Substation Project Manager

CDM Smith; Lexington (KY); On-site; USD 120,973 - 211,723; Full time

Job summary

CDM Smith in Lexington, Kentucky is looking for a Substation Project Manager to lead multi-discipline engineering teams for utility projects. This role demands experience with substation design and management of consulting and engineering projects.

The ideal candidate should have at least 10 years of experience and required certifications such as PMP. This position focuses on delivering critical substation programs in the energy sector and may involve traveling.

Qualifications

• 10 years of related experience.
• PMP (PMI), CCM or DBIA certification is required.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

Responsibilities

• Managing small to large complex substation engineering projects.
• Leading proposal development by defining scope, schedule, staffing, and cost.
• Directing multi-discipline substation engineering teams.
• Managing quality, risk, schedule, and change management.
• Serving as a mentor and leader of multi-discipline project teams.
• Serving as the main client contact during project execution.

Skills

Project management

Substation design

Team leadership

Risk management

Education

Bachelor's Degree

Job description

Company Overview

Check out this video and find out why our team loves to work here! (https://www.cdmsmith.com/resources/videos/meet-cdm-smith)

Join Us! CDM Smith – where amazing career journeys unfold.

Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co‑workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.

Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world‑class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.

Job Description

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 (IOUs) 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.

The ideal candidate will have proven experience managing consulting, engineering, design‑build, and/or EPC (engineer, procure, construct) substation projects and programs for investor‑owned utilities and mission‑critical clients. Experience should span all project phases, from site feasibility and front‑end planning through detailed design, procurement, engineering services during construction, commissioning, and closeout. This individual will help clients plan and deliver multi‑project portfolios and rapid‑turn projects by managing scope, schedule, budget, quality, and risk; aligning deliverables to client standards and operating requirements; and coordinating internal and external stakeholders to achieve safe, high‑quality outcomes.

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.

For more information about our Project Management roles, tools and culture, please visit this website https://bit.ly/2UC8V16.

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.

Travel Required

10% or less

EEO Statement

We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are 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, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.

Background Check and Drug Testing Information

CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.

Massachusetts Applicants

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.

Pay Range

USD $120,973.00 – USD $211,723.00

Visa Sponsorship Availability

No – We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e., H‑1B or TN Visas for this position.