Assistant Project Leader Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Department: Operations

Reports to: Project Director

Location: Chattanooga Office, Houston Office, Or Remote

Supervisors: Assistant Project Manager, Project Engineers, Field Engineers, Project Superintendent, Co-Ops and Interns

Works closely with: Owners, Senior Project Manager, Project Engineers, Field Construction Staff, Preconstruction, Procurement, Scheduling, Quality, and Safety 

Role Overview:

The Project Manager is responsible for leading the full lifecycle execution of large-scale utility solar EPC projects. This role ensures projects are delivered safely, on schedule, within budget, and in compliance with contract requirements and quality standards. The Project Manager provides day-to-day leadership to the project team, manages client relationships, and drives proactive decision-making to keep work on track. This position requires a skilled, hands-on project leader capable of navigating complex technical, commercial, and construction challenges while maintaining a strong commitment to safety, teamwork, and disciplined project controls.

Key Responsibilities:

1. Project Leadership & Execution

• Lead and oversee all project activities from contract award through final acceptance by the client.
• Ensure project execution aligns with design requirements, construction best practices, budget constraints, and schedule commitments.
• Participate in preconstruction efforts, including estimating, constructability reviews, and buyout support.
• Solve problems quickly and directly through active engagement with field teams, subcontractors, and stakeholders.

1. Safety & Quality Leadership:

• Champion a strong safety culture and ensure full adherence to Signal Energy’s safety standards, OSHA regulations, and site-specific requirements.
• Promote proactive hazard identification, mitigation planning, and continuous improvement in safety performance.
• Work with the Quality team to ensure compliance with project specifications, inspection requirements, and corrective action processes.

1. Project Controls & Financial Management:

• Maintain accurate cost reports, forecasts, and financial projections.
• Manage project budgets, including labor, materials, subcontractors, equipment, and change events.
• Ensure timely and accurate contract administration, including submittals, RFIs, change orders, notices, and closeout documentation.
• Support financial reporting to leadership with clear explanations of trends, risks, and variances.

1. Schedule Management:

• Develop, maintain, and monitor project schedules in coordination with internal scheduling resources.
• Identify critical path activities and manage recovery plans to maintain key milestones.
• Ensure schedule updates include narrative explanations of delays, recovery efforts, and mitigation strategies.

1. Client & Stakeholder Management:

• Serve as the primary day-to-day contact for the client, ensuring professional communication and alignment on expectations.
• Maintain strong working relationships with subcontractors, vendors, and internal functional partners.
• Address client concerns promptly and ensure project teams uphold Signal’s reputation for integrity and professionalism.

1. Team Leadership & Development:

• Lead, supervise, and mentor project staff, fostering a collaborative, accountable, and high-performing team culture.
• Provide coaching and development opportunities for Assistant PMs, PEs, and Field Engineers.
• Support succession planning and development of future project leaders.

1. Risk Management:

• Proactively identify project risks and drive mitigation planning across safety, quality, schedule, commercial, and technical domains.
• Elevate high-impact risks to senior leadership and ensure timely corrective actions.

1. Reporting & Communication:

• Provide consistent and transparent reporting on progress, risks, financials, and milestones.
• Prepare and lead internal and external project meetings, ensuring clarity, accountability, and follow-through.

Primary Skills/Experience/Abilities:

• Strong leadership and team management capabilities.
• Deep understanding of EPC construction practices, renewable energy technologies, and utility-scale solar installations.
• Knowledge of construction safety standards, OSHA requirements, and environmental compliance.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply IFC drawings, specifications, and technical documents.
• Strong analytical, mathematical, and problem-solving skills.
• Exceptional communication skills – verbal, written, and interpersonal – with the ability to build trust and influence.
• Proficiency in project management tools (e.g., P6, MS Project) and financial reporting systems.
• High level of initiative, ownership, and adaptability.

Preferred Education/Experience: 

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, construction management, renewable energy, or relevant field.
• Minimum 5 years project management experience in utility scale solar or large-scale renewable energy projects.

Preferred Certificates/Licenses: 

• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.
• OSHA 10-hour safety certification.
• First Aid/CPR Certification.

Metrics of Success

Performance in this role will be evaluated based on:

• On-time, on-budget project delivery.
• Safety leadership, TRIR, and proactive hazard management.
• Quality performance and compliance with contract requirements.
• Client satisfaction and relationship management.
• Effective team leadership, mentorship, and collaboration.
• Risk identification, mitigation, and resolution.

Important Interview Policy: To ensure a focused conversation and protect the privacy of both our candidates and team members, the use of AI note-takers, recording devices, or real-time transcription software is strictly prohibited during this interview. If an unauthorized bot joins the meeting, our team will ask for it to be removed before beginning the interview. Thank you for your cooperation!

CoVolt Power is an Equal Opportunity Employer and uses E-Verify.

We are not accepting resumes from Third Party Recruiting Firms for positions posted on our careers page. If you are an Agency or Search firm representative, contact the CoVolt Power Talent Acquisition Manager directly at talent.acquisition@covolt.com for consideration. CoVolt Power or its affiliates will not be responsible for any fees arising from the use of resumes and online response forms through this source. In addition, CoVolt Power or its affiliates will not be responsible for any fees on unsolicited resumes that are submitted to any member of the Staffing or Operations team. CoVolt Power has established an approved vendor program for this service, and will only consider accepting submissions from those approved firms