Project Manager

Mesa Associates, Inc.; Knoxville (TN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Mesa Associates, Inc. is seeking an experienced Project Manager with substation expertise to join our Power Delivery team in Knoxville, TN.

You will lead high-voltage substation projects, ensuring safety, quality, budget, and schedule objectives are met while maintaining client satisfaction. With our PSO support, you will guide multidisciplinary teams from initiation through closeout, coordinating design and construction activities, reporting progress, and managing risks across multiple

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in project management, engineering, construction management, or related field.
• Heavy industrial construction experience, preferably related to high voltage substations.
• Experience leading engineering/design projects.
• PMP preferred but not required.
• Strong understanding of PMI methodologies and processes.
• Experience managing power utility substation design projects.
• Ability to manage multiple projects or a program simultaneously.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and project scheduling software.
• Working knowledge of corporate accounting practices and business operations.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross-functional planning/engineering/construction teams in executing utility substation design & construction projects.
• Develop and manage key project planning documents (project execution plans, initiation docs, communication plans).
• Coordinate RFIs, meeting minutes, status reporting, and stakeholder engagement.
• Monitor and control project progress, scope, schedule, and budget; drive cost performance.
• Ensure adherence to Mesa and client processes and safety protocols.
• Partner with PMs, coordinators, schedulers, analysts, and controllers to forecast spending and accruals.
• Support program managers/directors in cost/schedule performance.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation plans; track and resolve issues.

Skills

Project Management

Microsoft Office

PMP

Education

Bachelor's degree (Engineering/Construction)

Tools

Primavera

Job description

Mesa Associates, Inc. is seeking an experienced Project Manager with substation expertise to join our Power Delivery team. This role is ideal for a driven leader who understands the technical and operational demands of utility substation planning, engineering & construction projects and can confidently guide multidisciplinary teams from project initiation through closeout.

You will lead high-voltage power delivery substation projects, ensuring safety, quality, budget, and schedule objectives are consistently achieved while maintaining exceptional client satisfaction. With the full support of our Project Support Office (PSO), you’ll play a central role in delivering successful outcomes across a program of substation projects.

What You’ll Do

• Lead cross-functional planning/engineering/construction teams in the execution of utility substation design & construction projects.
• Develop and manage key project planning documents, including:
• Project Execution Plans
• Project Initiation Documentation
• Communication Plans
• RFI Log Creation and Maintenance
• Meeting Facilitation and Engagement of Stakeholders
• Log of Meeting Minute
• Meeting Status Reporting
• Monitoring and Controlling Project Progress
• Drive accountability to scope, schedule, budget, and quality objectives
• Ensure all Mesa & assigned client business processes and procedures are followed
• Schedule & Budget Management
• Monitor and control project schedules and budgets
• Project Forecasting and Accruals
• Identify, document, and manage scope changes affecting cost and timeline
• Partner with associate project managers, coordinators, schedulers, analysts, and controllers to forecast spending, accruals, and financial performance
• Support Program Managers/Directors in maintaining strong cost and schedule performance
• Proactively identify project risks and develop mitigation strategies
• Track, assign, and resolve issues to minimize impact
• Maintain accurate and current project status reporting systems
• Technical & Client Coordination
• Support design teams in resolving technical challenges
• Coordinate design and construction activities to ensure efficient information flow
• Communicate effectively with internal teams, clients, and stakeholders across multiple programs
• Participate in client meetings and substation site visits while adhering to all safety requirements

What You Bring

• Required Qualifications
• Bachelor’s degree in project management, engineering, construction management, or related field
• Minimum 6 years of relevant project experience, which should include:
• Heavy industrial construction, preferably related to high voltage substations
• Engaging with and leading engineering/design projects
• PMP Preferred, but not required
• Firm understanding of PMI Project Management Methodologies and Processes
• Demonstrated experience managing power utility substation design projects
• Ability to manage multiple projects or a program simultaneously
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and project scheduling software
• Working knowledge of corporate accounting practices and business operations
• Core Competencies
• Strong leadership and decision-making abilities
• Independent judgment with minimal supervision
• Ability to interpret and apply scopes of work, technical criteria, and design requirements
• Exceptional organizational and prioritization skills
• Professional presence and stakeholder management capability
• Proven ability to manage emergent or fast-track projects
• Willingness to attend meetings at substation sites and client facilities, including occasional travel up to 10% to client locations mostly in Kentucky
• Commitment to following all Mesa and client safety protocols
• Ability to work effectively with remote and distributed teams

Qualifications

Skills

Required

Project Management

Advanced

Microsoft Office

Advanced

PMP

Advanced

Preferred

Primavera

Some Knowledge

Behaviors

Required

Dedicated

Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity

Team Player

Works well as a member of a group

Education

Preferred

Bachelors or better in Engineering or related field.

Experience

Required

Firm understanding of PMI terminologies and processes

Substation Knowledge

Utility Project Management experience

6 years:

Minimum 6 years of relevant project experience

Licenses & Certifications

Preferred

Project Mgmt Prof (PMP)

Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
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