionalism and an even temperament.
• Support the development and implementation of new technologies and advanced concepts in data center power infrastructure.
• Maintain clear written and verbal communication with stakeholders, providing regular updates on project status, risks, and mitigation plans.
• Promote a culture of integrity, methodical work practices, attention to detail, and strong work ethic within the project team.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related field, or at least 10 years of experience in substation design and/or delivery.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in consulting engineering or construction of substations.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience as a lead engineer, design manager, or project manager for transmission or substation projects.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience with data center engineering or construction.
• Strong project management skills with demonstrated ability to manage multiple concurrent projects.
• High level of proficiency in transmission and substation design and construction.
• Ability to lead teams of engineers in advanced engineering and operational processes in large data center environments.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills for effective interaction with stakeholders and project teams.
• Strong organization and leadership skills, with the ability to coordinate internal and external resources.
• Ability to work effectively with both technical and non-technical groups in a fast-paced environment.
• Demonstrated integrity, methodical approach, attention to detail, and strong work ethic.
• Ability to read and interpret substation one-line diagrams.
• Ability to read and work with P6 project schedules.
• Ability to accurately take and document meeting minutes and notes.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Electrical Engineer / Professional Engineer (PE) credential is a plus.
• Electrical engineering, project management, and substation or transmission line design.
• Experience coordinating high-voltage and medium-voltage power delivery across multiple sites.
• Proficiency with MS Operating System (version 10 or higher).
• Proficiency with MS Office Suite, including Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Ability to use GIS maps and related tools to support planning and coordination of power infrastructure.
• Strong interpersonal skills to engage effectively with utility providers, vendors, and internal stakeholders.
• Consistent performance in delivering high-quality work and meeting established performance metrics.

Work Environment

This role is based in Richmond, VA with a hybrid work arrangement, combining office-based and remote work while supporting data center sites on the East Coast. The position involves regular collaboration with an East Coast power delivery team, participation in virtual and in-person meetings with power utilities and project stakeholders, and coordination of high-voltage and medium-voltage power delivery at multiple locations. The work environment is fast-paced and highly technical, centered around large-scale data center infrastructure projects. The supplier will provide a computer and all necessary software, applications, tools, and materials required to perform the services, including MS Operating System (version 10 or higher), MS Office Suite (Outlook, Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Project), and access to GIS maps. On-site work at data center or utility locations requires adherence to strict safety standards and use of specific personal protective equipment, including a monitor, keyboard, headset, mouse, Class 2 safety helmet, Class 2 or higher safety vest, cut and impact resistant gloves, ANSI Z87.1 or higher safety glasses or visor, composite toe work boots made of leather or leather alternative that extend at least 4 inches above the ankle (no low-cut or sneaker style), and a Class 2 or higher reflective jacket suitable for cold and wet weather. The standard workload is approximately 40 hours per week, with occasional travel and expenses as needed to support project activities.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Sandston, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $80.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Sandston,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 30, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:

Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):

We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process,including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.