Contract Project Manager Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Helix Electric was founded in 1985 and is now one of the nation’s largest and most successful electrical contracting companies. Our commitment to empowering people and powering projects is realized by our exceptional team of dedicated and highly skilled experts working together and never settling for good enough. We are proud of the team-oriented and employee-empowered business approach that defines our unique character.

We are looking for an experienced Project Manager to lead electrical construction projects in the Santa Clarita and/or Inland Empire area, with a strong focus on water/wastewater and heavy industrial environments. This role is responsible for building strong project teams, delivering high-quality work, meeting customer expectations, and ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget.

The ideal candidate brings strong technical knowledge in power distribution, instrumentation and controls, and industrial construction, along with proven success managing financial performance, customer relationships, and project execution.

DUTIES & SCOPE:

• Develop and build strong teams for each project while delivering quality output, meeting customer expectations, managing to scope, delivering on time, and delivering within budget.

• Drive division profitability through effective project execution.

• Develop and lead project management technical and schedule goals, procurement and contractual requirements, personnel assignments, and capacity planning.

• Evaluate and continually improve the systems and processes used by the department to effectively meet customer requirements and profitability goals.

• Manage, mentor, and develop a group of approximately 3 direct and 10 total reports.

• Review the overall contractual requirements for all projects and specific process design methodology for individual projects as required.

• Ensure schedule requirements are met for all projects and readily adjust priorities and milestones based on changing customer needs, resource availability, and job requirements.

• Interact with customers to validate expectations are understood and met after, during, and after project completion.

• Provide oversight for third-party construction firms.

• Manage the project review process with particular emphasis on financial forecasting.

• Ensure high-quality engineering, studies, and Helix project delivery.

• Proactively and systematically communicate challenges, risks, and successes.

• Oversee invoicing per project terms and negotiate appropriate change orders.

QUALIFICATIONS:

• 5+ years of dedicated project management experience in electrical commercial, mixed-use, and/or water/wastewater construction.
• Strong experience managing heavy industrial electrical, instrumentation, and control scopes.
• Solid understanding of medium- and low-voltage power distribution systems, including switchgear, motor control centers (MCCs), variable frequency drives (VFDs), generators, and transformers typical of treatment plants and pump stations.
• Solid understanding of SCADA systems, programmable logic controllers (PLCs), fiber optic networks, and instrumentation installation and loop checks.
• Understanding of engineering principles in electric power.
• Field experience coordinating with construction management.
• Extensive knowledge of project scheduling, bids, take-offs, change orders, and contracts.

PROJECT MANAGEMENT EXPERIENCE:

• Proven success executing projects under CMAR, Design-Build, and traditional Design-Bid-Build delivery methods.

• Experience managing project budgets, detailed cost forecasting, labor productivity tracking, change orders, and subcontracts.

• Familiarity with prevailing wage regulations, certified payroll, and public works compliance requirements.

• Strong ability to manage long-lead electrical equipment procurement and coordinate closely with major equipment manufacturers and engineering firms.

• Demonstrated ability to develop relationships and assist in winning projects.

• Demonstrated ability to run a profitable portfolio.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or equivalent field experience/electrical trade background.

• PMP certification preferred.

• OSHA 30-Hour Construction Safety certification preferred.

• Journeyman or Master Electrician license is a plus.

• Experience managing the electrical scope on municipal capital improvement projects (CIPs) valued over $5M is strongly preferred.

• Exceptional initiative, execution, and communication skills, both oral and written.

• Exceptional analytical, motivational, and leadership skills.

The starting base pay for this role is between USD $120,000.00 and $150,000.00 per year. The actual base is dependent upon many factors, such as: location, training, transferable skills, work experience, business needs and market demands. The base pay range is subject to change and may be modified in the future. The role may also be eligible for bonus and benefits. Helix Electric provides a comprehensive benefits package that includes the following:

• Medical Plans
• Dental Plans
• Vision Plan
• Life Insurance
• Disability Insurance
• Accident Insurance
• Critical Illness Insurance
• Hospital Insurance
• Pet insurance
• 401(k) Plan with Match
• Employee Discount Program through PerkSpot
• Tax Savings Accounts – FSA, HSA, DCFSA and CSA
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Scholarships