Company Description
Viridon is a dynamic Chicago-based start-up company, formed in 2023 to expedite the clean energy transition by investing in and managing electric transmission facilities across North America. We deliver transmission solutions to meet America’s growing need for carbon-free electricity.
As a Blackstone portfolio company, Viridon benefits from the exceptional financial and organizational resources of the world’s largest alternative asset manager. We seek diverse and experienced applicants to join our growing team and help us build an impactful and enduring business. The successful candidate will receive an attractive compensation and benefits package, including equity participation, commensurate with skills and experience.
Position Description
The Manager, Principal Engineer will be part of Viridon’s Engineering & Construction team and leading and managing the design of assigned transmission line projects from conception (Early Stage) through construction and final commissioning/turnover to O&M. The ideal candidate will have strong technical experience in transmission line design and construction (OHL & UG), excellent communication and project management skills, a bias for action, proven analytical and problem-solving skills, and an ability to optimize designs through value engineering and ensure project quality targets are met or exceeded. This is a hybrid work position, with primarily remote work combined with regular time required in the corporate office in Chicago as determined by management. Strong preference will be given to candidates located within commuting distance to Chicago. The position reports to the Managing Director E&C and will work closely with other members of the team.
Key Responsibilities
•Work within the Viridon Engineering team to define and influence the project requirements and scope ensuring alignment with the proposal strategy of Viridon’s Development Group. Projects generally begin as FERC 1000 competitive transmission project proposals but may also involve acquisitions of existing utility assets. The candidate will also be responsible for the detailed engineering of projects following project award.
•Proposal Phase - secure engineering and third-party consulting resources required to appropriately and adequately support the team’s proposal efforts that are consistent with the specific RFP requirements as defined in the ISO/RTO RFP documents or developed by the Viridon team.
•Execution Phase – following award of a project, develop RFP and scope documents for each specialty consulting service required during detailed engineering (e.g. Transmission Line, Lidar, Geotech, etc.). Administer RFP process and select consultants based on a formal economic and technical comparative analysis.
•The candidate will be responsible for the direction of the consultant’s activities, conducting design reviews/optimizing designs, developing the project specific design requirements document, interpreting and applying code requirements, defining RFP deliverables, and managing all work to the prescribed deadlines during proposal and execution phases.
•Close coordination with other project stakeholders to identify and develop a transmission line route, and permits necessary to design and develop the project, including geotechnical and lidar data.
•Close coordination with other groups inside and outside of Viridon to ensure the projects are successful and aligned with Viridon’s strategic business objectives.
•Generally responsible for providing a single E&C project point of contact and owner’s engineer for both internal and external personnel and groups on assigned projects, including presentations/briefing on current progress, issues, procurement concerns/strategy, construction planning, and risk mitigation in meetings with other Viridon personnel.
•Perform other job-related duties as assigned
Required Education
Bachelor of Science in Engineering or Engineering Technology
Required Qualifications and Experience
•Minimum of 3 years as a technical lead designing high voltage (i.e. >100kV) transmission facilities; either transmission lines or substations.
•Minimum of 7 years of direct experience in the development, design, engineering, and construction of high voltage (>100kV) transmission line and substation projects
•The position requires technical competence such as the ability to understand one line and three-line diagrams, general arrangements, plan and profiles, efficient design principles (i.e., as-installed cost factors), and other common deliverables/concepts.
•Supporting FERC Order 1000 RFPs will require the candidate to demonstrate adaptability to a dynamic environment with projects often characterized by rapidly evolving technical solutions, changing priorities, and demanding deadlines.
•Knowledge of procurement and construction planning specific to transmission lines
Preferred Knowledge & Experience
•Certified Professional Engineer (PE) – highly preferred
•At least 2 years of experience developing designs for FERC Order 1000 proposals
•Experience with substation design and basic knowledge of equipment function
•Knowledge of Critical Path Scheduling and Cost Estimating for transmission line projects
•Working knowledge of standard industry tools such as PLSCADD, Auto-CAD, Primavera/MS Project, MS Office, and other software is strongly desired.
•Certified Project Management Professional (PMP)
Other Skills, Knowledge and Attributes
•Strong time management and organizational skills to effectively prioritize multiple projects and perform under tight deadlines
•Work effectively across the internal team and build collaboration with consultants and other stakeholders
•Entrepreneurial spirit that can excel in and be part of building a growing organization
•Excellent English written and oral communications skills
•Ability to travel 10-15% of working days (in North America)
•Valid Driver's License (Non-CDL)