AMI Program Construction Manager

About RUIZ

RUIZ is a premier provider of essential services in Engineering, Pipeline Inspection, Project and Construction Management, Surveying, and Supply Chain. We support the Utility, Energy, and Oil & Gas sectors across the United States, delivering expertise that ensures the successful execution of projects and the maintenance of vital infrastructure. Our consulting practice connects industry-leading experts with clients to drive transformational results in supply chain and field operations.

Position Summary

We are seeking an experienced AMI Program Construction Manager to lead field execution of a large-scale advanced metering infrastructure (AMI) deployment across an active utility distribution system. In this role you will own day-to-day construction management of meter exchange and communication-network rollout activities, directing deployment contractors, coordinating with the utility client, and holding overall accountability for safety, quality, schedule, budget, and customer experience across assigned territories. You will translate program goals into executable field plans, manage multiple crews and subcontractors operating concurrently, and serve as the senior on-the-ground RUIZ representative ensuring work is installed, commissioned, and documented in accordance with the utility’s standards, operator qualification (OQ) requirements, and applicable regulations — with every opportunity to grow with us as we expand.

Key Responsibilities

• Direct day-to-day field construction of AMI deployment, including meter changeout, communication module/network installation, and associated restoration, across multiple active territories and crews.
• Manage deployment contractor and subcontractor performance against contracted scope, production targets, quality standards, and the program schedule, escalating and resolving issues promptly.
• Develop, maintain, and adjust short-interval execution plans, crew routing, and resource allocation to meet daily and weekly install volume commitments without compromising safety or quality.
• Own jobsite safety leadership across assigned work, enforcing the utility’s safety program, conducting field audits and toolbox talks, and ensuring gas monitoring, ignition-source control, PPE, and emergency response protocols are followed.
• Confirm all field personnel performing covered tasks are properly qualified under the applicable Operator Qualification (OQ) plan prior to performing work, and hold contractors accountable for OQ compliance.
• Oversee the quality program for installed work, ensuring compliance with utility specifications, manufacturer requirements, and applicable regulations (e.g., 49 CFR Part 192 and ASME B31.8 for gas systems), and driving corrective action on non-conformances.
• Track and report program metrics — installs completed, production rate, first-time quality, exceptions, NCRs, safety observations, and schedule variance — to RUIZ and client leadership.
• Manage cost and budget at the territory/program level, reviewing contractor production, validating units installed, supporting invoice verification, and identifying cost or schedule risks early.
• Coordinate closely with utility client representatives, engineering, system operations, customer care, and the meter data/head-end teams to align field execution with program requirements and resolve interface issues.
• Oversee customer-impact management, including access coordination, refusals, appliance/relight issues, property damage claims, billing disputes, and outage communications, ensuring a positive customer experience.
• Ensure complete, accurate, and auditable as-installed data capture — meter and module serial numbers, index reads, GPS coordinates, photos, and meter set condition — in the work order management and customer information systems (WMS/CIS).
• Manage meter and material inventory and chain of custody, confirming legacy assets are returned, scanned, and properly dispositioned and that new assets are accurately recorded.
• Review work packages, route plans, engineering schematics, and permits to ensure accurate field interpretation, and manage permitting/restoration close-out where applicable.
• Lead and develop RUIZ field inspection staff assigned to the program, providing direction, mentoring, and performance oversight.
• Conduct regular progress and coordination meetings with contractors and the client, and produce clear written reporting on status, risks, and recommended actions.

Required Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of construction management, field supervision, or program execution experience in utility distribution, AMR/AMI deployment, or comparable large-scale field construction.
• Demonstrated experience managing multiple crews, contractors, or subcontractors against production, quality, schedule, and budget targets.
• Working knowledge of meter exchange and/or AMI communication-network deployment operations and field workflows.
• Strong jobsite safety leadership, including familiarity with utility safety programs, OSHA requirements, and field hazard recognition.
• Familiarity with Operator Qualification (OQ) program requirements and how covered tasks are administered in a contractor workforce.
• Ability to read, interpret, and apply route plans, work orders, service diagrams, distribution schematics, and engineering documentation in a field environment.
• Proficiency with handheld field devices, GNSS data collection, and digital work order management applications, plus solid Microsoft Office / reporting skills.
• Strong leadership, communication, and stakeholder-management skills, with a track record of resolving field issues and driving corrective action.
• Valid driver’s license and ability to travel to and work across active field territories.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior leadership role on a large-scale AMI or AMR deployment program (residential meter exchange, C&I exchange, or module/network retrofit rollout).
• For gas-system programs: working knowledge of 49 CFR Part 192 and ASME B31.8 and experience with gas meter changeout operations.
• Working knowledge of major AMI/AMR meter, module, and network platforms (e.g., Itron, Sensus, Honeywell/Elster, Aclara) and associated head-end systems.
• Experience with utility work order management and customer information systems (SAP IS-U, Maximo, ClickSoftware, or comparable).
• OQ qualifications in relevant covered tasks and OSHA 10/30 certification.
• Familiarity with state-level utility and pipeline safety program requirements in addition to federal regulations.