Project Manager - Substations - Michels Power, Inc.

Description

The team builds and modernizes power delivery infrastructure across North America for utilities, developers, cooperatives, municipalities and industrial customers, using engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) contracts.

The company is family owned, part of a larger group of energy and infrastructure contractors, and one of the largest private power utility electrical contractors in the US. Its work covers overhead and underground projects from 69 kV to 765 kV, along with fiber networks.

Substations link generation, transmission and distribution, so this role runs projects from planning through energization and closeout while keeping safety, customer service, quality, schedule and profit on track.

Everyone is responsible for safety, whatever their title.

The company looks for people who work well with committed teams, welcome new challenges and technology, question habits that have no good reason, and want to make their own calls with support available.

Responsibilities

• Run substation construction projects from contract award to final closeout.
• Control budgets, schedules, forecasts, purchasing and overall financial results.
• Build lasting customer relationships and act as their main contact during execution.
• Write project execution plans and define staffing, procurement and resource needs.
• Work with engineers, construction managers, superintendents, field crews, subcontractors, suppliers and customers.
• Spot risks to schedule, cost and operations, and put mitigation in place.
• Make sure safety rules, specifications, customer expectations and contract terms are met.
• Help build a culture centred on safety, accountability, quality and ongoing improvement.
• Oversee greenfield and brownfield substation work, including expansions and upgrades.
• Projects may include transmission, distribution, collector, renewable energy and BESS substations, switchyards, transformer and breaker installs, protection and control, relay upgrades, bus work, equipment replacement, and testing and commissioning.
• Review contracts, drawings, specifications and engineering documents.
• Direct subcontractors and suppliers on safety, quality, contract compliance and schedule.
• Lead customer meetings, progress reviews, forecast discussions and operational planning sessions.
• Coordinate procurement, material handling, equipment deliveries and resourcing.
• Track labor productivity, costs, revenue forecasts, schedule performance and overall project health.
• Manage commissioning, energization, turnover and closeout.
• Report project performance to customers and company leadership.

Requirements

• A bachelor's degree in construction management, engineering, electrical engineering, project management, business or a related field, combined with 5+ years in project management, or an equivalent mix of education and experience.
• Background managing utility substation construction, power delivery, renewable energy, industrial electrical or EPC work.
• Solid grasp of substation construction, power systems, electrical infrastructure and utility projects.
• Hands-on exposure to transformers, breakers, protection and controls, relays, switchgear, bus work, equipment installs or commissioning.
• Track record handling budgets, schedules, forecasts, purchasing, subcontractors and customer relationships.
• Proven ability to weigh safety, quality, schedule and financial goals against each other.
• Experience reading contracts, specifications, drawings and project records.
• Strong leadership, communication, finance, organization, negotiation and problem-solving skills.
• Working knowledge of Microsoft Office Suite.
• Preferred: experience with Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, Procore, Autodesk Construction Cloud or similar platforms.
• A valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
• Able to travel about 50% and support projects across North America as needed.

Conditions

Full-time position.

Travel of approximately 50% is required.

Expected base salary is $120,000 - $170,000 USD, based on current market data. Minimums and maximums may vary by location, and final pay depends on skills, experience, education and other job-related factors permitted by law.

The company is an equal opportunity employer (AA/EOE/M/W/Vet/Disability).

Benefits

• Health, dental and life insurance.
• Short-term and long-term disability insurance.
• Flexible spending account (FSA) and health savings account (HSA).
• 401(k) retirement plan.
• Legal plan, plus identity theft protection and monitoring.
• Training and career development averaging $5,000 per employee per year.
• Paths into Senior Project Management, Regional Operations or Executive Leadership roles.