Project Leader 2 – Energy & Utility

M.C. Dean, Inc•Tysons, VA

About The Position

M.C. Dean is seeking a Project Leader 2 to manage external dependencies, integration, and delivery risk for behind-the-meter and grid-connected natural gas-fired generation systems for mission-critical and industrial facilities. This role encompasses the entire project lifecycle from initiation to close-out, with significant involvement during pre-construction, engineering, and implementation phases. The company fosters a collaborative and forward-thinking work environment, aiming to build the next generation of technical leaders.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Industrial Engineering, Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Math or Physics preferably from an ABET accredited program.
10+ years of experience in leading construction projects in the energy and utility sector.
Strong technical understanding of distributed energy systems, including natural gas RICE and Combustion turbines, and combined cycle generation.
Strong technical understanding of balance of plant systems, including electrical substations, HRSG, steam, fuel gas, cooling, and piping systems.
Strong knowledge of a project management / project scheduling system (MS Project or Primavera P6).
Ability to create project schedules and scheduling of resources (work items and tasks by hours).
Ability to estimate project work and prepare proposals for Customers.
Understanding of critical path analysis of project and resource data to identify potential project issues.
Ability to discuss project and resource schedules, costs, and budgets with project leadership
Strong knowledge of procurement processes, including evaluating suppliers and purchasing technical goods and services.
Ability to create technical documentation, including design documents and reference libraries.
Executive-level communications and presentation skills.
Team building and team leadership skills.

Nice To Haves

Strong knowledge of finance systems as it relates to project budgets and cost codes.
Understanding of earned value analysis as it relates to project management.
Proficiency in the use of automated cost/schedule management systems.

Responsibilities

Accountable for the overall administration, organization, and implementation of large scale energy and utility construction projects associated with mission critical data centers and industrial facilities.
Manage the full project lifecycle, including proposal, estimating, design, solutioning, installation, commissioning, and close-out.
Accountable for project documentation, including project requirements, manpower requirements, project layout, project schedules, detailed equipment plans and field office support.
Deliver projects aligned with hyperscale data center requirements, including aggressive schedules, phased energization, and high-availability architectures (N+1, 2N).
Manage procurement and delivery of major generation equipment, including coordination with OEMs, long-lead equipment tracking, and oversight of factory and site acceptance testing.
Own and manage utility and ISO/RTO interconnection processes, including application timelines, study milestones, and coordination with utilities to ensure alignment with project schedule and commercial operation targets.
Lead coordination of natural gas utility scope, including pipeline interconnections, metering, and pressure regulation, ensuring alignment of fuel availability with project schedule and commissioning milestones.
Lead commissioning and startup execution, including coordination of system turnover, functional testing, grid synchronization, and performance validation to achieve commercial operation.
Identify and manage risks unique to energy infrastructure projects, including interconnection delays, fuel supply constraints, long-lead equipment, and commissioning performance.
Coordinate and lead the project kick-off meeting.
Develop a Work Breakdown Structure for the project with properly named work packages and resources assigned to tasks (resource loaded) to establish a baseline resource plan.
Accountable for the scheduling of resources on the project to maintain the baseline project schedule.
Create baseline vs actual reporting of resources, as required.
Provide and execute site surveys, site cost studies, projected costs, forecasts, cost codes and progress reports, as required.
Assist with the collection of progress data of both self-perform and contractor perform work.
Observe and measure project scope and performance against the project plan to ensure that the project is within acceptable variances of cost, budget, schedule and scope.
Drive the development and maintenance of project artifacts, including engineering and design documents that are required to ensure effective short-term and long-term staffing success for the project.
Coordinate the acquisition of major equipment and materials.
Accountable for the acquisition of required permits and licenses for projects and ensuring inspections are handled correctly and in a timely manner.
Estimating, scheduling, or conferring with estimators, schedulers, and other resources that are assigned to the project to identify matters, such as work procedures, complaints, and other related problems.
Review the project schedule with the General Contractor and/or Customer.
Work directly with the Customer on a schedule.
Manage the integration of data from multiple company systems and analyzing the data to draw insights on project progress.
Assure timely completion of project punch-list items, the submittal of accurate as-built drawings, operation and maintenance manuals, and the completion of training materials.
Identify opportunities for cost-saving measures, quality improvements and best practices.
Maintain a positive, assertive relationship with other project leadership, including supervisors, superintendents, foremen, crew leaders and/or other project personnel, to achieve project milestones and overall project success.