Substation Construction Manager

Actalent; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 83,000 - 90,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Per diem

OT paid

Job summary

Actalent seeks a Substation Construction Manager for a large data center project in the Rayville/Delhi, LA area. You will lead construction and commissioning, driving subcontractor performance while ensuring safety, quality, and schedule compliance.

This field-based role manages on-site teams and requires extending hours (50+ per week). Per diem is provided; OT is paid. Long-term opportunities exist on future substation, distribution, and transmission projects within a growing utility footprint.

Qualifications

• Proven substation construction management experience, including oversight of construction and commissioning activities.
• Experience managing electrical distribution and power delivery construction projects.
• Ability to read, interpret construction documents, drawings, and specifications.
• Experience coordinating multiple projects within a broader backlog of utility work.
• Strong reporting skills and documentation for stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Lead subcontractor crews in construction and commissioning of a high-voltage substation.
• Drive subcontractor performance to meet safety, quality, and schedule targets.
• Oversee day-to-day field activities and coordinate work on site.
• Manage a team of up to 25 personnel on site.
• Ensure compliance with contract requirements and codes.
• Implement safety standards and promote safety culture.
• Review construction documents to guide field execution.
• Oversee reporting and progress updates for stakeholders.
• Conduct regular construction meetings with the project team.
• Support change management and risk mitigation.

Skills

Substation mgmt

Electrical distribution

Field leadership

QA/QC

Reading drawings

Reporting & docs

Safety management

Change management

Team leadership

Overtime readiness

Job description

Job Title: Substation Construction Manager

Job location: Louisiana and Arkansas

Pay rate: $60-65/hr + Per Diem

Schedule: 50-60hours/week, OT is paid over 40 hours

Job Description

The Substation Construction Manager oversees a multiyear substation project supporting a large data center in the Rayville/Delhi, LA area. This role leads construction and commissioning activities, driving subcontractor performance and ensuring the project meets safety, quality, schedule, and reporting requirements. The position offers longterm viability, with the potential to support multiple future substation, distribution, and transmission projects in a growing utility footprint.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage subcontractor crews in the construction and commissioning of a highvoltage substation for a large data center project.

• Drive subcontractor performance to meet production, quality, safety, and schedule targets across all phases of the project.

• Oversee daytoday field activities, coordinating and pushing work in the field to ensure efficient progress and adherence to plans.

• Manage and direct a team of up to approximately 25 personnel at a time, providing clear guidance and leadership.

• Ensure all construction work complies with contract requirements, company standards, and applicable codes and regulations.

• Implement and enforce safety standards and procedures, promoting a strong safety culture among all site personnel.

• Monitor and maintain quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) for all substation construction activities.

• Review and interpret construction documents and drawings to guide field execution and resolve issues as they arise.

• Oversee reporting requirements, including standardized construction reports, progress updates, and documentation for project stakeholders.

• Conduct regular construction meetings with the project team and stakeholders to communicate status, risks, and required actions.

• Support change management processes by identifying, documenting, and communicating scope changes and their impacts.

• Participate in risk management activities by identifying potential issues and implementing mitigation strategies.

• Collaborate closely with the broader project team to align field execution with project milestones and overall objectives.

• Ensure proper commissioning activities are carried out in accordance with standards and project requirements.

• Maintain accurate records of work performed, manpower utilization, and equipment usage for reporting and billing purposes.

Essential Skills

• Proven substation construction management experience, including oversight of construction and commissioning activities.

• Experience managing electrical distribution and power delivery construction projects.

• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate subcontractor crews in the field, including teams of 2025 or more personnel.

• Strong knowledge of substation construction practices, safety standards, and quality control/quality assurance processes.

• Ability to read, interpret, and work from construction documents, drawings, and specifications.

• Effective computer skills for reporting, documentation, and communication with project stakeholders.

• Strong reporting skills, including preparation of standardized construction reports and progress updates.

• Experience managing projects to meet safety, quality, schedule, and contractual requirements.

• Capability to work extended hours, including a base schedule of at least 50 hours per week and potential for additional overtime.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Construction management experience on electrical distribution, substation, and transmission line (tline) projects.

• Project management experience within utility or power delivery environments.

• Experience with major utility projects, including work on Entergy projects, is a plus.

• Background in safety management within construction or power delivery settings.

• Experience coordinating multiple projects within a broader backlog of utility work.

• Ability to communicate effectively with diverse project teams and stakeholders through meetings and formal reporting.

• Familiarity with change management and risk management processes in construction projects.

Work Environment

This is a fieldbased role on a large substation project in the Rayville/Delhi, LA area, slated to run for at least 2+ years with potential extension to 5 years or more based on project performance and backlog. The Construction Manager works primarily on site, actively pushing and coordinating the work of subcontractor crews in outdoor, utilitygrade construction conditions. The standard schedule is 5 days per week at 10 hours per day (5x10s), with a base of 50+ hours per week and the expectation that hours may increase as project demands grow. Standard per diem is provided for 7 days per week, and overtime is paid at timeandahalf. Holidays and paid time off are available and structured to be billable to the project within defined limits. The broader environment offers a growing footprint with utilities, a strong backlog of distribution, substation, and transmission projects, and opportunities for top performers to transition to future projects over multiple years.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $55.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 28, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.