Preconstruction Manager Utility Scale Solar Energy

Employment Type:  Full-Time 

FSLA:   Salary/Exempt 

Division:  Arch Energy 

Department: Arch Energy 

Reports to:                

Supervisory Duties: No 

The Preconstruction Manager leads pursuit strategy and preconstruction activities for utility-scale solar, battery energy storage (BESS), substation, and grid interconnection projects. This role is responsible for developing estimates, evaluating project risks, coordinating design reviews, supporting proposal development, and ensuring a successful transition from preconstruction to execution. 

Responsibilities / Essential Functions 

• Lead preconstruction efforts from opportunity qualification through proposal, negotiation, award, and project turnover. 

• Coordinate conceptual through final estimates for solar, BESS, substation, transmission/interconnection, SCADA, commissioning, and related project scopes. 

• Develop and maintain the basis of estimate, including quantities, labor assumptions, pricing, contingencies, schedule impacts, and exclusions. 

• Partner with Engineering and EORs to review owner requirements, drawings, studies, specifications, and constructability considerations. 

• Develop bid packages, scope matrices, and subcontractor responsibilities. 

• Support subcontractor and supplier outreach, bid leveling, quote analysis, and market evaluations. 

• Lead value engineering efforts to improve cost, schedule, constructability, and project performance. 

• Develop preconstruction schedules, procurement strategies, and execution plans with Operations and Project Controls. 

• Maintain project risk and opportunity registers and evaluate commercial and contractual requirements. 

• Lead proposal development, scope narratives, clarifications, assumptions, exclusions, and leadership review presentations. 

• Coordinate project turnover activities, including estimate assumptions, procurement strategies, risk items, and project commitments. 

• Capture lessons learned and maintain estimating standards, cost databases, and best practices. 

Key Skills  

• Renewable energy preconstruction and estimating 

• Utility-scale solar and battery energy storage projects 

• EPC project delivery and commercial strategy 

• Cost estimating and proposal development 

• Scope development and subcontractor management 

• Constructability reviews and value engineering 

• Risk assessment and commercial analysis 

• Schedule planning and execution strategy 

• Contract and procurement coordination 

• Strong communication, negotiation, and leadership skills 

• Advanced Excel and estimating software proficiency 

Required Experience  

• Bachelor's degree in Construction Management, Engineering, Estimating, Business, or a related field, or equivalent relevant experience. 

• 8+ years of progressive preconstruction, estimating, project management, or commercial experience supporting utility-scale renewable energy, power, or infrastructure projects. 

• Experience developing estimates and proposals for utility-scale solar and/or BESS projects, including substations and grid interconnection scope. 

• Strong understanding of renewable EPC work breakdowns, labor productivity, subcontractor scopes, equipment procurement, logistics, commissioning, and project indirect costs. 

• Ability to review civil, structural, electrical, and controls documentation and translate technical requirements into cost, schedule, scope, and risk considerations. 

• Experience leading subcontractor outreach, scope reviews, estimate reconciliation, value engineering, and proposal development. 

• Understanding of EPC contracts, owner requirements, allowances, contingencies, escalation, change management, and risk allocation. 

• Strong presentation, communication, and stakeholder management skills. 

• Advanced experience with Excel and construction management platforms such as HCSS, InEight, Sage Estimating, Procore, Bluebeam, Primavera P6, or similar systems. 

• Ability to travel for site visits, owner meetings, bidder engagement, and project turnover activities.