Innovation Manager

POSITION SUMMARY

We are seeking a proactive, organized, and experienced Innovation Manager to lead our Engineering & Design/Construction Innovation and Implementation Committee. This role is pivotal in driving innovation across our engineering, design, and construction practices — ranging from optimizing current methodologies to introducing transformative ideas across our PV (Photovoltaic), BESS (Battery Energy Storage Systems), and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) projects.

The Innovation Manager will serve as the central coordinator, facilitator, and implementer of innovative initiatives across engineering, estimating, and field execution functions. They will manage the full lifecycle of innovation ideas — from submission and vetting to implementation and standardization — ensuring that each idea is reviewed for technical feasibility, cost efficiency, repeatability, and constructability.

PRIMARY JOB RESPONSIBILITIES

Committee Leadership & Facilitation

• Chair monthly (or ad hoc) innovation committee meetings, ensuring agenda creation, focused discussion, action items, status updates, and clear outcomes.
• Establish and manage a platform for innovation idea submission, review, tracking, and reporting.
• Coordinate across multiple stakeholders to assign responsibilities, set deadlines, and follow up on action items.
• Capture detailed meeting notes, action plans, and track the progress of innovation items through the evaluation pipeline.

Project Management & Coordination

• Drive the timeline and process for each idea from initial submission to final decision (implementation or dismissal).
• Ensure collaboration between Engineering, Estimating, Procurement, and Field Operations teams during vetting and validation stages.
• Identify roadblocks and facilitate resolution through interdepartmental coordination.
• Assess feasibility, ROI, and scalability of innovative solutions for EPC projects.

Implementation & Roll-Out

• Once innovations are approved, coordinate the creation and updates of design documentation, specifications, and standard details.
• Lead or assist in training and communication of adopted innovations to relevant stakeholders, including engineering and design teams.
• Ensure updates are reflected in internal libraries, tools, and estimating systems.

Strategic Thinking & Innovation Contribution

• Present original innovation ideas to the committee based on personal experience, internal stakeholder consultation, and industry insight.
• Research and evaluate new solar PV, energy storage, and hybrid system technologies.
• Evaluate emerging trends and best practices across the industry for potential application within the company.

Reporting & Communication

• Provide quarterly briefings to the executive team on committee initiatives, statuses, and the impact/value of each pursued idea.
• Support documentation of lessons learned and development of knowledge-sharing practices.

EDUCATION & EXPERIENCE REQUIREMENTS

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, or a related field; or an equivalent combination of training and/or related experience.
• Proven experience in both engineering and construction, ideally within the solar PV and BESS sectors.
• Strong project management and organizational skills.
• Ability to lead cross-functional teams and manage multiple stakeholders.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Comfortable facilitating structured meetings and driving group decision-making.
• Detail-oriented with strong follow-up and accountability skills.
• Minimum of 7 to 10 years’ experience in Engineering or Construction within the Renewable Energy Industry.

PREFERRED SKILLS & ABILITIES

• Experience with innovation processes, lean practices, or continuous improvement methodologies.
• Familiarity with construction cost estimation and technical design vetting.
• Strong communication skills to convey concerns, analytical data, and project constraints.
• Ability to read and understand design drawings and contract documents.