Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) Site Manager / Owner’s Representative
Job Description
Position Summary
The BESS Site Manager / Owner’s Representative serves as the Owner’s primary on-site authority during the construction, commissioning, energization, and closeout of Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) projects. This role oversees daily field execution across civil, mechanical, electrical, SCADA/controls, and high-voltage scopes while ensuring compliance with project specifications, permits, safety requirements, schedule milestones, and contractual obligations.
The Site Manager acts as the Owner’s on-site liaison with EPC contractors, utilities, AHJs, engineers, landowners, and local stakeholders to support safe, efficient, and successful project delivery through commercial operation.
Key Responsibilities
Construction Management & Owner Representation
- Represent the Owner as the primary on-site authority, overseeing all construction activities across civil, mechanical, electrical, SCADA/controls, and high-voltage scopes.
- Serve as the Owner’s main point of contact with EPC contractors, engineers, utilities, AHJs, commissioning teams, and community stakeholders.
- Lead daily coordination meetings, progress reviews, safety discussions, and interface management sessions on behalf of the Owner.
- Monitor EPC and subcontractor compliance with approved drawings, specifications, permits, safety requirements, QA/QC standards, and contractual obligations.
- Track construction progress, installed quantities, milestone completion, and schedule performance to support Owner review and approval processes.
- Identify project risks, quality concerns, schedule impacts, and scope deviations; escalate issues and recommend mitigation strategies to the Owner team.
- Support implementation and enforcement of site safety programs, environmental requirements, and construction best practices.
BESS Technical Oversight
- Oversee installation and integration of BESS equipment including battery containers/enclosures, PCS/inverters, MV transformers, switchgear, EMS/SCADA systems, communications infrastructure, and auxiliary systems.
- Coordinate energization activities and verify readiness for commissioning and testing.
- Monitor adherence to OEM installation requirements and warranty conditions.
- Support troubleshooting and resolution of field issues related to electrical systems, controls integration, and equipment performance.
- Review commissioning plans, testing procedures, and turnover documentation for completeness and compliance.
Stakeholder & Community Coordination
- Act as the Owner’s on-site liaison for local stakeholders, landowners, utilities, fire departments, inspectors, and permitting agencies.
- Support community outreach and maintain positive working relationships with local authorities and project stakeholders.
- Coordinate site logistics, access management, deliveries, laydown areas, and security to minimize construction conflicts and maintain safe site operations.
Environmental, Compliance & Documentation
- Monitor environmental and permitting compliance, including SWPPP implementation and applicable regulatory requirements.
- Maintain Owner records and project documentation in project management systems such as Procore, including:
- Daily reports
- Test reports
- Relay files
- Redlines and as-builts
- NCRs and punch lists
- Turnover and closeout documentation
- Lead punch list development, tracking, and closeout across all disciplines through mechanical completion and turnover.
Commissioning & Project Closeout
- Support commissioning, energization, performance testing, and commercial operation activities.
- Verify completion of turnover packages, QA/QC documentation, training materials, and final deliverables.
- Assist with final inspections, substantial completion verification, and project closeout activities.
Qualifications
- Minimum of 5 years of construction management or owner’s representative experience in utility-scale energy, power generation, substations, solar, wind, or BESS projects.
- Strong understanding of utility-scale BESS systems, high-voltage electrical infrastructure, and EPC project execution.
- Experience managing field activities during construction, commissioning, and energization phases.
- Knowledge of OSHA safety standards, environmental compliance requirements, and QA/QC processes.
- Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, specifications, schedules, and commissioning documentation.
- Strong leadership, communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills.
- Experience with project management/document control platforms such as Procore, Aconex, or similar systems.
- Willingness to work full-time at project sites and travel as required.
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree , Construction Management, or related technical field.
- Previous experience with utility-scale BESS, solar + storage, substations, or transmission infrastructure projects.
- OSHA 30 certification.
- Experience with NFPA 855, NEC, and utility interconnection requirements.
- Familiarity with SCADA, EMS, protection and controls systems, and commissioning procedures.
Work Environment
- Primarily field-based at active construction sites.
- Ability to walk construction sites, climb ladders, and work in varying outdoor conditions.
- May require extended work hours during commissioning, energization, and critical construction milestones.
Pay: $165,000.00 - $190,000.00 per year
Application Question(s):
- Do you have previous experience with utility-scale BESS, solar + storage, substations, or transmission infrastructure projects. If so, please provide your job title you held on those projects.
Work Location: On the road
