Project Manager - Power Generation

Brunel has partnered with SB Energy to hire a Project Manager – Power Generation to support the execution of utility-scale thermal generation projects. Backed by SoftBank and Ares, SB Energy develops, builds, owns, and operates large-scale power and data center infrastructure projects across the U.S.

In this role, you will be responsible for the successful execution of utility-scale power generation projects, with a primary focus on combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plants, from Limited Notice-to-Proceed (LNTP) through Final Completion (FC). You will lead project delivery across budget, schedule, safety, contracts, construction, commissioning, and commercial operation while coordinating EPC partners, OEMs, suppliers, consultants, and internal teams.

About SB Energy:

SB Energy is a fast-growing energy and infrastructure company backed by SoftBank and Ares. Headquartered in Redwood City, California, they develop, build, own, and operate large-scale power and data center infrastructure across the United States.

Since launching in 2019, SB Energy has quickly become a leading integrated platform with more than 3 GW in operation and a strong pipeline of future projects nationwide. Their team combines innovation, technical expertise, and execution excellence to deliver reliable, secure, and forward-thinking infrastructure that helps power America’s future.

About the role:

The Project Manager (“PM”) is responsible for the successful execution of SB Energy's utility-scale thermal generation projects, with a primary focus on combined-cycle natural gas-fired power plants, beginning at Limited Notice-to-Proceed (“LNTP”) through Final Completion (“FC”).

The PM is responsible for project budget, schedule, safety performance, contract compliance, and overall project delivery during the construction phase. The PM will manage Engineering, Procurement and Construction (“EPC”) partners, Original Equipment Manufacturers (“OEMs”), major equipment suppliers, and consultants; leverage and coordinate SB Energy's internal expertise; and serve as the primary representative for the project both internally and externally.

The PM is expected to be a primary decision-maker in day-to-day project execution while escalating material commercial, safety, regulatory, technical, or schedule impacts as appropriate.

At SB Energy our values are more than words on a page—they are the foundation for how we operate, make decisions, and measure success. As a PM, you are not just responsible for driving business outcomes but also for embodying and reinforcing our culture. A PM is a culture champion, both within and outside of the organization. You lead with an ownership mindset, ensuring that challenges are met with solutions. You take initiative in fostering connection—whether by being the first to check in on a colleague or showing up fully engaged to meetings and being a magnanimous leader. Beyond driving project success, you cultivate a thriving project team environment by welcoming diverse perspectives, fostering collaboration, and ensuring that every voice is heard. Most importantly, you pursue our mission with joy—approaching each challenge with resilience and a commitment to making a meaningful impact.

Location: On-site, Portsmouth, OH

Responsibilities:

Project Execution & Delivery

• Ownership of utility-scale power generation projects from Limited Notice-to-Proceed (“LNTP”) through Final Completion and commercial operation.
• Manage turnkey EPC contract(s) for combined-cycle natural gas power generation facilities, including balance-of-plant systems, interconnection facilities, and supporting infrastructure.
• Maintain project budget, including contingency utilization, cash flow forecasting, invoicing, and financial reporting.
• Maintain and manage the overall project schedule; Primavera P6 experience strongly preferred.
• Coordinate major equipment procurement, manufacturing oversight, delivery, installation, startup, commissioning, performance testing, and project closeout activities.
• Oversee construction activities associated with gas turbines, steam turbines, heat recovery steam generators (HRSGs), cooling systems, electrical systems, and transmission interconnection facilities.
• Ensure projects achieve required performance guarantees, reliability metrics, and commercial operation milestones.

Commercial, Contract, and Risk Management

• Develop and manage project risks, scope changes, and commercial exposures; proactively identify mitigation strategies and align internal and external stakeholders.
• Assist SB Energy Legal and Procurement teams in negotiating and executing EPC contracts, OEM agreements, long-term service agreements (LTSAs), fuel supply agreements, and other project execution contracts.
• Maintain contractual, regulatory, and environmental compliance in close coordination with Legal, Environmental, and Development teams.
• Coordinate with lenders' independent engineers, owner's engineers, and technical advisors to support financing milestones, monthly draws, and financial close activities.
• Manage contractor claims, change orders, schedule recovery plans, and commercial negotiations throughout project execution.

Stakeholder & External Interface

• Provide regular project updates to SB Energy leadership, investors, lenders, utility partners, and external stakeholders.
• Interface with natural gas utilities, transmission providers, balancing authorities, power purchasers, and regional grid operators to ensure project milestones and obligations are achieved.
• Engage with federal, state, and local permitting agencies to support permit issuance, modifications, compliance reporting, and project closeout.
• Support community outreach efforts and maintain productive relationships with local stakeholders and authorities having jurisdiction.

Team Leadership & Internal Coordination

• Coordinate cross-functionally with internal teams including Development, Power Marketing, Interconnection, Engineering, Capital Markets, Environmental, Permitting, Procurement, Quality, Real Estate, Safety, Operations, and Asset Management to ensure project success.
• Assist in the handoff of projects from the Development team to the Projects team at LNTP and manage the transition to Operations and Asset Management at Final Completion and commercial operation.
• Directly manage project-specific Project Coordinator(s) and/or Associate Project Manager(s), delegating responsibilities and providing mentorship.
• Coordinate with SB Energy field teams to ensure on-site supervision and execution of EPC contracts meet safety, quality, environmental, and performance expectations.
• Foster a culture of safety, accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement across project teams and contractor organizations.

Qualifications/Requirements:

• At least 7-10+ years of professional experience.
• 5+ years of experience managing utility-scale power generation projects, preferably including combined-cycle natural gas, simple-cycle gas turbine, thermal generation, or large industrial energy infrastructure projects.
• Demonstrated experience managing EPC contracts and major equipment suppliers for power generation facilities.
• Strong understanding of power plant construction, commissioning, startup, and performance testing processes.
• Familiarity with gas turbines, steam turbines, HRSG, electrical balance-of-plant, and transmission interconnection systems.
• Experience with project financing processes, lender requirements, and independent engineer coordination preferred.
• Ability to travel approximately 25–50% of the time, as needed.
• Expertise in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools; experience with Monday.com and Primavera P6 strongly preferred.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, Construction Management, Project Management, or equivalent experience preferred.
• Experience working with utilities, grid operators, regulatory agencies, and major EPC contractors preferred.

Compensation & Benefits

Base salary: $140,000–$170,000.

The pay range mentioned above is a guideline. We tailor each offer based on your unique skills, experience, location, and market benchmarks—while ensuring internal parity across our teams. In addition to competitive base pay, total compensation may include a discretionary annual bonus and a market leading comprehensive health and wellness benefits package. Final details will be discussed during the later stages of the hiring process.

At SB Energy, we invest in our people and their families with benefits designed for flexibility, support, and peace of mind. Full-time employees enjoy:

• 100% Company-Paid Medical, Dental & Vision (for employees and dependents)
• 401(k) with Company Match
• Generous Paid Time Off + 11 Paid Holidays
• 12 Weeks Paid Parental Leave
• Life, AD&D & Long-Term Disability Coverage
• Flexible Spending Accounts (FSA) for Medical, Dependent Care, Transit & Parking (with company contributions)
• Mental, Physical & Social Wellness Support (with company contributions
• Monthly Reimbursement for Phone, Internet & Data
• Optional Legal & Pet Insurance Plans
• Device Purchase Support

To learn more about SB Energy, visit www.sbenergy.com.