Substation Construction Manager

Position Summary

The Substation Construction Manager is responsible for overseeing and directing all on-site construction activities for electrical substation projects. This role ensures work is executed safely, in compliance with design and utility standards, and delivered on schedule and within budget. The Construction Manager serves as the senior field leader, coordinating crews, subcontractors, inspectors, and commissioning teams through project completion and energization.

Key Responsibilities

Construction Leadership & Execution

• Lead day-to-day field construction activities for substation projects (greenfield, brownfield, expansions, upgrades)
• Supervise site superintendents, foremen, subcontractors, and craft labor
• Develop and execute construction work plans, sequencing, and manpower plans
• Coordinate outage schedules and tie-ins with utilities and system operators

Safety Management

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture across all project sites
• Enforce site-specific safety plans, JHAs, and company safety policies
• Ensure compliance with OSHA, NESC, NFPA 70E, and utility safety standards
• Conduct toolbox talks, safety audits, and incident investigations

Schedule & Productivity

• Drive adherence to the project schedule and milestone dates
• Monitor labor productivity, equipment utilization, and material availability
• Identify and mitigate construction risks and schedule impacts

Quality & Compliance

• Ensure construction meets approved drawings, specifications, and standards
• Coordinate inspections, testing, and quality documentation
• Resolve field conflicts, constructability issues, and non-conformances

Engineering & Project Coordination

• Interface with engineering teams on constructability reviews and RFIs
• Coordinate material deliveries (transformers, breakers, steel, control buildings)
• Support commissioning, testing, and energization activities

Client & Stakeholder Interface

• Serve as the primary on-site representative for clients and utility personnel
• Participate in progress meetings and provide field updates
• Coordinate with AHJs, inspectors, and third-party owners' engineers

Cost & Contract Support

• Track field costs, labor hours, and equipment usage
• Support change management, time-and-material work, and daily reports
• Assist with punch list completion and project closeout

Qualifications

Required

• 8+ years of experience in electrical substation construction or T&D projects
• Strong hands-on knowledge of substation construction means and methods
• Proven leadership experience managing field crews and subcontractors
• In-depth knowledge of electrical safety practices and energized work environments
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings and specifications
• Willingness to travel extensively and work from project sites

Preferred

• Experience with utility-scale or EPC substation projects
• Experience with high-voltage systems (69kV–500kV)
• Electrical trade background or construction management degree
• Familiarity with relay testing, protection & control, and commissioning processes