Substation Project Manager

CDM Smith; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith is seeking a Substation Project Manager in Denver, Colorado. This role involves leading multi-discipline engineering teams for complex substation projects, from concept development through detailed design and construction support. The ideal candidate should have at least 10 years of related experience, a Bachelor's degree, and PMP certification. Responsibilities include project management, client liaison, and ensuring quality and compliance throughout the project lifecycle.

Qualifications

• 10 years of related experience in substation projects.
• PMP (PMI), CCM, or DBIA certification required.
• Experience leading multi-discipline engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Manage complex substation engineering projects.
• Lead proposal development and define project scope.
• Serve as main client contact during project execution.

Skills

Project management

Substation design and engineering

Client communication

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's degree

Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field

Job description

Job Title

Substation Project Manager

Job Location

Colorado - Denver

Overview

CDM Smith (Industrial Division) is seeking to fill an exciting Substation Project Manager (Substation PM) position in our established and growing business supporting electric utility and substation clients across the United States. The Substation PM will lead multi‑discipline engineering teams delivering critical substation programs and projects across the utility and mission‑critical markets, including consulting, engineering, design‑build, and EPC (engineer, procure, construct) delivery. Experience should include physical substation design and protection and control for brownfield and greenfield substations up to 345 kV, as well as the ability to execute safely, compliantly, and with a strong focus on constructability and operational readiness.

CDM Smith’s Industrial Division serves Utility, Data Center, Power, Oil & Gas, Chemicals, Food & Beverage, Metals & Mining, Manufacturing, and other industrial clients. In this role, the Substation PM will support portfolio‑style substation capital programs for investor‑owned utilities as well as fast‑paced, schedule‑driven substation and interconnection projects for data center clients—often with accelerated timelines, parallel workstreams, and highly coordinated stakeholder expectations.

Responsibilities

• Managing small to large complex substation engineering projects from early concept development through detailed design and construction support, including breaker and transformer replacements, new bay additions, and protection relay upgrades.
• Leading proposal development by defining scope, schedule, staffing, and cost, partnering with the Sales Leader and marketing team to produce compliant, competitive submissions.
• Directing multi‑discipline substation engineering teams (e.g., physical, P&C, civil/structural) and coordinating compliance deliverables to meet quality, schedule, and budget objectives.
• Managing quality, risk, schedule, and change management.
• Serving as a mentor and leader of multi‑discipline project teams.
• Performing guidance and review at the project level while assuring discipline and quality standards are adhered to.
• Serving as the main client contact and liaison during project execution to deliver a legendary client experience to grow the account.
• Applying experience and innovation to solve problems of high complexity in area of expertise with support from the engineering team.

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree.
• 10 years of related experience.
• PMP (PMI), CCM or DBIA certification is required (within 12 months of hire or promotion onto the Approved Project Manager list).
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction management, or a related field.
• Design‑build and/or EPC project delivery experience, including procurement coordination, construction oversight, and commissioning/turnover support.
• Experience with portfolio‑level substation program planning and execution (e.g., multi‑site capital programs), including managing and coordinating substation engineering teams (physical, P&C, civil/structural) to deliver consistent, on‑time design packages.
• Data center / mission‑critical substation experience delivering under accelerated schedules (fast‑track design cycles, parallel engineering/procurement, multi‑vendor coordination) with a focus on energization readiness, turnover, and schedule certainty.
• Registered Professional Engineer (PE) preferred (discipline aligned to project needs, e.g., electrical or mechanical).
• Additional relevant credentials (e.g., CCM, DBIA) and/or mission‑critical commissioning training/certifications are a plus.

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.