Construction Manager (BESS)

About Us

Irby Construction Company has been building infrastructure for the power industry for more than 75 years. Our business values and performance-driven mindset guide our actions. Our approach to work starts with safety, puts people first, seeks to innovate, and promises to perform.

Irby is proud of its inclusive work environment, family-oriented culture, excellent benefits, and clear pathways for career growth. We strive to provide every employee with clear expectations and opportunities for advancement. What’s more, Irby has long long-valued tenure. In fact, many of our executive leaders started with Irby early in their careers and in the field.

When you join our team, you join an established firm, with a culture centered around its people. Teamwork is how we work. There is no other way. Pride is ever-present inside our offices and the bond of brotherhood runs strong among our crews. 

Irby Construction is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Quanta Services. That means team Irby gets the benefits of the company culture we’re known for along with the stability and resources of a Fortune 500 organization. (NYSE: PWR). 

Build your career at Irby Construction.

About this Role

The Construction Manager is the primary field authority on a BESS construction project. This position owns all day-to-day construction operations, crew performance, field safety, and site quality from mobilization through commissioning and turnover. The CM executes the Project Manager’s plan in the field across civil, structural, electrical, mechanical, and controls scopes, and is the last line of accountability for how the work is built. The role requires thorough technical knowledge of battery energy storage installation — enclosures, power conversion systems, DC cabling and battery management systems, medium-voltage equipment, thermal management, and fire suppression — together with a strong focus on safety, quality, schedule, cost, and customer satisfaction.

What You'll Do

Daily Field Operations & Crew Management

• Own and manage all daily field construction activities across civil, electrical, mechanical, and structural trades.
• Organize and deploy crews; assign foremen to tasks based on project phase, priority, and skill requirements.
• Generate and maintain daily manpower plans, crew rotation schedules, and equipment utilization logs.
• Conduct daily field walks to verify productivity, quality of work, and adherence to the project schedule.
• Identify and resolve field conflicts, scope gaps, and trade coordination issues in real time.
• Maintain daily construction logs capturing crew counts, work performed, weather, equipment usage, and incidents.

Subcontractor Field Management

• Direct, supervise, and hold accountable all subcontractor field operations on site.
• Lead weekly foreman meetings to communicate priorities, resolve issues, and align crews with schedule milestones.
• Review and verify subcontractor daily reports, manpower logs, and production tracking.
• Identify subcontractor performance issues early and escalate to the Project Manager with documented field evidence.
• Confirm subcontractors are working within approved drawings, specifications, and safety plans; stop work on observed non-conformances.
• Coordinate and sequence trades to eliminate conflicts, ensure material availability, and maintain continuous workflow.
• Assess the operational effectiveness of contractors and subcontractors and support their coordination across civil, structural, electrical, controls, and commissioning phases.

BESS Equipment Installation

• Own all field installation activities for Battery Energy Storage System components, including:
• Battery energy storage enclosures (BESS modules and containers)
• Inverters and Power Conversion Systems (PCS)
• DC cabling assemblies, battery management systems (BMS), and controls wiring
• Medium-voltage transformers and associated electrical infrastructure
• Thermal management systems and fire suppression integration
• Ensure all BESS installations comply with OEM specifications, project drawings, and NFPA 855.
• Verify equipment pad elevations, anchor bolt placement, and structural readiness prior to module delivery and setting.
• Coordinate equipment delivery and rigging logistics for containers, transformers, and switchgear.
• Maintain strict control over OEM torque specifications, cable termination records, and installation checklists — no deviations without written engineering approval.

Commissioning, Startup & Energization

• Serve as the on-site field lead during all BESS commissioning, startup, and energization activities.
• Coordinate with OEM vendor representatives and commissioning engineers through Factory Acceptance Testing hold points, Site Acceptance Testing, and initial charge/discharge testing.
• Coordinate with the utility owner, AHJ, and engineering team on energization and interconnection procedures.
• Ensure all pre-energization punch list items are closed before commissioning sequences begin.
• Maintain field commissioning logs, startup checklists, and OEM sign-off documentation.

Field Safety — Primary Enforcement Authority

• Own and enforce the project safety plan in the field as the highest-ranking safety authority on site.
• Stop work immediately upon observation of imminent danger conditions — no exceptions.
• Conduct and document daily safety observations, toolbox talks, and pre-task planning reviews.
• Enforce BESS-specific safety protocols, including thermal runaway prevention and emergency response per NFPA 855, DC arc flash boundary compliance and PPE enforcement, Lockout/Tagout for all BESS, MV, and electrical work, and hazardous materials handling per SDS requirements.
• Review and approve site-specific safety plans, job hazard analyses, and confined space entry permits.
• Investigate all near misses, first aid incidents, and recordable injuries; complete incident reports within 24 hours.
• Chair monthly job safety review meetings and enforce corrective actions from safety audits.
• Maintain accountability for the safety performance of all subordinate personnel.

Field Quality Control

• Own first-line quality control — inspect work in place daily against drawings, specifications, and QC checklists.
• Maintain the project field punch list; assign responsibility and track resolution to closure.
• Verify all inspections and tests are scheduled, completed, and documented before work is covered or energized.
• Ensure as-built drawings are marked up and maintained throughout construction by the responsible foremen.
• Verify delivered materials and equipment match approved submittals before installation.
• Coordinate with third-party inspectors, special inspectors, and testing agencies for all required inspections.
• Document and immediately report non-conformances to the Project Manager with photographic evidence and proposed corrective action.
• Ensure conformance with plans, specifications, applicable NEC and state electrical codes, NFPA 855, and customer requirements; monitor corrective actions to closure.

Schedule Management — Field Execution

• Own the three-week look-ahead schedule; update weekly and distribute to foremen and subcontractors every Monday.
• Identify schedule risks, productivity issues, and critical path impacts and report to the Project Manager within 24 hours.
• Coordinate manpower surges, overtime requests, and resource reallocation to maintain schedule milestones; support recovery plans when work falls behind.
• Verify material and equipment deliveries align with the construction schedule; flag delays immediately.
• Maintain daily logs and progress tracking sufficient to support the Project Manager’s EcoSys quantity entries and monthly EAC forecasting.
• Contribute to project planning, constructability review, sequencing, and identification of required resources; support the Estimating-to-Operations handoff for scope clarity and construction readiness.

Change Management & Documentation

• Document all field-directed changes, Owner directives, and out-of-scope work in real time.
• Notify the Project Manager immediately when potential change order scope is identified; perform no unapproved extra work.
• Support all field change orders with crew logs, timesheets, equipment records, and photographic documentation.
• Maintain good communication with inspectors; ensure inspection reports, test results, and punch list items are filed in the project directory.
• Ensure QA/QC documentation, electrical schematics, as-builts, and progress records are maintained throughout the project.

Workforce Development & Craft Leadership

• Mentor, develop, and evaluate foremen and craft personnel to build team capability and workforce depth.
• Conduct performance evaluations, address personnel issues, and coordinate with operations on pay, CDL requirements, and advancement.
• Foster a culture of accountability, professionalism, and continuous improvement among field crews.
• Follow up on complaints from the Owner, general public, or landowners and report to the Project Manager.
• Attend progress meetings, develop status reports, and deliver presentations as required.
• Recommend construction process and procedure improvements.

What You'll Bring

• Seven (7) to ten (10) years of progressive field construction supervision experience, including a minimum of two (2) years as a Superintendent or Construction Manager.
• Utility-scale BESS, substation, or medium-voltage electrical construction experience required; renewable energy, data center, or complex EPC experience preferred.
• Working knowledge of BESS construction processes, including civil, structural, electrical, controls, medium- and low-voltage systems, PCS and inverters, BMS and DC cabling, QA/QC, and commissioning activities.
• Knowledge of applicable NEC requirements, state electrical codes, NFPA 855, NFPA 70E, OSHA standards, LOTO program administration, and construction safety practices.
• OSHA 30, NFPA 70E, and First Aid/CPR certifications required or obtainable within 90 days; competent-person training as applicable to assigned scope.
• Ability to read and interpret construction drawings, blueprints, electrical schematics, and specifications.
• Ability to plan, coordinate, and provide leadership in the execution of complex construction projects and organize a team effort.
• Ability to delegate responsibilities, conduct meetings, and manage multiple crews and subcontractors effectively.
• Ability to make objective, timely decisions and perform effectively under pressure; ability to solve problems and resolve conflicts.
• Strong client management and relationship-building ability; reliable, customer-oriented, and a dependable team member.
• Capacity to motivate, lead, and strengthen the morale and performance of field teams.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; organizational skills to maintain records, prepare reports, and manage multiple priorities.
• Effective time management and logical decision-making ability.
• Thorough knowledge of legal, contractual, and safety requirements applicable to construction projects.
• Strong focus on safety, quality, schedule, cost, and customer satisfaction.

Physical Requirements & Availability

• Physically capable of walking and working across uneven terrain and climbing on and off large trucks and equipment throughout the workday.
• Able to work safely in extreme field environments, including high heat, cold, and elevated structures.
• Able to push, pull, and lift equipment weighing up to 50 lbs as necessary.
• On site during all active construction and commissioning operations unless alternate coverage is approved by the Project Manager.
• Travel up to 100% during active construction phases.

What You'll Get

• Comprehensive Medical Coverage – Multiple BCBS medical plan options, all with in-network preventive care covered at no cost, the same nationwide provider network, and access to virtual care for primary care, dermatology, general medical needs, and mental health support.
• Prescription Drug Coverage included with all medical plans, plus tools and advocacy support to help manage healthcare costs.
• Dental & Vision Coverage – Dental plans with 100% coverage for preventive care and orthodontia options for adults and children, plus vision coverage with annual exams and frame allowances.
• Health Savings & Flexible Spending Accounts – HSA options with Fidelity, Healthcare FSA, Limited Purpose FSA, and Dependent Care FSA (up to $7,500) to help you save on eligible healthcare and dependent expenses.
• 401(k) Retirement Plan with Company Match – Immediate eligibility and vesting, with a company match of 100% on the first 3% and 50% on the next 3% (up to 4.5% total match).
• Life & Disability Insurance – Company-paid basic life and AD&D coverage, plus optional supplemental life insurance for employees and dependents. Short-term and long-term disability coverage helps protect your income if you’re unable to work due to illness or injury.
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP) – Confidential mental health, financial, family, and wellbeing support available at no cost to you and your household.
• Voluntary Benefits – Optional accident, hospital indemnity, critical illness, identity theft protection, pet insurance, home/auto insurance, and long-term care coverage.
• Employee Discounts & Community Support – Access to exclusive employee discounts and participation in Quanta Cares, a disaster relief fund supporting employees and families during times of need.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status. We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company’s Human Resources department.