Principal Solar PV Project Manager - Renewables in Edinburgh

Location: Glasgow, Brighton, Edinburgh, UK

Company Overview: Mott MacDonald is a global engineering, management, and development consultancy with over 20,000 employees across more than 50 countries and 140+ offices. We work across incredible global industries, delivering exciting work that is defining our future and making an important societal impact in the communities we serve.

About the Business Unit: The Energy unit delivers services to clients globally across several sectors including hydropower, nuclear, waste, renewable generation and transmission & distribution networks. Together we provide integrated engineering and project management services across the project lifecycle – from concept and design to construction and operations, to decommissioning or repowering and life extension. Together with our clients, we’re helping to deliver the energy transition globally.

Overview of the Role: Owing to continued growth and high demand for our services in the UK and Ireland, we are looking for a Solar PV Project Manager to join our global energy team in the UK. You will lead the delivery of Solar PV owner’s engineering projects for clients in the UK, Ireland and worldwide, ensuring they are appropriately resourced, delivered on time and budget and supporting our client to increase the project value whilst reducing the risks. This will include coordination of internal Mott MacDonald and external resources where applicable, deliverable reviews and origination and acceptance, budget and time adherence, client liaison and internal reporting. The role may also involve preparation of bids for new work and participation on other advisory projects as needed. This is a permanent role and will offer excellent prospects for career development involving different power generation technologies (wind, PV, CSP, BESS) mainly renewable energy projects.

Key Responsibilities and Duties

• Project Management: Lead and manage PV projects from inception to completion, ensuring all project milestones are met. Develop and maintain project schedules, budgets, and resource plans. Coordinate with internal teams, client stakeholders, external contractors, and stakeholders to ensure project objectives are achieved.
• Owner’s Engineering: Provide technical oversight and guidance throughout the project lifecycle. Ensure engineering designs, specifications, and drawings are reviewed and approved. Manage site assessments and feasibility studies to determine project viability. Ensure compliance with local regulations, standards, and best practices. Provide local know‑how and guidance to the team.
• Technical Support: Support preparation of technical specifications and tender documents for procurement of equipment and services. Evaluate bids and proposals from contractors and suppliers. Provide technical assistance during construction, commissioning, and operational phases. Manage preparation of performance assessments and troubleshooting of PV systems.
• Stakeholder Management: Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, contractors, regulatory authorities, and local communities. Represent the company in technical discussions and negotiations. Ensure transparent and timely communication with all project stakeholders.
• Quality Assurance: Implement and monitor quality control processes to ensure project deliverables meet the required standards. Conduct regular site inspections and audits to verify compliance with project specifications. Manage the commissioning and acceptance testing of PV systems.

Candidate Specification

Essential:

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil or Industrial) or a cognate discipline; a relevant master’s degree is desirable but not mandatory.
• Experience of project management.
• Working knowledge of Solar PV development in the UK or Ireland.
• Knowledge of the relevant Solar PV design codes and certification requirements.
• Familiarity with PVsyst or other modelling software.
• Familiar with international and local standards, codes, and regulations.
• Proactivity and problem‑solving attitude.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Proficiency in English, both written and verbal.

Desirable:

• Demonstrable experience of project management of other disciplines.
• APQ certification.
• Excellent IT skills particularly MS Excel, Word, Project and PowerPoint.
• Self‑motivation, flexible, problem‑solving approach.
• Experience of working within a multi‑disciplinary engineering environment.
• Ability to communicate clearly & concisely in English, both verbally and written, and to explain technical issues to non‑engineers, including clients.
• Attention to detail in producing and reviewing technical reports for clients.
• Ability to lead, chair and present at meetings.

Diversity, Equality, and Inclusion: We are actively recruiting a diverse workforce that reflects the communities we serve. We recognise that differences in ability, skills and experience are a strength and encourage applications from people of all backgrounds.

UK Immigration: Mott MacDonald Ltd. is not currently offering sponsorship to candidates under the Skilled Worker visa route in the UK. Applicants who are eligible for alternative immigration routes are welcomed.

Agile Working: We offer a hybrid working policy that embraces well‑being, flexibility, and trust.

Accessibility: If you are disabled or need support to enable you to apply or attend an interview, please contact.

Benefits:

• Financial Wellbeing: Pension contributions matched between 4.5% and 7%. Life assurance equal up to 4× basic salary, with an option to increase to 6× salary. Income protection scheme with absence and return‑to‑work support. Flexible benefits including increased life assurance cover, critical illness insurance, payroll saving and will writing. Annual bonus schemes reflecting the business’s financial success.
• Employee Ownership: No external investors; culture of shared success. Stakeholder ownership model and personal bonuses. Direct pathway toward ownership for senior roles from day one. Opportunities to connect directly with senior leadership via formal channels.
• Health and Wellbeing: Private medical insurance for all UK colleagues. Health cash plan for everyday health costs and treatments. Access to Peppy supporting menopause experts for all UK colleagues. Comprehensive wellbeing program for employees and families. Flexibility to tailor salary to a range of health benefits, extendable to families.
• Lifestyle: Minimum of 33‑35 days holiday per year, including public holidays, with the ability to buy or sell leave. Additional paid leave for Armed Forces Reservists and Cadet Force Adult Volunteers. Holiday entitlement increased to a minimum of 35 days after 5 years of service. Employee saving schemes and discounts from high‑street retailers.
• Enhanced Family and Carers Leave: Paid maternity and adoption leave up to 26 weeks and two weeks paid paternity/partner leave. Shared parental leave matching maternity leave, paying up to 24 weeks at full pay. Additional leave for significant caring responsibilities, two of which are paid. Support for military families through dedicated policies and resources.
• Learning and Development: Primary annual professional institution subscription. Opportunities to enhance technical and soft skills through mentoring, formal training, and self‑development options.
• Networks, Communities, and Social Outcomes: Advance Employee Networks supporting LGBTQ+, gender, race and ethnicity, disability, and parents/carers communities. Signatory of the Armed Forces Covenant and Gold Award holder in the MOD Employer Recognition Scheme, with a dedicated Armed Forces Network. Opportunities to make a difference within communities through social outcomes.