Project Manager, High-Voltage & Commissioning

ABOUT THE ROLE

The HV & Commissioning Project Manager represents the Owner (IPP) and leads all high-voltage (HV), protection & controls (P&C), SCADA/communications, testing, and commissioning activities for utility-scale solar  and energy storage assets. This role owns cost, schedule, scope, quality, and risk for the HV build and commissioning phases from pre-functional checks through energization, interconnection testing, COD, and turnover to Operations. Functions as the primary interface with utilities, Owner’s engineers, EPCs, testing/commissioning vendors, and internal stakeholders, ensuring systems are safe, compliant, utility-approved, and reliable for long-term operations.

WHAT YOU'LL DO

• Own end-to-end HV and site wide commissioning project planning and control, establishing the WBS, baseline schedule, cash flow forecasts, procurement milestones, and resource plans.
• Drive weekly schedule reviews, recovery planning, and critical path management with EPC and site leadership.
• Lead HV and site wide commissioning cost management and forecasting, including monthly EAC/EVA updates, change order pricing validation, contingency management, pay application review/approval, and alignment of financial reporting with Project Controls and Finance.
• Direct contract administration, ensuring scope clarity, deliverable compliance, and change management discipline; draft, negotiate, and recommend change orders and claims with clear schedule/cost impact analyses.
• Coordinate cross-functional execution to ensure design completeness, permitting compliance, interconnection readiness, and QA/QC adherence.
• Execute risk management throughout the lifecycle, maintaining the risk register, quantifying impacts, implementing mitigations, and escalating strategic risks to senior leadership with recommended actions.
• Drive site safety culture and compliance, integrating HSSE requirements into schedules and work plans and ensuring EPC adherence to safety KPIs and incident reporting.
• Manage external stakeholder relationships, including utilities, AHJs, landowners, third party inspectors, and lenders’ engineers, ensuring timely reviews, approvals, and alignment on critical path items.
• Produce executive ready reports and presentations, summarizing progress, risks, cash flow, and forecasted outcomes for internal leadership and, when applicable, board-level review.
• Mentor and guide other members of the project team, delegating workstreams, providing technical direction, and building execution discipline across the project team.
• Lead lessons learned and continuous improvement, capturing insights during closeout and feeding back process and contract improvement recommendations to Construction leadership.
• Collaborate with individual departments, as well as cross-functionally with other departments within the organization.
• Maintain organizational excellence in terms of project timelines and deliverables.
• Demonstrates the Clēnera Core Values of Caring, Committed, and Courageous.
• Other duties as assigned.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in construction management, electrical engineering, , business, or related field experience.
• Experience:
  • Minimum of 5 years of experience in HV construction and commissioning project management.
  • Minimum of 2 years of experience executing utility-scale renewable energy projects.
• Technology: Proficiency with Microsoft Office Suite, and an ability to learn company-specific software programs, tools, processes, and machines.
• Skills/Attributes:
  • Strong understanding of schedule and cost controls, including critical path analysis, recovery planning, earned value, EAC forecasting, and cash flow management.
  • Strong EPC contract administration and negotiation skills, capable of structuring clear change orders, resolving claims, and driving accountability to contractual obligations.
  • Technical fluency in utility scale HV, construction, including civil works, MV/HV systems, SCADA, protection/controls, energy storage technology and commissioning sequences.
  • Adept at identifying systemic and emergent risks, quantifying impacts, and implementing mitigation actions that protect COD and budget objectives.
  • Ability to build trust and effectively coordinate with utilities, AHJs, inspectors, lenders’ engineers, and EPC executives to clear critical path issues.
  • Clear, persuasive communication, producing concise, decision ready reporting for senior leadership and guiding the project team toward shared outcomes.
  • Demonstrated ability to lead highly effective teams, both internally and externally.
  • Self-motivated to work through complex problems and competing priorities, including a high level of detail and organization.
  • Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Travel: 25%

BENEFITS

• Clēnera pays 100% of employee and dependent premiums for a suite of medical, dental, and vision coverages.
• Hybrid Work Environment
• HSA and FSA Plans Available
• Employee Assistance Program
• Retirement Plan with Employer Match
• Life Insurance (Basic, Voluntary, and AD&D
• Paid Time Off (Vacation and Public Holidays)
• Incentive Pay and RSU Plans

*Recruiting agencies, we are not currently accepting unsolicited referrals for this or any open role. We will not pay any fee associated with unsolicited referrals.