Manager, Project Development – Grid Solutions & Early-Stage Engineering

Priority Power is seeking a Manager to lead early-stage development of utility-class electrical infrastructure projects, including natural gas-fired generation. The role evaluates project feasibility and technical options, manages development schedules and budgets, and supports decisions that advance projects toward full development.

Responsibilities:

• Support the Sr. Director, Development and other internal stakeholders with early-stage technical expertise to qualify and advance utility-class electrical infrastructure projects across generation, transmission, distribution, and storage technology types
• Conduct grid topology analyses to evaluate network configuration options, identify single points of failure, and recommend resiliency and redundancy improvements including looped feeds, dual-source substations, automatic transfer schemes, and microgrid islanding capabilities
• Develop and manage project development schedules and budgets
• Lead project meetings with internal and external stakeholders
• Manage contract obligations in key project documents
• Lead technology selection processes for early-stage projects, developing technology comparison matrices, evaluating vendor capabilities, assessing equipment lead times and supply chain risk, and recommending optimal solutions based on project-specific technical and commercial requirements
• Develop Class 3–5 conceptual cost estimates for utility-class electrical infrastructure projects, including equipment, civil, electrical, structural, labor, and owner’s cost components, with appropriate contingency levels reflective of project development stage
• Coordinate for delivery of ALTA Surveys and Title Reports
• Develop early-stage project schedules establishing key development, permitting, procurement, and construction milestones; identify critical path activities and long-lead items; and maintain schedule updates as projects advance through the development process
• Prepare and present technical findings, risk assessments, technology recommendations, cost estimates, and schedule summaries to internal leadership, customers, and external project stakeholders in support of go/no-go decisions and project advancement
• Work with internal construction management team on contractor selection process
• Coordinate with construction management team on securing other permits
• Handoff projects once fully developed and permitted to construction management team
• Participate in project financings answering relevant diligence questions and providing required documents
• Coordinate additional resources or outside consultants/contractors as well as managing and meeting expenses throughout project development
• Apply critical thinking needed to communicate and influence employees at all levels regarding project risks, opportunities, and recommended action
• Provide support and analysis for Business Development pipeline reporting

Requirements:

• At least 10 (ten) years of experience in utility-class electrical infrastructure development, engineering, or project management, with demonstrated hands-on experience in interconnection analysis, grid topology, system resiliency design, technology selection, cost estimating, and/or early-stage project scheduling
• Bachelor of Science in Engineering, with preference for electrical and mechanical, or demonstration of sufficient expertise in electrical engineering for utility scale power systems
• Thorough familiarity with high-voltage electrical infrastructure including transmission, substation, distribution, generation, and storage systems; working knowledge of ERCOT and other RTO/ISO interconnection processes, grid codes, and applicable standards (IEEE, NERC, NESC) is required
• Excellent organizational skills, attention to detail and ability to meet deadlines
• Strong working knowledge of thermal generation plant systems including fuel handling, combustion, emissions controls (SCR, oxidation catalyst, DLN combustors), cooling water, and auxiliary electrical systems
• Demonstrated experience developing Class 3–5 conceptual cost estimates and early-stage project schedules for utility-class electrical infrastructure projects, with understanding of appropriate contingency levels, cost drivers, long-lead equipment, and critical path development
• Excellent oral and written communication skills are required including public speaking and/or platform skills for executive management presentations
• Self-starter, very self-reliant and capable of operating with minimum supervision
• Ability to work within a cross-functional team environment for project development and execution
• Ability to manage client expectations within the context of project development and execution
• Ability to effectively address and either manage or participate in the resolution of conflicts with clients or other project stakeholders which may arise throughout the course of project development
• Comfortable managing multiple priorities in a fast-paced environment
• Professional Engineering licensing or ability to obtain is preferred
• Experience with power flow modeling, short circuit analysis, load flow studies, or other power systems simulation tools (e.g., PSS/E, PowerWorld, PSCAD, ETAP) is a plus
• Experience utilizing CRM systems and developing metrics