Preconstruction Manager - Substation Estimating - Michels Power, Inc.

Michels Corporation•Neenah, WI

6d•Remote

About The Position

Michels Power, Inc. is seeking a Preconstruction Manager - Substation Estimating to lead substation preconstruction activities and serve as the primary technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) supporting the estimating team. This role is crucial for project pursuits, involving oversight of estimate development, validation of technical assumptions, evaluation of execution strategies, and identification of project risks. The position will support the development of conceptual, budgetary, and strategic estimates, with a primary focus on providing technical leadership, mentorship, and preconstruction guidance to estimating professionals across various substation opportunities. Collaboration with estimating, operations, engineering, procurement, project management, project controls, and business development teams is essential for developing competitive proposals and executable project strategies. Success requires extensive substation construction expertise, leadership capabilities, commercial awareness, and the ability to guide teams through complex preconstruction challenges. This role is key to enhancing the technical capabilities of Michels Power's estimating organization, improving estimate quality, supporting strategic pursuits, and establishing consistent preconstruction best practices across the company's growing substation portfolio.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering, Construction Management, Business, or a related discipline and 10+ years of substation construction, engineering, project management, estimating, or EPC experience, or an equivalent combination of education and experience.
Strong technical expertise in utility substation construction, transmission and distribution infrastructure, EPC delivery, renewable interconnections, battery energy storage projects, and power delivery systems.
Experience leading or supporting preconstruction efforts, estimate development, constructability reviews, and project pursuit strategies.
Experience reviewing and validating estimates for substation, transmission, distribution, renewable energy, battery energy storage, or utility infrastructure projects.
Ability to interpret engineering drawings, specifications, one-line diagrams, protection and control documents, electrical equipment layouts, and construction work packages.
Strong understanding of substation construction sequencing, labor productivity, equipment installation, procurement strategies, risk evaluation, and execution methodologies.
Demonstrated ability to mentor, train, and develop estimating professionals and preconstruction teams.
Experience collaborating with operations, engineering, procurement, project controls, project management, and business development teams.
Strong analytical, leadership, organizational, presentation, facilitation, and communication skills.
Valid driver's license with an acceptable driving record.
Ability to travel up to 25% to support estimate reviews, customer meetings, project visits, proposal activities, and team development initiatives.

Nice To Haves

Experience with estimating software, Bluebeam, Primavera P6, Microsoft Project, HeavyBid, InEight, or similar preconstruction and project management platforms is preferred.
Professional Engineer (PE), PMP, CCM, or industry-related certifications are preferred but not required.

Responsibilities

Lead substation preconstruction activities and provide technical oversight throughout the project pursuit lifecycle.
Serve as the primary technical Subject Matter Expert (SME) for substation estimating, constructability reviews, and execution planning.
Support estimating teams through estimate planning, technical reviews, strategy development, and proposal preparation activities.
Review project specifications, engineering drawings, customer standards, and construction requirements to ensure estimate completeness and accuracy.
Evaluate labor productivity assumptions, construction methodologies, equipment requirements, resource planning, and project execution strategies.
Promote estimating consistency, quality, and continuous improvement across substation preconstruction processes and standards.
Provide technical leadership and preconstruction expertise for estimates involving greenfield substations, brownfield expansions, transmission interconnections, renewable energy projects, battery energy storage facilities, and EPC substation programs.
Prepare and support conceptual, budgetary, and strategic estimates for complex and high-profile project opportunities.
Partner closely with estimating, engineering, procurement, operations, project management, project controls, and business development teams throughout project pursuits.
Lead technical reviews of drawings, specifications, material requirements, labor assumptions, construction methodologies, and execution plans.
Identify key project risks, constructability challenges, market considerations, and opportunities to improve competitiveness and execution success.
Develop and deliver training, mentoring, and coaching programs that strengthen estimating and preconstruction capabilities throughout the organization.