Job Description

Project Technical Manager – High Voltage / Grid Connection

Want to join a frontrunner in renewable energy and be part of a global team working together towards our vision – Improving our Future?

Currently, we are looking for a Project Technical Manager – High Voltage / Grid Connection to join our team. The Project Technical Manager will be responsible for all technical deliverables related to high-voltage infrastructure, substations and grid connection across dedicated renewable energy projects, or a portfolio of linked projects, from project structuring and pre-construction through EPC execution, commissioning, energisation, grid compliance and technical handover.

The desired end-result is to ensure that projects are delivered according to planned timeline, cost and quality through:

• thoughtful and robust project structuring that understands and actively considers all high-voltage, grid connection, TSO, utility, permitting, construction and commissioning constraints
• careful management of the detailed engineering process, ensuring high-voltage engineering deliverables are provided timeously, in line with the project programme, grid requirements, functional requirements and applicable standards
• strong technical coordination with the TSO, grid operator, EPC contractors, substation contractors, equipment suppliers, consultants, lenders’ technical advisors and internal stakeholders
• a structured and proactive approach to construction, energisation, commissioning and handover of substations and grid connection assets

To achieve this, the Project Technical Manager will plan, manage and facilitate all technical tasks and processes related to HV infrastructure, with the support of the Engineering team, ensuring projects are structured and delivered in a technically compliant manner as required by the Project Technical Function.

Main purpose of position

As our Project Technical Manager – High Voltage / Grid Connection, you will take technical ownership of HV and grid connection scope from pre-construction through to commissioning and technical handover. You will manage the technical interface between engineering, project management, supply chain, EPC contractors, substation contractors, TSOs, utilities, equipment suppliers, consultants and internal stakeholders.

This role requires a strong engineering and project management profile, with proven experience in high-voltage infrastructure, developer-side and/or EPC-side renewable energy projects, and building substations from start to finish. The successful candidate will be expected to manage technical delivery, lead the HV design and interface management process, support procurement and contracting, manage grid connection risks, and ensure successful energisation, commissioning and handover.

Main responsibilities

Support to Structuring Phase of Projects

During the structuring and pre-construction phase, the Project Technical Manager has three key functions:

• review and approval of technical supply and construction contracts, ensuring the HV scope, substation and grid connection solution are technically compliant with the PPA, Grid Code, connection agreement, project permits, licensing conditions, Scatec functional requirements, project programme and other critical project documents
• ensuring the project programme is realistic and accurately considers HV design timelines, long-lead equipment procurement, TSO approvals, grid studies, construction sequencing, energisation, commissioning, testing and local Grid Code compliance requirements

These responsibilities include:

• Plan and manage engineering resources to ensure technical tasks are completed and delivered on time, especially with regards to detailed design, HV interfaces, TSO requirements and contract technical inputs
• Ensure all technical parameters in the project documents, including functional requirements, Grid Code requirements, connection agreements, permits, PPA requirements and environmental constraints, are incorporated into the final project design
• Manage and facilitate the HV design process, including substation concept design, detailed design, single-line diagrams, layouts, equipment specifications, protection philosophy, control and communication interfaces, earthing, lightning protection, auxiliary systems and grid compliance
• Manage the technical interface with the TSO, grid operator and utility to ensure alignment on connection requirements, approval processes, energisation strategy, testing requirements and commissioning procedures
• Manage and interface with EPC contractors, substation contractors, civil contractors, equipment suppliers, consultants and internal engineering teams to establish, negotiate and align all technical aspects of the HV scope
• Support Supply Chain with technical inputs to RFPs, EPC proposals, substation contractor proposals, HV equipment procurement and key supply contracts
• Review EPC, substation, grid connection and equipment supplier proposals for technical and contractual compliance
• Manage the technical scoring and evaluation of bids, equipment, contractors, substation suppliers and consultants
• Manage the process to complete the technical schedules of relevant project contracts, including EPC, substation construction, transformer supply, switchgear supply, protection and control, SCADA, grid connection and associated agreements
• Prepare formal technical requests, responses and clarifications towards contractors, consultants, suppliers, TSOs, utilities and external stakeholders
• Lead and manage the technical due diligence process towards lenders’ technical advisors and employer’s technical advisors
• Assist the Project Manager to establish, update and mitigate technical risks through an effective Risk Register
• Identify and manage key HV risks, including grid connection delays, TSO approval timelines, long-lead equipment delivery, design changes, interface gaps, energisation constraints and commissioning risks
• Set up document control and technical filing protocols to proactively limit time from COD to TTO
• Represent and drive the technical solution when interfacing with internal stakeholders such as the SPV, Asset Management, Business Development, Engineering, Supply Chain, Project Finance and other relevant functions

Support to Projects in Delivery / Execution

• Follow up and coordinate engineering discussions with EPC contractors, substation contractors, subcontractors, suppliers, consultants, TSOs and utilities on all technical matters
• Manage and assess design change requests, ensuring appropriate review and approval by the Lead Engineer and Project Manager
• Assist Supply Chain with closing out and clarifying key supply contract schedules and technical requirements
• Clarify and agree technical interfaces with the TSO, grid operator, utility, EPC contractor, substation contractor and equipment suppliers
• Ensure all technical standards, specifications and project requirements are defined prior to the start of construction
• Visit site on a regular basis to ensure HV construction is being implemented according to the approved design, project requirements, applicable standards and desired quality
• Plan and manage technical resources, including internal engineering teams and external consultants, throughout execution to ensure resources are available as needed and notified in advance
• Provide early warning to the Project Manager on any technical issue that may influence connection dates, energisation, commissioning, cost, quality or the final performance of the plant
• Ensure Scatec remains compliant with its contractual obligations set out in the project documents
• Contribute to relevant project reporting, including bi-weekly, monthly and technical progress reports
• Assist the Quality Department with input into technical queries, non-conformances and corrective actions
• Attend and support project meetings with contractors, suppliers, TSOs, utilities, grid operators and internal stakeholders
• Establish the HV energisation, commissioning, testing and utility compliance plans and procedures
• Plan and manage the commissioning phase of the HV scope in coordination with the Site Commissioning Manager, Site Construction Manager, EPC contractor, substation contractor, equipment suppliers and TSO

The Project Technical Manager is not expected to be the detailed design expert in every HV discipline, but is expected to have a strong understanding of the core design philosophy of high-voltage infrastructure, particularly regarding substations, transformers, switchgear, protection and control, grid connection, communication systems, SCADA, metering, commissioning, guarantees, warranties, contractor variation order assessments and technical handover.

Similarly, the Project Technical Manager is not expected to be a legal or project finance expert but should have clear experience and understanding of project finance structures and the techno-commercial inputs required for successful project delivery.

Qualifications and Competencies

• Degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering, Electromechanical Engineering or similar engineering discipline
• Master’s degree in Engineering or Project Management would be advantageous
• 7+ years of engineering, project engineering or technical project management experience in high-voltage infrastructure, grid connection, substations, renewable energy or power generation projects
• Mandatory technical background in high-voltage systems
• Proven experience building substations from start to finish, including design, procurement, construction, testing, energisation, commissioning and handover
• Strong understanding of grid connection processes and experience interfacing with TSOs, utilities and grid operators
• Experience with HV substations, transformers, switchgear, protection and control, SCADA, metering, communications, earthing, auxiliary systems, HV cables and/or overhead lines
• Experience with EPC, grid connection, substation construction, equipment supply, O&M and related project contracts
• Experience managing detailed engineering, design reviews, technical clarifications, construction interfaces and commissioning readiness
• Good understanding of Grid Code compliance, energisation procedures, commissioning tests and utility approval processes
• Excellent knowledge of MS Office, project reporting and technical documentation management
• Experience with project planning tools such as MS Project or Primavera would be advantageous
• Project Management certification would be advantageous
• Able and willing to travel to project sites frequently

Personal characteristics

It is part of every employee’s terms of reference to contribute to Scatec’s vision: Improving our Future, and adhere to our company values:

• Predictable: demonstrate clear communication and listening skills; share information in an open and honest way
• Driving results: demonstrate determination and proactiveness; prioritise effectively and work independently
• Changemaker: demonstrate entrepreneurship; challenge constructively, learn fast, take initiative and adapt
• Working together: demonstrate teamwork, share responsibilities, compromise when needed and bring a can-do attitude

We offer

Scatec is an exciting, innovative and ambitious company operating in a growing industry. We offer a challenging and interesting position where you will be part of a flexible, diverse and truly international working environment, consisting of highly competent and committed colleagues with a positive drive to make a difference.

Scatec is an equal opportunity employer and values diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status or any other basis protected by appropriate law. All hiring decisions are made based on merit, competence and business need.

Applications will be processed on a continuous basis.