Pre-Construction Project Manager

AES Corporation; New York (NY); On-site; USD 119,000 - 148,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Annual bonus

Medical, dental, and vision coverage

Job summary

AES Corporation is seeking a Senior Preconstruction Project Manager to guide utility-scale renewable energy projects from early development to construction readiness. You will align scope, schedule, and cost with Development, Engineering, Estimating, Procurement, and external EPCs.

Lead risk management, bid evaluations, and cost validation while ensuring safe, compliant execution. Strong collaboration across functions is essential for delivering large-scale energy projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or related field.
• Significant experience in renewable energy project development, preconstruction, estimating, procurement, or project management.
• Understanding of utility-scale project lifecycle including permitting, interconnection, EPC, and construction.
• Experience supporting EPC solicitations, bid evaluations, and cost/ risk reviews.
• Knowledge of solar PV and battery energy storage systems is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Lead preconstruction activities and establish scope, schedule, and risks.
• Coordinate with Development, Estimating, Procurement, and Construction teams.
• Develop and review EPC proposals, bids, and contract terms.
• Provide executive-ready reporting on milestones and dependencies.
• Mentor teammates and drive process improvements across preconstruction and procurement.

Skills

Project leadership

Risk management

Cross-functional collaboration

Procurement strategies

Cost estimating

Schedule management

Stakeholder communication

Technical understanding (PV/ battery)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/Construction Management/PM

Tools

Procore

Primavera P6

Excel/PowerPoint

Microsoft Project

Bluebeam

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries. AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices. Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry. If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it.

Senior Preconstruction Project Manager Position Summary

Join a team shaping the future of clean energy. The Senior Preconstruction Project Manager leads preconstruction activities for utility-scale renewable energy projects from early-stage development through execution readiness and EPC agreement completion. This highly visible role partners across Development, Development Engineering, Estimating, Procurement, Construction, Finance, and external EPC contractors to establish executable scope, cost, schedule, procurement, and risk strategies. As a trusted project leader, you will help drive investment-quality decisions, strengthen cross-functional alignment, and ensure a seamless transition from development into construction execution. This position offers the opportunity to influence large-scale renewable energy projects, collaborate with experienced industry professionals, and contribute to the growth of a more sustainable future. We welcome candidates from diverse backgrounds and experiences who are passionate about renewable energy, problem-solving, and delivering successful project outcomes.

Main Responsibilities

• Project Development and Risk Management – Lead preconstruction engagement for assigned projects and establish alignment on scope, schedule, deliverables, risks, and execution strategy. Assess project maturity across permitting, entitlements, site control, interconnection, design, procurement, logistics, and constructability to support informed decision-making. Proactively identify project risks and opportunities, develop mitigation strategies with cross-functional partners, and communicate impacts and recommendations clearly and effectively. Provide consistent project tracking and executive-ready reporting on milestones, priorities, workload, and key dependencies. Support M&A due diligence, opportunity assessments, and red-flag memoranda for potential projects and acquisitions. Contribute to continuous improvement by identifying lessons learned and best practices that enhance project performance and scalability.
• Engineering, Estimating, and Schedule Integration – Review design information for constructability, operational considerations, and readiness before estimating and procurement activities. Partner with Development Engineering and interconnection stakeholders to understand high-voltage scope, utility requirements, and related schedule impacts. Collaborate with Estimating to validate capital cost assumptions, reconcile EPC pricing with internal estimates, and identify opportunities to improve cost accuracy and project value. Develop and maintain integrated development and construction schedules that incorporate design, utility, permitting, equipment delivery, logistics, and targeted commercial operation date milestones. Apply a strong understanding of project sequencing to anticipate constraints, evaluate alternatives, and recommend practical solutions that support project success.
• EPC Procurement and Commercial Management – Develop and execute EPC engagement and solicitation strategies in partnership with the Execution Strategy, Construction, Engineering, and Procurement teams. Prepare and issue EPC RFP packages through Procore, manage bidder communications and RFIs, and drive complete and compliant responses. Analyze EPC proposals, facilitate cross-functional bid reviews, and prepare clear bid summaries and selection recommendations. Support EPC contract negotiations and ensure alignment among RFP requirements, bid assumptions, commercial terms, project risks, and execution plans. Manage the EPC target-price process, including labor, materials, direct and indirect costs, domestic content considerations, and prevailing wage and apprenticeship requirements. Monitor relevant equipment technology, approved vendor requirements, commodity pricing, availability, and supply-chain considerations that may affect project cost or schedule. Help identify innovative procurement and commercial strategies that enhance project value and competitiveness.
• Stakeholder and Contractor Leadership – Build trusted relationships with EPC contractors and strategic partners to support reliable delivery of regional project portfolios. Influence decisions across a matrixed organization and facilitate timely alignment among Development, Engineering, Construction, Procurement, Estimating, and Finance stakeholders. Provide execution-ready bid and project information to Construction Project Managers to support an effective handoff into execution. Drive standardization, continuous improvement, and scalability across preconstruction, bidding, contracting, and reporting processes. Promote a culture of safety, integrity, accountability, inclusion, collaboration, and disciplined decision-making in all internal and external interactions. Mentor and share knowledge with colleagues, helping strengthen team capabilities and organizational excellence.

Qualifications

• Minimum Qualifications – Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or a related discipline required.
• Significant professional experience in renewable energy project development, preconstruction, estimating, engineering, procurement, construction, or project management.
• Candidates with an equivalent combination of education and experience are encouraged to apply.
• Demonstrated understanding of the utility-scale project lifecycle, including feasibility, permitting, entitlements, design, interconnection, procurement, EPC contracting, and construction execution.
• Experience supporting EPC solicitations, bid evaluations, commercial negotiations, cost reviews, and project risk assessments.
• Strong working knowledge of utility-scale solar photovoltaic and battery energy storage systems, including major equipment and applicable technical considerations.
• Ability to develop and interpret project schedules, cost estimates, bid comparisons, risk registers, and executive-level project reporting.
• Excellent written, verbal, presentation, organizational, and stakeholder management skills, with the ability to thrive in dynamic and time-sensitive environments.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Teams, Excel, PowerPoint, Primavera P6, Procore, Quickbase, Microsoft Project, and Bluebeam, or comparable tools.
• Preferred Qualifications – Experience working across a portfolio of utility-scale renewable energy projects in a matrixed organization.
• Experience with domestic content requirements and prevailing wage and apprenticeship considerations.
• Experience leading project teams, mentoring colleagues, or guiding cross-functional initiatives.
• Demonstrated ability to improve preconstruction, procurement, contracting, or project-controls processes.

Equal Employment Opportunity / Diversity

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law.

Legal and Employment Information

E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $118,500 and $148,325/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience.

The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus.

The benefits offered for this position are: medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) eligibility, and paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment.

If hired, employee will be in an “at-will position” and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.

Accelerating the future of energy, together Our people are our energy and have transformed AES into the type of energy company that the world needs today and in the future. Coming from all walks of life, our people share a passion for improving lives by advancing the energy sector through innovation, collaboration and action. We are working in an industry that requires new thinking and ways of working together to create solutions that are both economically and environmentally viable, not just one or the other. We are looking for passionate people to join us in our mission to accelerate the future of energy.

Are you ready to join us?