Sr. Manager, Engineering and Preconstruction
As a player-coach, you will be accountable for the quality and consistency of engineering deliverables, while actively mentoring and developing a young, high-performing team. You will also provide hands-on support for technical due diligence, grading analysis, design coordination, and risk reviews where needed to ensure WHC maintains a nimble, responsive posture across all bids and project pursuits.
The ideal candidate is a deeply experienced utility-scale solar professional who can lead from the front—balancing team development, cross-disciplinary engineering management, and tactical execution to drive excellence in project readiness, constructability, and execution alignment. KEY RESPONSIBILITIES Leadership & Team Development
- Lead and manage a growing team of preconstruction managers and technical SMEs accountable for managing technical scope, due diligence, and design coordination for utility-scale solar and BESS pursuits—owning each opportunity as a project through proposal submission and handoff to construction.
- Establish performance standards, provide coaching and mentorship, and drive a culture of ownership, technical rigor, and continuous improvement.
- Drive the creation and refinement of site layouts, civil/structural configurations, electrical designs, and interconnection strategies—optimizing for site limitations while balancing system performance, cost, and schedule.
- Conduct proactive constructability assessments and early-stage value-engineering reviews to identify and mitigate design conflicts, reduce rework, and support smooth field execution.
- Facilitate engineering workshops and cross-functional design reviews—guiding vendor alignment, resolving technical discrepancies, and ensuring field-ready documentation before construction kickoff.
- Ensure all engineering and design work aligns with owner specifications, regulatory requirements, industry standards, and WHC’s constructability and performance benchmarks.
- Oversee coordination with third-party engineers, owners’ engineers, and internal stakeholders to ensure quality, cost-effectiveness, and feasibility of designs.
- Guide site layout optimization, technical and constructability design reviews, grading analysis, H&H and geotechnical reviews, pile design, electrical configurations, and BOP integration with a focus on risk mitigation and field constructability.
- Accountable for design QA/QC processes, submittal reviews, and technical documentation packages delivered by your team.
- Provide leadership during RFP and proposal phases, including due diligence, early design strategy, risk identification, and technical narrative development.
- Collaborate with estimating, procurement, and business development teams to ensure timely, competitive, and technically sound proposals.
- Assign and oversee team support for preconstruction deliverables including conceptual and detailed design packages, permitting support, equipment reviews, and vendor/subcontractor clarifications.
- Coach and support team engagement in construction-phase issue resolution, including design clarifications, field modifications, and technical problem solving.
- Serve as escalation point and mentor for design-related construction issues requiring strategic guidance or direct coordination with engineering partners.
Process & Standards Development
- Lead process improvement initiatives across engineering and preconstruction workflows to improve speed, quality, and consistency.
- Implement best practices for design reviews, technical risk management, and lessons learned integration.
- Standardize templates, tools, and protocols to improve internal alignment and third-party consultant performance.
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required; advanced degree, Professional Engineer (PE) license, or PMP certification strongly preferred.
- Minimum 8–10 years of progressive experience in utility-scale solar PV or energy storage engineering, development, or EPC environments.
- At least 3+ years in a technical leadership or people management role.
- Demonstrated experience leading multidisciplinary engineering efforts through proposals, design, and preconstruction planning phases.
- Strong background working with third-party engineers and managing technical delivery across multiple projects.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, Civil 3D, ArcGIS Pro, PVSyst, and Microsoft Office Suite.
- Deep understanding of civil grading, structural and electrical design, pile design, interconnection requirements, and SCADA/controls.
- Familiar with geotechnical reports, floodplain studies, and permitting requirements for large-scale solar projects.
- Strong grasp of construction logistics, schedule sequencing, and contractor coordination in EPC delivery models.
- Willingness to travel (15-25%) for client meetings, site visits, and project reviews.
Leadership & Communication
- Proven team leadership skills, with a track record of developing early-career professionals into high performers.
- Strong verbal and written communication abilities, especially in translating complex technical details into clear direction for stakeholders.
- Ability to manage multiple competing priorities, make timely decisions, and lead by example in a lean, high-trust environment.
This is a full-time, in-office position based at our office in The Woodlands, TX. REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Senior Manager, Engineering & Preconstruction reports to the Director of Engineering and Preconstruction. EEO Statement WHC Energy Services is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veterans’ status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law. We thank all applicants in advance. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted. We thank all applicants in advance. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.
Recommended Jobs
Parts Sales Representative
Job Description Job Description Lonestar Forklift ?is a customer-focused material handling equipment dealership with over 30 years of proven success and 10 branch locations in Texas. Lonestar off…
Full Time Family Practice Job San Antonio, TX
San Antonio is a popular Texas city known for its scenic River Walk, which makes getting around downtown a breeze with shaded pathways that connect hundreds of shops, restaurants, hotels, historic lan…
Electrical Procurement Specialist
With over 18 years of experience and hundreds of million-dollar projects completed, Hays Electrical Services provides excellent service to customers in hospitality, commercial, and solar industry. Ha…
Portfolio Manager III
Req ID: 77104 Location: Dallas -DAL, Denver -DEN, Fort Worth -FTWT, Oklahoma City -OKC, Tulsa -TUL Areas of Interest: Commercial Banking, Health Care Pay Transparency Salary Range: …
Commercial Construction Project Manager/Estimator
&##127959;️ Lead Projects with Precision - Join RM Rodriguez Construction as a Commercial Construction Project Manager/Estimator ! &##127959;️ Position Title: Commerical Construction Project Manag…
Senior Accountant
Match Group is a leading provider of dating products available globally. Our portfolio includes Tinder, Match, OkCupid, Hinge, PlentyOfFish, and others, each designed to help singles find a meaningfu…
Wet Utilities Pipe Layer Helper
DNT Construction is now hiring several Pipe Layer Helpers for our Austin Wet Utilities Austin area projects! The Wet Utilities Department supports the underground utility systems by properly bac…
District Manager
Benefits: ~401(k) ~Competitive salary ~Health insurance ~Paid time off Industry: Fitness/wellness industry Job Description: Progressive fitness/wellness concept making their initial entr…
Principal Data Engineer (Remote - Texas)
This position is posted by Jobgether on behalf of Self Financial, Inc. We are currently looking for a Principal Data Engineer in Texas (USA) . This senior role offers the opportunity to lead an…
Product Manager
Product Manager – NODA AI Location: Austin, TX (Hybrid on-site, with up to 20% travel) Clearance Requirement: U.S. Citizen with the ability to obtain a security clearance About NODA NO…