Project Manager-Data Centers

Stantec Consulting International Ltd.; Bakersfield (CA); On-site; USD 121,000 - 182,000; Full time

Job summary

Stantec Consulting International Ltd. in Bakersfield, CA is seeking a Senior Project Manager to lead complex, multi-disciplinary engineering and design projects through concept to handover.

You will drive client relationships, manage budgets, and guide technical teams to deliver safe, compliant, high-quality outcomes. With 15–25 years of experience, a PE license, and a proven track record in large-scale infrastructure, you will influence project strategy and delivery while mentoring staff and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related field is required.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or equivalent is required; PMP preferred.
• 15–25 years of progressive engineering and design project management experience.
• Experience delivering large multidisciplinary projects (EPC/EPCM/design-build).
• Strong leadership, financial management, and negotiation skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale engineering and design projects.
• Define scope, objectives, schedules, and budgets in line with client goals.
• Oversee multidisciplinary teams and ensure QA/QC and safety compliance.
• Manage client relationships, progress reviews, and stakeholder expectations.
• Lead contracts, subconsultant management, and financial forecasting.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client management

Financial management

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master’s degree preferred

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred

Job description

At Stantec, we know the work we do matters. From decarbonizing mines to modernizing electric grids and building the infrastructure that fuels communities, we’re powering the world. Our clients come to us with their biggest, most complex challenges because that’s where we thrive. And we’re looking for problem solvers, high achievers, and visionaries to help us.

Join us for a chance to grow professionally at one of the world’s top design firms while building our clean energy future.

Your Opportunity

The Senior Project Manager (Sr. PM) is responsible for the leadership and strategic management of complex, high-value, and multidisciplinary engineering and design projects. This role oversees project execution from concept through completion, ensuring delivery excellence, financial performance, and client satisfaction. The Sr. PM serves as a trusted advisor to clients and internal teams, providing technical direction, business insight, and mentorship to project managers and staff.

The ideal candidate is a seasoned Project Manager with a proven track record delivering large, complex, mission‑critical infrastructure projects in a fast‑paced environment. They are equally comfortable leading client discussions, managing project financials, coordinating multidisciplinary technical teams, and driving execution through commissioning and handover. This individual thrives under aggressive schedules, proactively manages risk, and consistently delivers high‑quality results while maintaining strong client relationships and profitable project performance.

Key Responsibilities:

Strategic Project Leadership

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of large-scale or strategically significant engineering and design projects.
• Define and manage project scope, objectives, deliverables, schedules, and budgets in alignment with client goals and company strategy.
• Oversee all phases of project delivery and integrate multidisciplinary teams (process, civil, structural, mechanical, electrical, environmental, etc.) to deliver coordinated, high-quality solutions.
• Ensure alignment of technical, financial, and contractual performance with organizational standards and client expectations.

Client & Stakeholder Management

• Serve as the primary client liaison for major accounts and strategic projects.
• Build and maintain long-term client relationships through proactive communication, responsiveness, and strategic insight.
• Facilitate high-level client meetings, presentations, and progress reviews.
• Manage stakeholder expectations, resolve conflicts, and drive client satisfaction and repeat business.

Financial & Contract Management

• Develop, monitor, and control project budgets and profitability targets.
• Lead contract negotiations, including scope, fees, and commercial terms.
• Manage subconsultant agreements and ensure compliance with contractual requirements.
• Track project financials, forecasts, and performance metrics; implement corrective actions when necessary.

Technical Oversight & Quality Management

• Provide senior-level technical oversight and review of project deliverables to ensure quality, consistency, and innovation.
• Support and guide technical leads in the development of engineering solutions and design methodologies.
• Ensure projects adhere to internal QA/QC processes, regulatory standards, and best practices.
• Promote continuous improvement in project delivery processes and design quality.

Risk, Safety & Compliance

• Identify and manage project and business risks, developing mitigation and contingency strategies.
• Ensure compliance with all applicable health, safety, security, and environmental (HSSE) standards.
• Monitor project adherence to legal, regulatory, and ethical requirements.

Leadership & Mentorship

• Lead, mentor, and develop project managers, assistant project managers, and technical staff.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, and professional growth.
• Contribute to succession planning and talent development within the department or business unit.
• Serve as a role model for company values, safety culture, and client service excellence.

Business Development & Strategic Growth

• Drive business development by identifying new opportunities and expanding existing client relationships.
• Lead proposal and pursuit efforts, including technical strategy, pricing, and presentation development.
• Collaborate with leadership to support market growth, client strategy, and operational excellence initiatives.
• Represent the firm at industry events, conferences, and professional associations.

Capabilities and Credentials

• Thrives in a high-growth, schedule-driven environment.
• Demonstrates exceptional urgency and execution focus.
• Strong client relationship and stakeholder management skills.
• Comfortable managing ambiguity and making decisions quickly.
• Anticipates risks before they impact project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience delivering transmission line projects (69kV to 765kV+) and substation projects (distribution through EHV).
• Ability to make decisions with incomplete information while managing risk.
• Effective at balancing client expectations, technical requirements, schedule, and budget constraints.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects in a fast-paced environment with aggressive schedules, evolving client requirements, and significant capital investments.
• Support procurement strategies and management of long-lead equipment packages including transformers, switchgear, generators, UPS equipment, and cooling systems.
• Coordinate commissioning, integrated systems testing, turnover, and operational readiness activities.
• Mentor project engineers and developing project managers while promoting a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement.
• Support business development activities including proposal preparation, client relationship management, scope development, fee estimating, and contract negotiations.
• Commitment to technical excellence, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Ability to influence, mentor, and lead diverse teams across multiple offices or geographies.

Education and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, or related field; Master’s degree preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE, P.Eng) or Registered Architect (RA) license required; PMP certification preferred.
• 15-25 years of progressive experience in engineering and design project management, including at least 5 years managing large, multidisciplinary projects.
• Experience managing EPC, EPCM, Design-Build, and traditional engineering projects.
• Proven track record delivering projects exceeding $5M in fees or comparable complexity.
• Strong leadership, financial management, and negotiation skills.
• Excellent communication, presentation, and interpersonal abilities.

Pay Range:

Locations in CO, HI, IL, MD & Various CA, NJ, VA Areas-$121,300.00 - $182,100.00 Annually

Locations in WA, DC & Various CA, MA, VA Areas-$130,200.00 - $195,300.00 Annually

Pay Transparency:

In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are provided for positions in locations where required. Please note, the final agreed upon compensation is based on individual education, qualifications, experience, and work location. At Stantec certain roles are bonus eligible. Actual compensation for part-time roles will be pro-rated based on the agreed number of working hours per week.

Benefits Summary:

Regular full-time and part-time employees (working at least 20 hours per week) have access to medical, dental, and vision plans, a wellness program, health saving accounts, flexible spending accounts, 401(k) plan, employee stock purchase program, life and accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) insurance, short-term/long-term disability plans, emergency travel benefits, tuition reimbursement, professional membership fee coverage and paid family leave. Regular full-time and part-time employees will receive ten paid holidays in each calendar year. In addition, employees will be eligible to accrue vacation between 10 and 20 days per year and eligible for paid sick leave (and if more generous, in accordance with state and local law).

Temporary/casual employees have access to 401(k) plans, employee stock purchase program, and paid leave, in accordance with state and local law.

The benefits information listed above may not apply to union positions because benefits for such positions are governed by applicable collective bargaining agreements

Primary Location:

United States | CA | Bakersfield

Other Locations:

United States | CA | Sacramento

Schedule:

Full time

Travel:

Yes

Stantec provides equal employment opportunities to all qualified employees and applicants for future and current employment and prohibit discrimination on the grounds of race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, age, marital status, genetic information, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression. We prohibit discrimination in decisions concerning recruitment, hiring, referral, promotion, compensation, fringe benefits, job training, terminations or any other condition of employment. Stantec is in compliance with laws and regulations and ensures equitable opportunities in all aspects of employment. At Stantec we are committed to ensuring our recruitment process is accessible to all. If you require reasonable adjustments to be made during the recruitment process then please inform a member of our Talent Acquisition team.