Apprentice Project Manager Jobs in Columbia, MD (NOW HIRING)

The Solar PV Project Manager is responsible for the full lifecycle of commercial and utility-scale solar construction projects—from early-stage diligence, planning and preconstruction through execution, commissioning, and closeout. This role integrates strategic planning, diligence, permitting, budgeting, and stakeholder coordination to ensure high quality projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. The Project Manager serves as the central point of accountability across engineering, development, construction, and finance teams.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities:

• Preconstruction Planning & Coordination
  • Lead preconstruction efforts from concept through mobilization.
  • Conduct constructability reviews, feasibility assessments, and site evaluations.
  • Conduct site visits during project diligence phase.
  • Coordinate topographical surveys, geotechnical investigations, and site access.
  • Develop scopes, timelines, and deliverables in collaboration with engineering, permitting, and development teams.
  • Organize and manage RFI and Value Engineering logs, and Risk logs.
  • Document meetings with developers, contractors, and internal stakeholders.
• Construction Oversight
  • Manage multiple solar construction projects at various stages.
  • Oversee EPC relationships, qualifications, and contractor selection.
  • Conduct site visits for initial construction and QA/QC during buildout.
  • Ensure compliance with SSI technical specifications and local standards.
  • Maintain construction phase safety and Prevailing Wage and Apprenticeship compliance.
• Documentation & Reporting
  • Maintain logs for drawings, submittals, RFIs, COs, PCOs, and deficiencies.
  • Prepare and manage meeting minutes and project updates.
  • Organize and maintain commercial project folders in SharePoint and Procore.
  • Prepare construction kick-off documentation including staging plans, safety plans, and quality plans.
  • Support all documentation requests from Structured Finance
• Stakeholder Communication
  • Run internal Integrated Project Team meetings and external contractor calls.
  • Serve as the primary point of contact for internal teams, contractors, and external partners.
  • Provide regular updates to senior leadership and development partners.
  • Maintain accurate up to date information in ERP and CRM databases.  Namely, schedule milestones, contractor information, budget and cost to date data.
• Budgeting & Estimating
  • Prepare detailed CAPEX budgets.
  • Engage in value engineering efforts to optimize cost without compromising quality.
  • Manage RFPs for subcontractors and third-party engineering scopes, including bid leveling and scope gap analysis.
  • Develop initial construction schedules and cash flow projections.
• Contract Management
  • Engage turn-key EPC partners and key subcontractors.
  • Develop detailed Scope of Work exhibit for each agreement, tailored to the project.
  • Prepare all EPC contract exhibits and lead negotiation of technical and commercial terms while coordinating with the Team Lead, General Manager and inside counsel.
  • Manage all EPC and subcontract agreements.
  • Review, document and process change orders.
• Permitting & Regulatory Compliance
  • Contract and manage third party civil engineers in development of permit matrices for each project.
  • Oversee local, state, and federal permitting processes executed by EPC partners and subcontractors.
  • Ensure compliance with safety and environmental regulations.
• Design & Engineering Support
  • Interface with internal and external engineers to review system designs.
  • Ensure constructability and value engineering are integrated into design.
  • Support utility upgrade construction coordination as well as witness test scheduling.
• Scheduling & Execution Strategy
  • Maintain project schedules using look-ahead planning and Critical Path Method.
  • Identify and mitigate schedule risks and delays.
  • Plan and monitor major material deliveries to avoid disruptions.
  • Confirm feasibility of sequencing, logistics, and mobilization plans.
• Quality Assurance & Closeout
  • Develop and manage project quality control programs.
  • Oversee commissioning, punch-list resolution, and warranty follow-ups.
  • Prepare closeout documentation including O&M manuals.
  • Coordinate hand-off meetings with asset management.
• Process Improvement & Standardization
  • Analyze and update SOPs for preconstruction and construction workflows.
  • Ensure compliance with internal stage-gate and project handoff procedures.
  • Promote continuous improvement across estimating, engineering, and transaction functions.

• Bachelor’s degree in construction management, Engineering, Renewable Energy, or related field.
• 5+ years of experience in solar PV project management or preconstruction.
• Strong understanding of permitting, interconnection, site development, and EPC processes.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., Procore, NetSuite, Salesforce, MS Project, Bluebeam).
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and leadership skills.
• PMP or equivalent certification preferred.
• NABCEP PVIP certification preferred, required within 2 years of hire.

Work Environment

• This job operates in a fully in-person work environment, five days per week at our Rockville, MD headquarters, with office and field/site visits.
• Ability to travel to project sites (local and out-of-state).
• Must be able to walk and navigate uneven terrain during site visits.
• May require PPE on active construction sites.
• Position Type/Expected Hours of Work:
  • This is a full-time in-person position, and hours of work and days are typically Monday through Friday, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m.
• Travel:
  • This position will travel to local solar installations and job sites to conduct tours with potential customers and others. 
• Physical Demands
  • While performing the duties of this job, the employee is regularly required to talk or hear. The employee is frequently required to stand; walk; use hands to finger, handle or feel; and reach with hands and arms.  Physical working conditions may also involve the following:
  • Lifting up to 50 pounds.
  • Extended periods of sitting, walking, standing, reaching and/or bending.
  • Extended periods of reading fine print on a computer or in paper-based format.
• AAP/EEO Statement
  • Standard Solar is EOE/AA/Minority/Female/Veteran/Disabled employer.