Project Manager (Data Centers)

About the role

WSP is seeking a Project Manager (Data Centers) to join the team in Houston, TX, with additional consideration for San Diego, CA, New York, NY, Portland, OR, and Seattle, WA. This position can be offered remotely. You will help deliver the electrical infrastructure that enables next-generation data center campuses, working across the full project lifecycle for some of the industry's most prominent clients. This role offers collaboration across WSP's global organization, working alongside top experts to solve highly complex infrastructure challenges. You will contribute to the planning and design of substations, transmission interconnections, and site electrical infrastructure while supporting fast-paced projects that demand innovation, technical excellence, and strong collaboration.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee cross-functional teams delivering power distribution and utility engineering projects, ensuring execution of design and construction deliverables.
• Manage multiple concurrent projects involving distribution lines, feeders, and grid infrastructure upgrades, including budgets, schedule, cost control, and resource allocation.
• Develop and manage project scopes, cost estimates, schedules, and resource plans for utility capital improvement programs and distribution projects.
• Build and maintain Work Breakdown Structures (WBS) aligned with engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) project delivery models.
• Ensure compliance with utility standards, environmental regulations, permitting requirements, and safety protocols (OSHA, utility HSE standards).
• Participate in proposal development, RFP responses, and business development efforts within the power & energy market.
• Perform margin analysis, risk assessments, and contingency planning for power delivery projects.
• Coordinate contract negotiations, client presentations, and stakeholder meetings with utilities, municipalities, and regulatory agencies.
• Develop and maintain project plans including PMP, Safety Plans, Risk Management Plans, and QA/QC procedures.
• Collaborate with engineering teams specializing in all aspects of distribution design.
• Partner with Project Accounting to manage financials including forecasting, earned value management (EVM), and profitability tracking.
• Lead efforts in change management, scope control, and claims mitigation.
• Coordinate with technical managers on staffing for overhead and underground distribution projects.
• Ensure adherence to health, safety, and environmental (HSE) standards, escalating issues when necessary.
• Provide reporting to clients and leadership on project performance, risks, schedule, and budget status.
• Manage project closeout activities, including lessons learned and continuous improvement for future projects.
• Stay current on power industry trends, grid resilience, distributed energy resources (DER), and electrification initiatives.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, or related field.
• 7+ years of experience managing projects in power distribution, transmission & distribution (T&D), or utility engineering environments.
• Proven experience delivering feeder, distribution line, or grid modernization projects.
• Strong understanding of utility operations, power systems engineering, and electrical distribution design.
• Familiarity with NERC, IEEE standards, NEC codes, and utility regulatory requirements.
• Experience with EPC project delivery, capital programs, and infrastructure projects within the energy sector.
• Strong analytical, organizational, and problem-solving skills in complex utility environments.
• Excellent communication and stakeholder management skills working with utilities, clients, regulators, and internal engineering teams.
• Experience with project management tools (MS Project, Primavera P6), financial tracking, and reporting systems.
• Ability to lead multidisciplinary teams including engineering, design, procurement, and construction professionals.
• Knowledge of QA/QC processes, risk management, and safety compliance in utility projects.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's Degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• PMI Certification (PMP or CAPM).

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $102,200 - $182,200

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $95,000 - $159,000

Compensation is based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location.

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee's career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.