Ports Electrification Lead

Mott MacDonald; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 169,000 - 207,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work schedule

401(k) with company match

Competitive health benefits

Professional development support

Job summary

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Project Manager - Ports Electrification to lead electrification programs across North America, with a West Coast focus. You will guide multi-disciplinary teams, shape client strategy, and help deliver decarbonization initiatives for ports, terminals, and maritime facilities.

The role combines technical leadership, business development, and program management, requiring 15+ years in electrical infrastructure and strong client relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 15+ years in electrical infrastructure, ports, or transportation electrification.
• Experience managing large, multidisciplinary infrastructure programs.
• Experience coordinating with electric utilities and client relationships.
• PE license or eligibility for reciprocity.

Responsibilities

• Lead major port and maritime electrification projects as project manager.
• Direct multidisciplinary teams including electrical, civil, environmental and construction management.
• Manage scope, budget, schedule, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Guide electrification strategies, roadmaps, and utility coordination.
• Support business development, capture plans, and client events.

Skills

Relationship management

Client development

Electrical infrastructure

Project leadership

Public speaking

Leadership

Team mentoring

Electrical systems knowledge

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

PE license or reciprocity

Job description

At Mott MacDonald, we are driven by purpose and powered by brilliant people. As a trusted engineering, management, and development consultancy, we work with clients to solve complex challenges and deliver sustainable outcomes that make a meaningful difference for the communities we serve.

When you join us as an experienced professional, you will bring your expertise to work that matters while continuing to grow your career. You will collaborate with talented colleagues across disciplines and geographies, contribute your perspective, and help shape better outcomes through technical excellence, innovation, and integrity.

Build on your experience while helping shape what comes next. At Mott MacDonald, you'll work alongside talented people on complex and rewarding projects that make a real difference. We value fresh perspectives, encourage collaboration, and provide opportunities to expand your skills, take on new challenges, and grow your career. Whether you're deepening your technical expertise, broadening your leadership experience, or exploring new opportunities across our business, you'll be supported by a team that is committed to helping you succeed.

Mott MacDonald is seeking a Principal Project Manager - Ports Electrification to help lead the growth of our ports, maritime, and transportation electrification practice across North America, with an initial focus on the West Coast.

This position is an opportunity to help shape the future of port infrastructure as marine terminals, ports, ferry systems, and freight operators transition toward cleaner, more resilient, and more electrified operations. The successful candidate will work directly with port authorities, terminal operators, utilities, public agencies, and private clients to develop and deliver complex infrastructure programs supporting decarbonization, shore power, terminal modernization, cargo-handling equipment electrification, charging infrastructure, and utility upgrades.

The ideal candidate is equally comfortable serving as a trusted client advisor, leading multidisciplinary project teams, developing business opportunities, and providing technical leadership on complex electrical infrastructure projects.

Primary Responsibilities

Project Leadership

• Serve as project manager for major port and maritime electrification projects.
• Lead multidisciplinary teams including electrical, civil, structural, environmental, systems, and construction management professionals.
• Manage project scope, budget, schedule, quality, and client satisfaction.
• Oversee planning, design, permitting, procurement, construction support, and commissioning activities.
• Support alternative delivery and progressive delivery projects.

Technical Leadership

• Advise clients on electrification strategies and implementation roadmaps.
• Lead development of electrical infrastructure solutions supporting:
  • Shore power systems
  • Terminal electrification
  • Cargo-handling equipment electrification
  • Truck charging infrastructure
  • Medium-voltage distribution systems
  • Utility interconnections
  • Resiliency and energy management solutions
• Provide guidance on utility coordination, power demand planning, and future expansion requirements.

Client and Business Development

• Build trusted relationships with ports, maritime operators, terminal tenants, utilities, and public agencies.
• Support strategic account growth initiatives across the ports and maritime sector.
• Lead capture planning, proposals, interviews, and business-development efforts.
• Collaborate with leadership to identify and pursue emerging electrification opportunities.
• Represent the firm at industry conferences, trade associations, and client events.

Practice Building

• Help establish and grow Mott MacDonald's electrification capabilities across the ports market.
• Mentor project managers, engineers, and technical specialists.
• Recruit and develop future electrification talent.
• Promote knowledge sharing and innovation across the organization.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• 15+ years of progressively responsible experience in electrical infrastructure, transportation electrification, ports, maritime facilities, utility infrastructure, or related markets.
• Demonstrated experience managing large, multidisciplinary infrastructure programs and projects.
• Experience with medium-voltage and low-voltage electrical systems.
• Experience coordinating directly with electric utilities.
• Proven ability to manage client relationships and develop business opportunities.
• Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain through reciprocity.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with port, terminal, waterfront, maritime, or ferry infrastructure.
• Experience with shore power systems.
• Experience with cargo terminal or container terminal modernization.
• Experience with fleet, vehicle, or equipment electrification programs.
• Experience with utility master planning and load analysis.
• Familiarity with grant-funded infrastructure programs.
• Experience supporting federal, state, or local public-sector clients.
• Existing relationships with West Coast ports, terminal operators, utilities, or transportation agencies.
• Experience leading seller-doer teams and mentoring technical staff.

Desired Experience

Candidates may have experience supporting clients such as:

• Port authorities
• Seaport operators
• Container terminals
• Cruise terminals
• Ferry operators
• Maritime transportation agencies
• Utility providers
• Freight and logistics operators

Experience on projects involving the following is particularly valuable

• Shore power implementation
• Terminal electrification programs
• Zero-emission infrastructure
• Utility upgrades
• Container yard power systems
• Charging infrastructure
• Sustainability and decarbonization initiatives
• Electrical master plans
• Program management and construction management

What Success Looks Like

Within the first year, this individual will:

• Become a trusted advisor to key port and maritime clients.
• Help expand Mott MacDonald's visibility in the electrification market.
• Lead pursuit and delivery of strategic electrification opportunities.
• Strengthen relationships with utilities, terminal operators, and ports.
• Help build a sustainable pipeline of port electrification work throughout the western United States.
• Serve as a mentor and leader for the next generation of electrification professionals.

Bring your expertise, curiosity, and drive to make a difference. If you are ready to join a collaborative consultancy where your perspective is valued, your growth is supported, and you are empowered to lead with integrity, we would love to hear from you.

Benefits & Rewards

The expected salary for this position in Los Angeles, CA is $169,000 - $207,000

The expected salary for this position in Seattle, WA is $185,000 - $226,000

Individual pay is determined based on several factors such as work location, education, experience, and unique skills.

In addition to base salary, Mott MacDonald offers performance-based bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package, giving employees a direct connection to our success.

Our comprehensive benefits package is designed to support the health, wellbeing, financial security, and professional growth of our employees. Eligible employees have access to medical, dental, and vision coverage, FSA and HSA accounts, company-paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability coverage, and a competitive 401(k) plan with company matching. We also provide paid time off, paid holidays, caregiver leave, employee referral bonuses, professional registration and membership reimbursements, and tuition assistance to support continued learning and career development.

Collaboration at Our Core

At Mott MacDonald, we believe great ideas happen when we're together. Our hybrid approach centers on an in-office culture, with most of your time spent collaborating face-to-face and a minimum of three days per week in the office. We balance flexibility with connection, so you and your manager can choose how to meet clients, team, and personal commitments.

Equal opportunity is the law

We seek to promote fair employment procedures and practices to ensure equal opportunities for all. We encourage individual expression in our workplace and are committed to creating an inclusive environment where everyone feels they have the opportunity to contribute.

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, age, protected veteran status, creed, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, citizenship status or disability status.