Assistant Project Manager

Location: Chesterfield, MO

Onsite Flexibility: Onsite

• Position Type: Contract
• Contract Duration: 12 months
• Start: June 18, 2026
• Pay Rate: $50.00 $ 54.00 / Hour (USD)
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Burns & Mc Donnell has an immediate need for Assistant Project Managers to support a program of transmission line, substation, and communications construction projects across Ohio, Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and West Virginia/Maryland. This Program has been in progress for 11 years, and has a runway of another 5 years. The Assistant Project Manager is responsible for supporting Senior Project Managers with cost management of individual projects, the successful completion of the projects within the specified dates, and establishing and maintaining a professional and satisfactory relationship with the Owner, subcontractors, and any other project stakeholders.

Examples of project types include:

• Substation complete substation rebuild & conversion projects (ring bus, breaker & a half, double-breaker); terminal upgrades including breakers, relays, and other physical equipment; some relay-only or equipment-only replacements (Voltages: 34.5kV 500kV)
• Transmission Line complete line rebuilds, line rehabs, line switch replacements, customer connections (Voltages: 46kV 138kV)
• Communications projects: Replacement of RTUs, cell antennas, microwave towers; installation of MPLS, ADSS & OPGW fiber builds
• New Transmission Customer connections and Generator interconnections (solar, onshore & offshore wind)
• Project budgets range from Small ($250k $1M), Medium ($2M $5M) to Large ($5M $50M)
• 90% of projects are in a brownfield environment usually reconfiguring existing substations to new configurations, or rebuilding transmission lines to higher capacities

The responsibilities of the Assistant Project Manager are to support Senior Project Managers with normal project duties. Burns & McDonnell's goal is to train assistant project managers in all aspects of project management and construction subject matter expertise. Assistant PMs will learn from other senior team members, take on tasks and activities throughout the project, and eventually take on their own projects.

• Each PM manages 10 20 projects from inception to completion
• Vet the initial scope received and develop a project work plan with Engineering & Client Stakeholders
• Develop outage requests and sequenced work plans with SMEs & Client contractor partners
• Work with Engineering to facilitate major and minor material equipment procurement
• Coordinate environmental and non-environmental permitting review and submittal
• Develop RFP packages for construction bid events, including written scopes of work, baseline schedules, and permitting packages; evaluate contractor bids and recommend award to Client
• Facilitate Pre-Construction and regular progress meetings
• Drive schedule and project progress during construction, oftentimes on-site
• Complete pre-energization & closeout activities during project completion
• Develop rapport with construction team through on-site meetings and regular meetings/phone calls
• Meet regularly with Scheduler to update & maintain detailed P6 project schedules
• Maintain and be accountable for project budget and financial forecast updates; update financial forecasts and track accruals monthly
• Navigate client computer programs for financial updates, contract management, and project documentation
• Report regularly to the Lead Project Manager and Client on construction progress, cost and schedule metrics, procurement issues, safety or environmental concerns, design questions, potential impacts, and any issues requiring home office support
• Maintain clear lines of communication and relationships between project site, project office and clients
• Work location is usually around 80% office: 20% field-based; team members are encouraged to spend time on-site to fully comprehend the scopes of work being managed, develop rapport with site teams, and stay engaged with on-site construction progress

• Must desire to gain detailed knowledge in substations, networks/telecommunications, or transmission lines
• Must have ability to deal effectively with a wide variety of industry, government and public contacts on project-related matters
• Excellent written & verbal communication skills
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills
• Ability to travel (projects are within 1 3 hour radius from reporting location)
• Valid driver's license required; must meet standards to qualify for and maintain the Company's vehicle driving privileges as outlined in the Company's Motor Vehicle Safety Policy

• 2 5 years in a construction project management role is preferred
• Experience with high voltage transmission line or substation construction project management, including management of cost and schedule, is…