Senior Construction Manager (Class A Licensed Contractor)

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL); Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 161,000 - 237,000; Full time

Job summary

Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) seeks a Senior Construction Program Specialist in California to lead construction oversight for utility and infrastructure projects. You will collaborate across engineering, project management, field services, and customer teams to ensure safe, compliant, and timely project execution.

Ideal candidates have a California Class A license or ability to obtain one and 12+ years of relevant experience, with strong leadership and communication skills.

Qualifications

• Valid California Class A license in good standing or ability to obtain one.
• 12+ years of experience in utility, infrastructure, industrial, civil, or power construction.
• Strong knowledge of construction project management, contractor oversight, and field execution.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• Successful completion of background check and drug screening.

Responsibilities

• Serve as California Class A licensed contractor representative for applicable projects.
• Provide construction oversight and support for utility, power, and infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, field services, and customer teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Review project scopes, schedules, specifications, and construction plans.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Mentor team members and support continuous process improvement.
• Travel to customer and project sites as needed.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Communication

Collaboration

Travel readiness

Job description

At SEL, we protect the power grid by delivering innovative solutions that improve the safety, reliability, and resilience of critical electrical infrastructure worldwide.

SEL Engineering Services (SEL-ES) is seeking a Senior Construction Program Specialist with a California Class A – General Engineering Contractor License (or able to get one) to support and oversee utility, infrastructure, and power system projects. This role provides construction leadership, project oversight, contractor coordination, and technical expertise for critical power delivery projects.

What You’ll Do

• Serve as SEL’s California Class A licensed contractor representative for applicable projects.
• Provide construction oversight and support for utility, power, and infrastructure projects.
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, field services, and customer teams to ensure successful project execution.
• Review project scopes, schedules, specifications, and construction plans.
• Ensure compliance with safety, quality, regulatory, and customer requirements.
• Mentor team members and support continuous process improvement.
• Travel to customer and project sites as needed.

Required Qualifications

• Valid California Class A – General Engineering Contractor License in good standing. Or able to obtain one.
• 12+ years of experience in utility, infrastructure, industrial, civil, or power-related construction projects.
• Strong knowledge of construction project management, contractor oversight, and field execution.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and manage multiple priorities.
• Willingness to travel as required.
• Successful completion of background check and drug screening.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with electric utility, substation, transmission, distribution, or generation projects.
• Experience serving as an RMO, RME, or qualifying individual for a California contractor license.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary project teams.

Compensation

Expected hiring range: $160,600 – $237,300 annually, depending on experience, skills, and location.

Join SEL and help build the infrastructure that keeps the power grid safe, reliable, and resilient.