Job Information
WSP USA High Voltage Substations Project Manager in Appleton, Wisconsin
WSP is currently initiating a search for a High Voltage Substations Project Manager for our Overland Park, KS, Ann Arbor, MN, Appleton, WI, Madison, WI, Minneapolis, MN, Plover, WI, and Saint Louis, MO however, the selected candidate may work from any mutually acceptable location within the United States.
Be involved in projects with our Project Management Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.
This Opportunity
Provides technical project supervision and leadership for high voltage (HV) and extra‑high voltage (EHV) electrical substation projects, delivering guidance across the administrative, commercial, and technical execution of assigned utility‑scale power delivery and substation projects in accordance with WSP’s core values, utility contracts, and client scope of services. Manages the overall performance of assigned HV/EHV substation projects of moderate size and complexity and/or local to regional scope, including oversight of project financials, budgets, schedules, risk management, QA/QC, safety (OSHA/utility safety standards), and client satisfaction. Ensures full adherence to responsibilities throughout the substation project lifecycle, including proposal development, project startup and planning, detailed engineering coordination, procurement support, construction management, outage planning, testing, commissioning, energization, reporting, and project closeout, with deliverables meeting or exceeding corporate and client standards for safety, quality, schedule, profitability, and operational performance within a power delivery and electrical substation engineering environment.
As one of the world’s leading professional services firms, WSP now brings world-class expertise in power delivery and project management with the recent acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. Our vision is to be the preeminent pure-play global consulting firm for the world’s energy transition. And we need your help.
Your Impact
Oversee and monitor cross‑functional engineering, design, and construction teams delivering high voltage (HV) and extra‑high voltage (EHV) electrical substation projects, including management of project budgets, labor hours, cost tracking, material and equipment quantities (transformers, breakers, protection & control, steel, foundations), deliverables, compliance documentation, and fulfillment of utility and EPC contractual obligations
Play a contributing role in the development of HV/EHV substation project proposals, including cost estimates, scopes of work, project schedules, execution strategies, and resource plans for utility‑scale power delivery and transmission & distribution (T&D) projects
Develop work breakdown structures (WBS) and cost-loaded schedules for substation engineering, procurement, construction, outage planning, testing, commissioning, and energization activities
Establish the level of technical and design review required for HV/EHV substation projects, selecting appropriately qualified substation, protection & control, civil/structural, and electrical engineering staff, and ensuring compliance with QA/QC plans, utility standards, and regulatory requirements
Contribute to project margin analysis, establishment of margin targets, and development of risk registers and contingency plans for high-risk utility and substation construction environments
Coordinate and assist with the technical aspects of contract negotiation, presentation, and meetings
Develop and update the Project Initiation/Setup Documentation including: Risk (REF/RMP), Project Management Plan (PMP), Project Quality Plan (QP), Project Safety (PSP), and Communications Plan as necessary
Participate in project kick-off meetings with key stakeholders
Work collaboratively with Project Accounting to monitor and track earned value, cost performance, estimated time‑to‑completion, cash flow, invoicing, and budgeted margin across individual HV substation projects or portfolios of power delivery work
Oversee budgeting, forecasting, scheduling (CPM), cost control, and change management for high voltage substation design and construction projects, including management of scope changes and claims
Coordinate with area/technical managers to address project resource and subcontracting requirements in a timely manner
Immediately communicate and escalate any project site Health & Safety or significant client issues to senior PM staff and leadership
Participate in problem project reviews, providing input about root cause issues and potential solutions to leadership and other stakeholders
Provide regular project reporting and updates to clients, technical area, and business unit managers, identifying any emergent issues with scope, risk, and/or budget
Monitor accounts receivable (AR) and unbilled revenue, working to address issues as needed
Work with the Procurement Department to closeout procurements and/or supplier agreements as appropriate
Complete formal project closeout activities, along with conducting and documenting a lessons-learned meeting with key project staff
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs
Who You Are
Required Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Power Systems, Civil), Engineering Technology, Science, or a related technical discipline, or equivalent experience within an A/E/C, utility, EPC, or power delivery engineering environment supporting HV/EHV substation projects
7–10 years of progressive post‑education experience in a project management role delivering high voltage (HV) and/or extra‑high voltage (EHV) electrical substation, transmission & distribution (T&D), or utility‑scale power delivery projects
Demonstrated understanding of the project delivery lifecycle within the A/E/C industry, with a well‑defined background in project management for electrical substation engineering, procurement, construction, testing, commissioning, and energization
Well-developed analytical and organizational skills, with business acumen to bridge the business and project management
Competent critical‑thinking and problem‑solving skills, including the ability to assess technical, schedule, cost, and risk impacts using established project management principles to achieve optimal outcomes on complex HV/EHV substation projects
Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally
Demonstrated self‑leadership and accountability, with strong attention to detail, ability to multi‑task across concurrent HV substation projects, and adaptability in a fast‑paced power delivery environment
Ability to work independently with minimal oversight, while providing guidance and leadership to junior project managers, engineers, and technical staff, with strict adherence to QA/QC processes, utility standards, and corporate quality systems
Competent with technical writing, office automation, relevant software, MS Office suite products (e.g., Word, Excel, Visio, Project, SharePoint), technology, spreadsheets, and PM tools
Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating resources and assertively directing consultants, suppliers, subcontractors, and others to complete tasks competently and efficiently
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements
Preferred Qualifications
Master’s Degree in Engineering
Essential project management certification required (e.g., PMP, CAP-M)
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
www.wsp.com
WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.
At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?
WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.
NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:
WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.