Substation Construction Manager

Job Title: Substation Construction ManagerJob Description

The Substation Construction Manager oversees complex substation construction and commissioning projects, ensuring safe, high-quality, and timely execution by subcontractor crews. This role focuses on driving subcontractor performance, managing production and quality for large field operations, and meeting rigorous reporting and computer-based documentation requirements across multi-year utility and solar-related projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage subcontractor crews in the construction and commissioning of electrical substations, ensuring all work aligns with project plans, specifications, and standards.
• Drive subcontractor performance by setting clear expectations, monitoring progress, and taking proactive action to maintain production, quality, and schedule adherence.
• Oversee day-to-day field operations for teams of up to 25 people, coordinating labor, equipment, and materials to optimize efficiency and safety.
• Ensure all construction activities comply with safety requirements, electrical standards, and company procedures, promoting a strong safety culture on site.
• Manage overall job quality by reviewing construction work, identifying issues, and implementing corrective actions to meet QA/QC requirements.
• Maintain detailed, accurate, and timely reporting on construction progress, issues, risks, and changes, using computer-based tools and standardized reporting formats.
• Administer contract requirements in the field, including change management, risk management, and adherence to project scope and specifications.
• Coordinate and conduct regular construction meetings with subcontractors, project team members, and stakeholders to communicate status, resolve issues, and align on next steps.
• Collaborate closely with the broader project team to support schedule development, sequencing of work, and resource planning for multi-phase projects.
• Support commissioning activities by coordinating with relevant teams to ensure constructed facilities are ready for testing, energization, and handover.
• Contribute to the successful execution of multiple concurrent projects, including substation, distribution, and transmission line work, as part of a long-term project backlog.
• Monitor and manage field risks, including safety, quality, schedule, and cost impacts, escalating concerns and recommending mitigation strategies as needed.

Essential Skills

• Proven substation construction management experience, with a strong track record overseeing substation projects from construction through commissioning.
• Experience managing distribution construction projects, including power delivery and electrical distribution work.
• Demonstrated ability to lead and coordinate large field crews, typically up to 25 people, in a fast-paced construction environment.
• Strong knowledge of electrical distribution, power delivery systems, and substation construction practices.
• Hands-on experience with construction management in utility or large-scale energy projects.
• Robust computer skills, including the ability to use digital tools for reporting, documentation, and communication.
• Advanced reporting skills, with the ability to produce accurate, detailed, and timely construction reports in standardized formats.
• Solid understanding of QA/QC processes and requirements in construction, with the ability to enforce quality standards in the field.
• Knowledge of safety standards and practices related to electrical construction, substations, and transmission/distribution work.
• Ability to interpret and work from construction documents, drawings, and specifications.
• Experience managing construction activities in alignment with contract requirements, including change management and risk management.
• Strong project management capabilities within a construction environment, including scheduling, coordination, and stakeholder communication.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with utility projects, including work within major utility footprints, is highly beneficial.
• Background in transmission line construction and related safety and electrical practices is a plus.
• Prior experience on Entergy projects or similar large utility programs is preferred.
• Experience supporting large-scale solar or data center-related infrastructure projects is advantageous.
• Familiarity with project management construction methodologies and standards.
• Ability to work effectively across multiple projects and phases over a multi-year backlog.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to engage subcontractors, project teams, and stakeholders in a clear and professional manner.
• Comfort working in a highly structured environment with significant reporting and documentation expectations.

Work Environment

This role is primarily field-based, overseeing active substation construction sites and coordinating the work of subcontractor crews on large-scale utility and energy projects. The position typically operates on a schedule of five 10-hour days per week (5-10s), with a base workweek of at least 50 hours, and hours can increase beyond that depending on project demands. Standard per diem is provided for eligible assignments. The project work is slated to last multiple years, with current assignments expected to run 2 or more years and a strong backlog of additional projects extending into future years. Holidays and paid time off are available and are structured in alignment with project billing practices. The environment is fast-paced and production-focused, with a strong emphasis on safety, quality, and rigorous computer-based reporting. The Construction Manager spends most of the time on site, actively pushing and coordinating field work, interacting with subcontractor crews, and using digital tools to document progress and communicate with the broader project team.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Rogers, AR.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $60.00 - $70.00/hr.

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 fully onsite position in Rogers,AR.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 27, 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.