Pre Construction Manager

RWE•Chicago, IL

3d•$120,000 - $160,000•Onsite

About The Position

The Pre Construction Manager leads and coordinates preconstruction activities for utility-scale wind, solar, and storage renewable energy projects. The role brings together engineering, permitting, interconnection, and scope development so projects are designed, de-risked, and contractually prepared to proceed into construction efficiently and without gaps. The position coordinates engineering, permitting, procurement, and operations and maintenance inputs; oversees engineering scope and deliverables; manages surveys and construction drawing milestones; and supports cost optimization, site layout, permitting, utility agreements, and interconnection planning. It also integrates O&M requirements into project scope and contracts, prepares and validates scopes of work for bidding, supports procurement and contractor engagement, and identifies and resolves risks before construction mobilization. This is an office-based position with some travel to other RWE Americas offices and field locations. The employee must be able to sit, walk, or stand for long durations. Applicants must be legally authorized to work in the United States; visa sponsorship is not available.

Requirements

Bachelor of Science in Engineering or a construction-related field from an accredited university.
At least 5 years of experience in renewable energy construction, engineering, and project management.
Strong interpersonal skills and ability to manage customer relationships.
Excellent proficiency with Microsoft Office (Excel, Word, PowerPoint, and Outlook) and Teams.
Strong leadership and communication skills, with the ability to meet deadlines.
Strong organizational skills and ability to coordinate multiple tasks and deliverables.
Ability to multitask and work independently as well as part of a team.
Self-starter with goal orientation and strong problem-solving abilities.
Ability to build relationships and communicate effectively with people from diverse backgrounds.
Detail-oriented, with strong business acumen and a sound understanding of business concepts.
Legally authorized to work in the United States; employment visa sponsorship is not available.

Nice To Haves

Engineering degree.
Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
Demonstrated desire to learn about RWE Americas and the renewable energy industry.
Receptive to direction, challenge, development, and coaching.

Responsibilities

Coordinate engineering, permitting, procurement, and O&M inputs to drive project readiness and mitigate risks.
Manage engineering scopes, deliverables, and timelines, directing internal teams and third-party engineers on geotechnical, civil, high-voltage, PV, and BESS designs.
Coordinate survey execution and site data collection, including topographic and ALTA surveys, with development teams.
Monitor design progress and enforce construction drawing milestones, including 60% PV, 100% HV, and IFC deliverables.
Lead cost optimization and LCOE improvement efforts through cross-functional reviews, lessons learned, and value engineering.
Coordinate engineering and development inputs and timelines to optimize site layouts for constructability, cost, stormwater, and permitting requirements.
Develop and manage civil permitting strategies, including required permits, approval processes, and timelines.
Coordinate acquisition of utility crossing agreements and key permits with legal, engineering, and external stakeholders.
Prepare and coordinate interconnection plans and schedules with engineering, transmission, and compliance teams.
Integrate O&M requirements into project scope and contracts, including facility specifications, spare parts, and startup needs.
Assemble and validate bidding scopes of work by consolidating engineering inputs and leading cross-functional reviews.
Provide complete engineering packages and documentation to procurement teams to support bidding or negotiations.
Identify and resolve technical, regulatory, and logistical risks before construction mobilization.