Project Development Manager

Minimum Pay Rate: $146,806.40 

Maximum Pay Rate: $194,438.40 

Apply by Date: 08/22/2025 

Posting Type: Open 

 

Note: The hiring department will be filling two separate positions from this recruitment process, we are seeking to make one limited term and one regular full time hire. This posting will also be used to create an Eligibility List for current and future Project Development Manager openings, both regular fulltime and limited term. 

 

SMUD is a leader in clean energy and carbon reduction. This is an exciting time to join SMUD as member of the Project Development Team in our Power Generation Department helping reach our ambitious goal of zero carbon emissions in our power supply by 2030 - the most ambitious goal of any large utility in the United States.

 

Power Generation is seeking a strong, experienced Project Development Manager to manage the real estate, permitting, design, installation, integration, interconnection, contracting for services, contract management, construction and commissioning of utility scale and utility interconnected renewable energy projects including solar, combined solar and energy storage, storage and wind projects at distribution and transmission interconnection voltages. In this role, you will manage fast-paced projects, planning, procuring, installing, integrating and interconnection for utility scale renewable energy projects.

 

The ideal candidate will have experience managing and development of utility scale renewable energy projects including management of matrixed teams of subject matter experts and consultants in real estate, community strategy, permitting at the federal, state and local level, utility interconnection, and management of EPC contracts, and procurement contracts for electrical power projects. Experience in siting of utility scale renewable energy is highly desired. This position requires a high degree of coordination with both internal and external parties to SMUD.

Purpose

To implement programs for the development of new power generation, storage and transmission resources by directing and controlling the design, permitting, licensing, and engineering to meet SMUD’s requirements.

Nature and Scope

Directs the development, implementation and managing of department goals, objectives, policies and priorities in partnership with the department leadership; may select, train, motivate, evaluate and develop subordinate personnel and ensures that department strategic objectives and priorities are achieved and coordinated with other departments.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Directs an in-house matrix organization and of internal and external stakeholders outside consultants and contractors in meeting SMUD power load requirements by planning, organizing, overseeing and implementing the design, licensing, permitting and engineering aspects of new power generation and transmission resources projects including project work plans, budgets, and schedules.
• Overseeing projects by identifying project objectives; identifying internal/external project team; developing Request for Proposals; negotiating contract terms; developing project plans including schedule, cost, key work products and milestones; monitoring project progress and completion against plan/contract; revising schedules, scope, expenditures and assignments; reviewing work products; resolving conflicts and discrepancies; maintaining project records and files; participating in the overall review of the completed project results; and making recommendations for next steps.
• Manages the project design/engineering process by directing and overseeing contractor/consultant/project team work activities including power plant configurations, engineering design studies, site constraints, transmission routing, power plant cost analysis, operation and maintenance programs, and other technical issues; resolves design and administrative issues; provides construction management advice and inspections.   
• Represents SMUD and/or acts as SMUDs liaison in a variety of settings including: public meetings and hearings; operating committees and work groups with other utilities, government agencies, industrial task forces, and other community organizations; developers, architects, engineers, host utilities, regulatory agencies (in conjunction with licensing management) and the public on project engineering related issues.
• Performs related duties as required.

Required Education

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited college or university majoring in Engineering, Science or other relevant discipline or equivalent experience related to project development. If no degree, fourteen (14) years of relevant work experience is required.