Head of Engineering and Project Management

Job Title: Project Manager - Utility Construction Job Description
This Project Manager role oversees utility construction projects across the Pacific Northwest, managing all phases from project award through closeout. You will lead planning, budgeting, scheduling, client and stakeholder communication, subcontractor coordination, risk management, and project reporting. The position focuses on electrical and heavy civil infrastructure, including utility, transmission and distribution, underground power, substations, renewable energy, and other power delivery projects, ensuring they are completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in line with customer expectations.
Lead utility construction projects from initial award through successful closeout, ensuring all contractual and performance objectives are met.
Develop comprehensive project work plans, including detailed schedules, budgets, procurement strategies, and staffing plans.
Conduct project kickoff meetings and establish clear project execution strategies and communication protocols.
Monitor project performance against schedule, budget, and contract requirements, and implement corrective actions as needed.
Identify project risks early and develop and execute mitigation strategies to protect project objectives.
Coordinate closely with Superintendents, General Foremen, and field teams to ensure efficient and safe project execution.
Develop, manage, and regularly update project budgets, cost forecasts, and cash flow projections.
Review project financial performance and take proactive steps to address variances in cost, schedule, or productivity.
Manage change orders, contract modifications, and claims, ensuring proper documentation and timely resolution.
Track project productivity and profitability and prepare monthly project status reports and financial updates for leadership.
Serve as the primary point of contact for utility clients, consultants, engineers, and other project stakeholders.
Build and maintain strong relationships with utility owners, project partners, and key stakeholders to support repeat business and long-term partnerships.
Participate in client meetings, progress reviews, and executive-level project updates, representing the project's status and needs clearly and professionally.
Ensure customer expectations are understood, communicated to the team, and met throughout the project lifecycle.
Review and interpret contracts, specifications, drawings, and project requirements to guide project planning and execution.
Ensure compliance with all contractual obligations, permitting requirements, and applicable regulatory standards.
Manage subcontractor agreements and vendor performance, including scope, schedule, quality, and safety expectations.
Oversee project documentation, record keeping, and reporting requirements to maintain accurate and complete project files.
Promote a strong safety culture and actively support company safety initiatives on all projects.
Ensure projects are executed in accordance with OSHA, utility, and company safety requirements and policies.
Support quality control and quality assurance efforts throughout project execution to meet or exceed project specifications.
Partner with field leadership to address safety, quality, and operational concerns in a timely and collaborative manner.
Collaborate with operations leadership to plan labor, equipment, and material requirements for upcoming and active projects.
Coordinate procurement activities to ensure materials, equipment, and services are available to meet project schedules.
Work closely with engineering, estimating, and preconstruction teams during project transitions, from pursuit and bid through construction and closeout.
5+ years of project management experience supporting electrical, utility, heavy civil, power delivery, or infrastructure construction projects.

• Strong understanding of electrical construction project scope, technical requirements, and field operations.
• Strong understanding of utility construction practices, project controls, and contract administration processes.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, including Word, Excel, and PowerPoint, for project documentation and reporting.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Project for developing and managing project schedules.
• Experience using construction management software to track progress, costs, and documentation.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites throughout the region as required by project needs.

High voltage project experience and knowledge are considered a strong plus.
Experience with transmission and distribution, underground power, substation, renewable energy, or other heavy civil/electrical infrastructure projects.
Demonstrated ability to build strong relationships with utility owners, engineers, and project stakeholders.
Proven track record of delivering projects safely, on schedule, and within budget.
Interest in contributing to a fast-growing construction organization with significant projected growth over the next several years.
This role operates within a dynamic utility construction environment across the Pacific Northwest, combining office-based planning and reporting with regular visits to active project sites. You will use tools such as Microsoft Office, Microsoft Project, and construction management software to manage schedules, budgets, documentation, and communication. Work involves close collaboration with field leadership, engineers, utility representatives, and subcontractors in both field and office settings. Travel to various project locations is required to support on-site coordination, safety, and quality oversight. The organization is in a high-growth phase, expecting to significantly expand in the coming years, offering exposure to diverse electrical and heavy civil infrastructure projects and opportunities to influence processes, culture, and long-term success.
This is a Permanent position based out of Renton, WA.
Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.
Opportunity for a discretionary year-end bonus. Opportunity to join a new/growing division with a company that is now one of the largest electrical contractors in the country.
Application Deadline
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.