Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Project Manager (Assc - Prin) - Corpus Christi, TX

AEP; Corpus Christi (TX); On-site; USD 80,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER is seeking a DER Project Manager (Assc - Prin) for Corpus Christi, TX. The role oversees a portfolio of DER projects from initiation through commissioning and closeout, including battery storage, solar, and other distributed generation assets connected to the electric distribution system.

The position emphasizes safety, schedule adherence, budget compliance, and collaboration with internal teams, customers, developers, and regulators to deliver projects on time and within

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in related field with appropriate experience per business unit.
• PMP certification is preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

• Manage multiple DER projects through full lifecycle, from initiation to closeout.
• Develop schedules, budgets, forecasts, and resource plans.
• Coordinate engineering, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout.
• Monitor performance and mitigate schedule, cost, and scope impacts.
• Ensure deliverables meet quality, safety, and operational requirements.
• Serve as primary interface with customers, developers, and regulators.

Skills

Project management

Stakeholder management

Financial management

Risk management

Regulatory compliance

Scheduling / planning

Education

Bachelor's degree in Construction Management

PMP certification

Job description

Distributed Energy Resources (DER) Project Manager (Assc - Prin) - Corpus Christi, TX

Location: Corpus Christi, TX

Category : Project Management/Controls

Job Summary

The DER Project Manager is responsible for managing a portfolio of Distributed Energy Resource (DER) projects from initiation through commissioning and closeout. This role oversees customer-driven generation interconnection projects including battery energy storage systems (BESS), solar generation, renewable energy facilities, and other distributed generation assets connected to the electric distribution system.

The DER Project Manager serves as the primary point of contact for internal stakeholders, customers, developers, engineering teams, contractors, and regulatory organizations to ensure projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with utility standards.

Job Description

**This position is posted in a range; Pay, title and grade will be based on the qualifications of the individual selected**

What You'll Do:

Project Management

• Manage multiple DER projects simultaneously throughout the entire project lifecycle.
• Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, forecasts, and resource plans.
• Coordinate engineering, design, procurement, construction, commissioning, and closeout activities.
• Monitor project performance and take corrective action to mitigate schedule, cost, and scope impacts.
• Ensure all project deliverables meet quality, safety, and operational requirements.

Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary interface between customers, developers, consultants, contractors, and internal utility organizations.
• Facilitate regular project status meetings and communicate project progress to stakeholders.
• Manage customer expectations regarding project scope, schedule, budget, and interconnection requirements.
• Coordinate with Distribution Planning, Protection & Control, Telecommunications, Operations, Engineering, Supply Chain, and Construction teams.

Financial Management

• Develop and manage project budgets, forecasts, and expenditures.
• Track customer contributions such as CIAC (Contribution in Aid of Construction) and other project funding requirements.
• Monitor project financial performance and ensure compliance with company financial controls.
• Support annual capital planning and portfolio budgeting activities.

Risk and Issue Management

• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues.
• Maintain project risk registers and develop mitigation strategies.
• Escalate critical project concerns and recommend solutions.
• Lead resolution efforts for schedule delays, design conflicts, procurement constraints, and construction challenges.

Regulatory and Compliance

• Ensure compliance with utility standards, interconnection requirements, environmental regulations, and applicable industry codes.
• Support regulatory reporting and documentation requirements.
• Maintain project records and ensure adherence to company governance processes.

Commissioning and Closeout

• Coordinate testing, commissioning, and energization activities.
• Ensure all operational, engineering, and safety requirements are satisfied prior to project turnover.
• Manage punch-list completion and project closeout documentation.
• Capture lessons learned and implement continuous improvement initiatives.

What You'll Have:

• Bachelor's degree in construction management, Engineering, Business, Project Management, Computer Science, or related field of study dependent upon business unit requirements with no experience (0 years),
• two-year associate degree in the same required disciplines with two (2) years of qualified experience, or
• High School Diploma/GED with four (4) years qualified experience (see below).

Qualified experience includes outage management activities, business/financial administration, major construction field experience, project estimating, project controls, project engineering, and/or comparable internal or external experience in a competitive production environment. Knowledge in construction safety, negotiations, scope development and control, cost estimating, construction contracting, project controls and reporting, and quality control would be beneficial. Experience in utilities, commercial nuclear power, and/or IT systems is favorable.

• PMP certification is preferred but not required.
• Valid state driver's license is required.

What You'll Get:

At AEP, we’re more than just an energy company — we’re a team of dedicated professionals committed to delivering safe, reliable, and innovative energy solutions. Guided by our mission to put the customer first, we strive to exceed expectations by listening, responding, and continuously improving the way we serve our communities. If you're passionate about making a meaningful impact and being part of a forward-thinking organization, this is the company for you!

AMERICAN ELECTRIC POWER (on-site)

$80k - $130k/ Year

Compensation

$74,551.00 - $177,503.00

Physical Demands

The Physical Demand Level for this job is: L – Light Work: Exerting up to 20 pounds of force occasionally and/or 10 to 12 pounds of force frequently, and/or greater than negligible up to 5-6 pounds of force constantly to move objects. Physical demand requirements are in excess of those for sedentary work. Even though the weight lifted may be only a negligible amount, a job should be rated Light Work: (1) When it requires walking or standing to a significant degree; or (2) when it requires sitting most of the time, but entails pushing and/or pulling of arm or leg c ontrols; and/or (3) when the job requires working at a production rate pace entailing the constant pushing and/or pulling of materials even though the weight of those materials is negligible. NOTE: The constant stress and strain of maintaining a production rate pace, especially in an industrial setting, can be and is physically demanding of a worker even though the amount of force exerted is negligible.

Equal Employment Opportunity

It is hereby reaffirmed that it is the policy of American Electric Power (AEP) to provide Equal Employment Opportunity in all respects of the employer-employee relationship including recruiting, hiring, upgrading and promotion, conditions and privileges of employment, company sponsored training programs, educational assistance, social and recreational programs, compensation, benefits, transfers, discipline, layoffs and termination of employment to all employees and applicants without discrimination because of race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, gender identity, and sexual orientation), national origin, age, veteran or military status, disability, genetic information, or any other basis prohibited by applicable law. When required by law, we might record certain information or applicants for employment may be invited to voluntarily disclose protected characteristics.

“Knowing that I am part of team that is making the power grid safer and more reliable gives me a real sense of responsibility and enthusiasm for coming to work every day.”

Responsible for performing highly technical estimates for Transmission line and substation projects, including very complex projects, in a safe, efficient and economical manner. This position is responsible for complying with defined project scoping and estimating procedures; gathering and integrating estimate and cost information to build & update master estimating cost models and databases; developing criteria for estimation and use of project and portfolio contingency; working with project stakeholders (i.e. project management, engineering, planning, construction, contractors, etc.) to develop, implement and continuously improve scoping and estimating processes; and mentoring and training less experienced Project Estimators.

This role will be responsible for coordinating team activities and supporting the Project Managers (PMs). With minimal supervision, perform role as scheduler and/or commodity tracker for major projects. Support the development and analysis of a wide range of scope of work types, especially complex schedules using the assigned system. Must be self-motivated, an excellent communicator, and team focused individual able to demonstrate competency in scheduling techniques and analyses on all scope of work aspects. Additional duties include schedule maintenance, collecting progress data, developing and implementing scope of work schedule/status reports, and providing consistent, accurate information to the senior management team. The candidate must be able to interface with site execution teams, contractors, and AEP senior management. **Please Note: This position is 100% onsite in Columbus, OH. You must be able to work onsite 5 days a week and relocate yourself if you don't already live at a commutable distance.

Manage multiple projects or programs at the highest level of complexity within a matrix team environment. Provide leadership, direction, training, coordination, and effective communication to initiate , plan, execute, monitor and control, and close projects in a safe, efficient, economical, risk-balanced approach to achieve short- and long-range goals and to obtain maximum customer satisfaction. Provide project transparency and develop relationships and effectively communicate with all stakeholders including internal customers, external customers, team members, suppliers, contractors, vendors, and industry peers, enabling them to make sound business decisions.

AEP offers generous time off, competitive pay, and educational opportunities to help employees advance their careers.

Our culture is purpose-driven and team-oriented: we combine innovation with a customer-first focus to deliver reliable energy and brighter futures.