Utilities Project Manager

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 117,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

PTO / Time Off

Job summary

Actalent in Phoenix, AZ is seeking a Project Manager III to lead complex engineering and utility projects, including transmission and substation work. The role emphasizes on-time, on-scope, and on-budget delivery while mentoring staff and promoting continuous learning.

A hybrid work setup is available with duties spanning coordination of design, construction, and engineering teams. The position requires 8+ years in PM, a PMP (or plan to obtain within a year), and strong communication and

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Information Systems, or equivalent with 4+ years in PM.
• Eight (8) years of related project management experience.
• PMP certification required or able to obtain within 12 months of hire.
• Experience managing multiple medium to large-scale projects in utility/engineering sectors.

Responsibilities

• Lead planning, execution, and delivery of multiple medium to large-scale engineering and utility projects (transmission, substation, power delivery).
• Define scopes, timelines, budgets, and deliverables to align with goals and stakeholder expectations.
• Apply PM processes and methodologies to drive consistent outcomes.
• Coordinate multi-discipline teams to achieve project objectives.

Skills

PMP certification

Multi-project management

Power delivery

Staff leadership

Communication skills

Budget management

Scheduling

AutoCAD familiarity

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering/related field

PMP certification

Tools

AutoCAD

MS Project

Primavera

Job description

Job Title: Project Manager III

Job Description

This role leads complex engineering and utility-focused projects from concept through completion, with a strong emphasis on transmission, substation, and power delivery initiatives. The Project Manager III oversees multiple medium to large-scale projects simultaneously, ensuring they are delivered on time, within scope, and within budget, while mentoring junior staff and fostering a culture of continuous learning and professional growth.

Responsibilities

• Lead the planning, execution, and delivery of multiple medium to large-scale engineering and utility projects, including transmission, substation, and power delivery initiatives.
• Define and manage project scopes, timelines, budgets, and deliverables, ensuring alignment with organizational goals and stakeholder expectations.
• Apply established project management processes, principles, and methodologies to drive consistent and predictable project outcomes.
• Coordinate and direct multi-discipline teams, including engineering, design, construction, and other technical resources, to achieve project objectives.
• Oversee substation and transmission line design activities, including electrical design, utility design, and high-voltage engineering components.
• Manage project documentation, including schedules, status reports, change orders, and project coordination records, ensuring accuracy and completeness.
• Identify, assess, and mitigate project risks and issues, making sound decisions based on accurate and timely analyses.
• Collaborate closely with stakeholders to understand their needs and values, and use that understanding to motivate team behaviors and drive desired results.
• staff, supporting their professional development and helping them build project management and technical skills.
• Ensure effective communication across all project stakeholders through clear oral and written updates, presentations, and reports.
• Lead negotiations and manage expectations with internal and external partners, vendors, and other project contributors.
• Adapt project plans and priorities in response to changing environments, shifting requirements, and uncertainties while maintaining progress toward goals.
• Support and promote adherence to technical standards, engineering best practices, and organizational procedures within the project team.
• Utilize tools such as AutoCAD and other design and engineering software to support project planning and coordination where applicable.
• Monitor project performance, track key metrics, and implement corrective actions as needed to keep projects on track.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Information Systems, utility industry discipline, or an equivalent combination of college coursework and experience totaling at least four (4) years in project management or related responsibilities defining and managing project scopes, timelines, budgets, and delivery.
• Eight (8) years of related project management experience.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) certification required, or ability to obtain PMP certification within 12 months of hire with appropriate approvals.
• Proven experience managing multiple medium to large-scale projects simultaneously.
• Strong understanding of project management processes, principles, and methodologies.
• Experience with transmission projects and power delivery initiatives.
• Experience in substation engineering, substation design, and high-voltage electrical design.
• Experience in utility design and engineering projects within the power distribution or electrical utility sector.
• Demonstrated ability to direct and coordinate multi-discipline teams.
• Strong critical thinking and creativity skills, with the ability to exercise sound judgment based on accurate and timely analyses.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, including the ability to convey complex technical and project information clearly.
• Strong negotiation and people management skills, with the ability to influence and motivate diverse teams.
• Ability to adapt to changing environments, shifting priorities, and uncertainty while maintaining focus on project outcomes.
• Proficiency with project management practices such as schedule management, budget control, and change order management.
• Familiarity with tools and concepts such as AutoCAD, electrical engineering design, relay and protection, and power distribution.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Comprehensive functional and technical knowledge of utility or engineering business practices and procedures.
• Experience in engineering project environments involving transmission lines, power delivery, and high-voltage systems.
• Hands-on experience with substation, electrical, and utility design using tools such as AutoCAD.
• Demonstrated leadership and organizational skills, including the ability to prioritize work across multiple concurrent projects.
• Ability to understand stakeholder and team member needs and values, and to apply that understanding to drive engagement and results.
• staff, fostering a learning-oriented team culture.
• Strong desire to continue learning and growing professionally within a large organization that offers advancement opportunities.
• Experience with construction coordination, project coordination, and managing change orders in engineering or utility projects.

Work Environment

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, typically combining 2 to 3 days in the office with 2 to 3 days working remotely each week in locations such as Phoenix, Tucson, and Albuquerque, NM. You will work in a professional engineering and project management environment that collaborates across disciplines including transmission, substation, electrical engineering, and construction. The role involves regular use of project management tools and engineering software such as AutoCAD, as well as standard office productivity applications. The organization promotes growth opportunities, including bonuses and stock-related benefits, and supports a culture where team members communicate effectively, share knowledge, and continue to develop their skills within a large, stable company setting.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $70.00 - $85.00/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 jobclassification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Phoenix,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 7, 2026.

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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.