Preconstruction Manager (Utility-Scale Solar & Energy Storage)

About the job

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.