Traveling Project Manager – Substation & Electrical Utility Construction
Location: Field-based / Travel Required (75–100%) Reports To: Director of Construction / VP of Operations Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt Travel: Extensive travel to project sites across [region/service territory]; per diem and travel benefits provided
Company Overview
[Company Name] is an electrical contractor specializing in the construction, upgrade, and maintenance of high-voltage substations and utility infrastructure. We deliver turnkey solutions for utility, industrial, and renewable energy clients, including new substation builds, transmission/distribution upgrades, protective relay and controls work, and switchgear installation. As our project portfolio grows across multiple states, we are seeking an experienced Traveling Project Manager to lead field execution on substation and utility construction projects nationwide.
Position Summary
The Traveling Project Manager is responsible for the full lifecycle management of substation and electrical utility construction projects, from pre-construction planning through closeout. This role requires frequent travel to remote and out-of-town job sites, often for extended durations, to directly oversee field crews, subcontractors, safety compliance, scheduling, and client relationships. The ideal candidate has hands-on substation construction experience, strong leadership skills, and the flexibility to relocate temporarily between project sites.
Key ResponsibilitiesProject Planning & Execution
- Manage all phases of substation and utility construction projects (greenfield builds, upgrades, retrofits, switchgear/relay installations, transmission tie-ins)
- Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and manpower/equipment plans
- Review engineering drawings, one-lines, specifications, and scopes of work to ensure constructability and compliance
- Coordinate material procurement, equipment logistics, and long-lead item tracking with the supply chain team
Field Leadership
- Serve as the primary on-site leader, directing foremen, crews, and subcontractors across multiple concurrent or sequential job sites
- Conduct daily/weekly job walks, progress meetings, and toolbox talks
- Resolve field-level design conflicts, RFIs, and constructability issues in real time
- Enforce quality control standards and utility/client specifications (e.g., NESC, NERC, IEEE, OSHA)
Safety & Compliance
- Champion a zero-incident safety culture; ensure compliance with company safety programs, OSHA regulations, and client-specific safety requirements (e.g., switching/tagging, arc flash, LOTO, confined space)
- Conduct or oversee site safety audits and incident investigations
- Maintain compliance with utility-specific access, badging, and clearance procedures
Client & Stakeholder Management
- Act as the primary point of contact for utility owners, engineers, and inspectors on assigned projects
- Manage client expectations regarding schedule, scope changes, and outage coordination
- Attend progress meetings, outage planning sessions, and pre-construction/kickoff meetings
Financial & Administrative Management
- Track project costs against budget; manage change orders, T&M tickets, and billing support
- Prepare and submit daily reports, progress photos, and productivity tracking
- Manage subcontractor agreements, invoicing, and closeout documentation
- Support project closeout, including punch lists, as-builts, and turnover packages
Team Development
- Mentor field supervisors, foremen, and junior project engineers
- Support recruiting and onboarding of local labor/subcontractors at each project site
- Provide performance feedback to crew leads and support workforce planning across projects
QualificationsRequired
- 5+ years of project management or construction management experience in electrical utility, substation, or transmission/distribution construction
- Demonstrated experience managing substation construction (foundations, structures, grounding grids, control buildings, bus work, switchgear/transformer setting) and/or utility-scale electrical projects
- Working knowledge of NESC, NEC, OSHA 1910/1926, and utility construction standards
- Ability to read and interpret electrical one-line diagrams, civil/structural drawings, and specifications
- Proven ability to manage project budgets, schedules (e.g., Primavera P6, MS Project), and subcontractor relationships
- Willingness and ability to travel extensively (75–100%), including extended stays at remote project locations
- Valid driver's license and clean driving record
- OSHA 30 certification (or ability to obtain within 30 days)
Preferred
- Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, or related field (or equivalent field experience)
- PMP certification
- Experience with utility client relationships (investor-owned utilities, cooperatives, municipal utilities, or independent power producers)
- Familiarity with switching and tagging procedures, protective relaying, and SCADA/controls scope
- Bilingual (English/Spanish) a plus
Physical & Work Environment Requirements
- Ability to work outdoors in varying weather conditions and at active construction/energized substation sites
- Ability to walk uneven terrain, climb ladders/structures, and wear required PPE (arc-rated clothing, hard hat, safety glasses, steel-toe boots)
- Extended periods of standing, walking, and site inspection
- Frequent overnight travel; some projects may require multi-week or multi-month assignments away from home base
INDAF
Pay: $120,000.00 - $160,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k)
- Health insurance
- Paid time off
- Relocation assistance
Experience:
- electrical contracting: 3 years (Required)
- substation construction: 1 year (Required)
Ability to Commute:
- Delta, UT 84624 (Preferred)
Willingness to travel:
Work Location: In person
