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Sr. Project Manager, Thermal Project Management

Invenergy · Chicago, IL · $165,000–$185,000 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 10, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a time you managed a combustion turbine or other thermal project. What were the hardest technical issues?

What they are checking: Whether they have real thermal experience and understand turbines, balance of plant and fuel systems.

Describe a time you had to manage a project budget that was under pressure.

What they are checking: Whether they can control costs and make honest tradeoffs rather than letting overruns pile up.

How do you keep leadership informed on a project that has dozens of moving parts?

What they are checking: Whether they can report clearly on status and risk without burying leaders in detail.

What would you do

A long-lead item like a gas turbine or transformer is delayed. How do you protect the COD?

What they are checking: Whether they can re-sequence work, find options and communicate impacts quickly.

Specialists on your team disagree on a design choice. How do you get to a decision?

What they are checking: Whether they can lead experts, weigh tradeoffs and make a call without stalling the project.

About the work

Walk me through the major phases of a gas turbine power plant project from development to commercial operation date.

What they are checking: Whether they understand the full thermal project lifecycle and how each phase depends on the last.

How do you coordinate engineering, procurement, permitting and construction workstreams on a thermal project?

What they are checking: Whether they can keep many workstreams aligned, which the posting says is the core of this role.

How do the economic and commercial parts of a project affect your technical decisions?

What they are checking: Whether they connect technical choices to project returns, since the role covers commercial aspects too.

What do you watch for during commissioning and startup of a combined cycle or simple cycle plant?

What they are checking: Whether they understand performance testing, sequencing and safety risks in the final phase before COD.

How do air permits and fuel supply shape the schedule for a new gas plant?

What they are checking: Whether they understand thermal-specific permitting and gas interconnection steps that often drive timelines.

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The full job description

As published by Invenergy.

Invenergy is North America’s largest privately held developer, owner, and operator of power infrastructure. With 25 years of trusted execution, we deliver reliable, affordable energy through a diverse portfolio that includes natural gas, solar, land-based wind, energy storage, transmission, and domestic manufacturing. Headquartered in Chicago, we develop, own, and operate large scale projects that power communities and support the energy future. This position will be open for application for at least 3 calendar days from the posting date. This position will remain open for application based on business need, which may be before or after the 3-day posting window. Job Description Position Overview: As a Senior Project Manager, Thermal Project Management, you will guide and coordinate work for the team assigned to a thermal power plant. You will support efforts across multiple teams inside the organization, from development to the commercial operation date (COD). In this position, you will manage multiple workstreams and collaborate with resources to support the project execution and construction efforts, while coordinating all other technical, economic, and commercial aspects of the project. Being part of the project team assigned to a thermal project, you will interact with specialists to develop, design, and build combustion projects utilizing gas turbines for simple cycles, combined cycles, and cogeneration facilities, as well as natural gas reciprocating engines. This position will be based in the Invenergy office in Chicago, IL. Technical supervision during project execution, specifically construction and commissioning phases, including travel to the project site, will also be required. Invenergy follows a hybrid schedule, working in office Monday through Thursday and remotely on Fridays. Responsibilities: • Coordinate efforts in the project throughout its lifecycle, under close guidance and supervision provided by the senior management from development to COD, to deliver the project according to the required scope, meeting budget and schedule. • Manage workload, assist resources and the different groups assigned to a specific thermal project, promoting seamless coordination across different disciplines. • Coordinate and manage internal administrative workload in the project, including purchase orders, service orders, MSAs and EPC agreements. • Understand project interfaces across multiple contractors and work packages and monitor performance, ensuring adherence to project budget and schedule. • Report project risks, performance, progress and schedule to management. • Coordinate contractual and administrative work with contractors, consultants and third parties as required. • Work in collaboration with the thermal engineering team in the preparation of site layouts and optimization of general arrangements for different equipment and project components. • Prepare reporting for management and customers as required. • Ensure record keeping for the entire project by adhering to company document management policies. • Collaborate with the relevant engineering areas to optimize the design, CAPEX, and OPEX of this infrastructure. • Liaise with the procurement team in the preparation of SOIs, RFIs, RFPs, RFQs, or any other documents. • Participate in the evaluation of suppliers’ technical and economic proposals. • Participate in discussions with manufacturers and vendors, as needed, in coordination with the procurement team. • Assist in the preparation of contracts with OEMs, suppliers, and vendors. • Assist in the permitting and development efforts, including electrical interconnection. • Monitor project progress and performance, reporting key indicators to management. • Coordinate efforts to prepare financial model along with the commercial finance & economics team and support project finance. Minimum Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in mechanical, civil, electrical or structural engineering. • 8+ years of experience in management and construction of large-scale projects. • Experience in combustion power plants, gas turbines, steam turbines and reciprocating engines is required. • Excellent solution-seeking, teamwork, leadership and communication skills which extend across all organizational and management levels. • Proficient with Microsoft Office products, including Excel, Word, and PowerPoint. • Strong verbal skills are required, including being an effective leader and communicator. • Ability to travel up to 25% is required, and travel frequency must be adjusted during the project execution phase. • Eligible to work in the United States without the need for employer visa sponsorship now or in the future. Preferred Qualifications: • Master’s degree in mechanical, civil, electrical or structural engineering with relevant experience in the power generation industry. • Site experience in projects under construction. • Ability to multi-task and manage deliverables for multiple packages of the same project at a time. • Desire to work in a dynamic environment alongside people with multiple interests and backgrounds. • Experience managing interfaces between contractors and contract negotiation. • Excellent organizational, writing, and interpersonal skills. • High degree of integrity and understanding of ethical industry standards. Base Pay $165,000 - $185,000 USD Annual 25-40% Bonus The base pay range reflects the minimum and maximum target salary for the position. Invenergy considers a number of factors when determining base pay offers such as the scope and responsibilities of the position and the candidate's experience, education and skills. In addition to base pay, the total annual compensation package may also include eligibility to participate in our bonus program(s) which are designed to reward individual and company performance. Your recruiter can share more about bonus eligibility for this position during the hiring process. Invenergy offers a variety of other benefits including medical, dental and vision insurance, 401k, paid time off, etc. Invenergy LLC is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, among other things, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, status as a protected veteran, or disability.

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