Pre-Construction Manager Commercial Solar Energy Storage

Buffalo Solar•Village of Depew, NY

6d•Onsite

About The Position

Buffalo Solar Solutions is hiring a Pre-Construction Manager to lead the technical development and readiness of our commercial rooftop solar and solar + storage projects. This role is responsible for leading the people and processes that ensure projects are technically sound, utility-ready, and truly buildable before construction begins. You will serve as the internal authority aligning estimating, engineering, interconnection, permitting, and site assessment teams from contract execution through Notice to Proceed (NTP). This is not a sales role and not a field superintendent role. It is a senior technical leadership position with real authority and accountability.

Requirements

7+ years experience in commercial solar, power systems, or electrical infrastructure
Demonstrated strength in: Utility interconnection processes
Commercial PV electrical design concepts
Engineering review and constructability validation
Experience working directly with: Utilities
AHJs and fire departments
External engineers and PEs
Proven ability to lead across functions and enforce standards without relying on hierarchy
Comfortable acting as a final technical decision-maker

Nice To Haves

NABCEP certification (PVIP and/or ESIP preferred)
Experience with solar + battery (BESS) projects
Familiarity with NEC, IFC, and fire code impacts on PV and energy storage
Experience in a design-build / EPC environment
Strong written and verbal communication skills

Responsibilities

Own project readiness from contract → NTP
Lead and coordinate the teams responsible for: Estimating and procurement
Site assessment
Engineering coordination
Interconnection and permitting readiness
Provide cross-functional leadership to align: Sales assumptions with build reality
Estimating inputs with market pricing
Engineering design intent with constructability
Interconnection strategy with schedule and risk
Act as the internal authority on: Utility interconnection strategy and applications
Engineering assumptions and constructability
AHJ and fire department coordination
Review, challenge, and approve: Engineering outputs (internal and external)
Technical Scope of Work (drafted by estimating/procurement)
Final pricing as it relates to constructability and risk
Enforce quality standards for all technical submissions, including utilities and incentives
Lead technical pre- and post-site assessment reviews
Identify and mitigate technical, interconnection, and code-related risk early
Deliver a clean, build-ready handoff to the Construction Manager and field team