Project Manager (Supporting DTE)

Job Title: Utility Project Manager / Project Engineer / Project Coordinator

Job Description

This role leads complex low-voltage utility distribution projects from initial planning through final closeout, supporting major overhead and underground distribution initiatives. The position coordinates design, permitting, environmental review, materials, and financial approvals, ensuring projects are fully prepared to transition to field construction. The role is hybrid, with three days per week onsite downtown Detroit DTE utility office and two days remote, and offers the opportunity to influence department growth and help shape processes in a rapidly expanding organization.

Responsibilities

• Lead utility projects across all phases, including planning, scope definition, budgeting, scheduling, execution, monitoring, and closeout.
• Manage low-voltage distribution projects involving overhead and underground utility work, as well as related substation, transmission, and natural gas initiatives.
• Coordinate closely with design teams to ensure all engineering, design coordination, and documentation are complete before handoff to construction project managers.
• Serve as the primary catalyst for communication among internal engineering contacts and various utility stakeholders, maintaining clear and direct communication throughout the project lifecycle.
• Work with vegetation management teams to determine what vegetation must be trimmed or removed to provide access for new equipment and construction activities.
• Coordinate environmental studies, including assessing utility lines crossing wetlands and other sensitive areas, and respond to unexpected findings or constraints.
• Secure and manage easement access permits, including coordinating access through individual properties, farmland, and other privately owned land.
• Oversee materials planning by identifying required materials, confirming orders, and tracking delivery timelines to align with project schedules.
• Manage financial approvals by ensuring all required parties review and sign off on project budgets and expenditures.
• Use SAP software to assign tasks, track project timelines, monitor progress, and maintain accurate records of project activities.
• Proactively identify schedule risks and constraints, and adjust timelines in coordination with construction, design, engineering, overhead, underground, and natural gas teams.
• Communicate changes, obstacles, and setbacks to stakeholders promptly, and lead efforts to revise timelines and plans based on new information.
• Resolve last-minute issues such as denied land access or unexpected environmental study results by developing alternative solutions and securing necessary approvals.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously under tight deadlines while maintaining quality, safety, and compliance standards.
• Represent the organization professionally to utility partners, demonstrating strong leadership, enthusiasm, and direct communication.
• Support the continued growth of the team and department by contributing ideas to improve processes, coordination, and overall project delivery.

Essential Skills

• Demonstrated experience in project management, project engineering, or project coordination for utility-related work.
• Hands-on experience with low-voltage distribution (LVD) projects, including overhead and underground utility distribution (MUST).
• Experience in utility-related projects such as substations, transmission lines, natural gas infrastructure, underground utilities, sewer lines, or water lines (MUST).
• Experience managing commercial or industrial construction projects with multiple stakeholders and tight deadlines.
• Proficiency in end-to-end project management, including planning, scope development, budgeting, scheduling, execution, monitoring, and closeout.
• Strong project coordination skills, including frequent communication with internal engineering contacts and external utility stakeholders.
• Experience in scheduling and timeline management, coordinating with construction, design, and engineering teams across overhead, underground, and natural gas disciplines.
• Ability to use SAP or similar project tracking software to assign tasks, monitor timelines, and manage project data; experience with other tools such as Excel for tracking is beneficial.
• Exceptional communication skills, with the ability to communicate clearly, directly, and confidently across diverse teams and stakeholders.
• Strong leadership capabilities, including the ability to drive accountability, keep teams aligned, and represent the organization effectively.
• Proven problem-solving skills, including the ability to respond quickly to unexpected setbacks and develop practical solutions.
• Ability to manage multiple concurrent projects under tight deadlines while maintaining organization and attention to detail.
• High energy, enthusiasm, and a proactive approach to driving projects forward.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience coordinating vegetation management activities related to utility access and equipment installation.
• Familiarity with environmental studies and permitting processes, particularly where utility infrastructure intersects wetlands or other sensitive areas.
• Experience obtaining and managing easement access permits for utility projects across private property and agricultural land.
• Comfort working with cross-functional teams, including construction, design, engineering, overhead, underground, natural gas, and utility operations.
• Ability to revise project timelines and plans in response to changes, obstacles, and stakeholder feedback.
• Interest in contributing to departmental growth and participating in decisions that shape team structure and processes.
• Willingness to relocate if needed, with relocation support available.
• Motivation to work in a growing organization that reinvests in the business and supports long-term career development.

Work Environment

The role follows a hybrid work model, with three days per week onsite downtown Detroit DTE utility office and two days working remotely from home. Onsite days are generally Monday, Tuesday, and Thursday, with Wednesday and Friday remote, though there is some flexibility in scheduling. The downtown office environment is professional and focused on supporting field operations and engineering activities. The broader organization operates from a brand-new, state-of-the-art modern office in Northville, offering an impressive, contemporary workspace and an atmosphere of consistent growth and investment in the business. Team members are often spread across the state, so day-to-day work relies heavily on digital communication, project tracking tools such as SAP, and collaboration with remote colleagues. The company culture emphasizes quick decision-making with minimal red tape, strong partnerships with major utilities, and reinvestment in technology, facilities, and benefits. A comprehensive benefits plan is available, and the role offers the opportunity to help grow the team and influence departmental decisions over time. Attire is typical professional office wear suitable for meetings with utility partners and stakeholders.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Detroit, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $38.46 - $48.08/hr.

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.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Detroit,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 17, 2026.

About Actalent

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.S., 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use 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.