Utility Construction Project Manager

nTech Workforce; Oakbrook Terrace (IL); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading project management firm is seeking a Senior Project Manager in Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois. This role involves overseeing engineering and construction for transmission and substation projects with a specific focus on risk management and team collaboration. Key qualifications include a STEM degree, over 7 years of relevant utility project management experience, and a strong grasp of technical sequences. The position operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring in-office work three days a week.

Qualifications

• 7+ years of relevant experience in utility project management.
• Proven experience in substation or transmission environments.
• Strong understanding of T&S equipment and construction sequences.
• Core knowledge of Transmission & Substation equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of construction and commissioning sequences.
• Hands-on experience managing physical construction projects.

Responsibilities

• Manage lifecycle of transmission and substation projects.
• Coordinate outages to ensure project milestones.
• Collaborate with internal teams to streamline project execution.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks related to outages and commissioning sequences.
• Collaborate with engineering, construction, and system operations teams.
• Oversee physical construction projects, ensuring safety and technical standards.

Skills

Project Management

Communication Skills

Risk Mitigation

Engineering coordination

Stakeholder communication

Hands-on field experience

Education

STEM degree or equivalent experience

Job description

• This role operates on a hybrid schedule, requiring three days in-office (Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday) and two days remote (Monday and Friday)
• Core working hours between 09:00 and 15:00

Overview

Our client is seeking a Senior Project Manager to manage engineering, construction, outage coordination, testing, and commissioning activities for transmission and substation projects. The successful candidate will oversee Transmission level Protection and Control replacement projects and/or Transmission line projects, ensuring seamless execution through a deep understanding of equipment function and construction sequencing.

Responsibilities

• Manage the full lifecycle of transmission and substation projects, including engineering, construction, and commissioning.
• Coordinate complex outages and system operations to ensure project milestones are met without compromising grid stability.
• Interpret one-line diagrams and technical specifications to understand equipment interfaces and functions.
• Anticipate and mitigate risks related to outages and commissioning sequences.
• Collaborate and communicate effectively with internal teams, including engineering, construction, and system operations.
• Oversee physical construction projects, ensuring adherence to safety and technical standards.

Required Skills & Experience

• STEM degree or a technical degree; however, significant professional experience may complement an arts degree.
• 7+ years of relevant experience.
• Proven utility project management experience, specifically within substation or transmission environments.
• Core technical understanding of Transmission & Substation (T&S) equipment.
• Extensive knowledge of construction and commissioning sequences.
• Hands-on experience managing physical construction projects.
• Strong communication skills for effective team and stakeholder coordination.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• PMP is highly preferred
• Experience specifically with Transmission level Protection and Control replacement.
• High-level awareness of outage and system operations within a utility framework.
• Ability to work effectively within a large team environment