Project Lead Jobs in Portland, OR
Project Lead jobs in Portland are concentrated in the Pearl District, Lloyd District, and South Waterfront, across technology, construction, and healthcare sectors, with steady demand for both technical and cross-functional project leads. Companies actively hiring include Cummins, Slayden, and CareOregon. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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Description
At Utilities One, we are driven by innovation, operational excellence, and a commitment to building the future of critical infrastructure. As a trusted turnkey solutions provider across telecom, power, water, renewable energy, and data center sectors, we deliver high-quality services that connect and empower communities. In addition to our core operations, we offer specialized consulting services that help our clients design, optimize, and execute complex infrastructure projects with confidence and precision. We believe our greatest strength is our people — a team of dedicated professionals who bring expertise, collaboration, and integrity to everything they do. Join us and become part of a growing organization where your contributions make a meaningful impact.
We are looking for a qualified Field Project Manager to support construction projects across the Western U.S. market. This travel-based role requires flexibility and frequent travel to various project locations.
Key Responsibilities
Project Review & Pre-Construction Readiness
- Review assigned projects for scope, constructability, and sequencing.
- Conduct pre-construction walkouts with vendors and internal teams.
- Verify locate ticket status and ensure valid locates are in place prior to excavation.
- Issue required 48-hour notices.
- Coordinate specialty services as needed (GPR, core drilling, line adjustments, FDOT scheduling, etc.).
- Confirm permits, traffic control requirements (MOT), and jurisdictional approvals are secured before work begins.
- Identify potential field conflicts early and coordinate resolution with engineering and management.
- Meet with foremen/vendors daily to review work plans, expectations, and job sequencing.
- Monitor GPM check-ins and ensure production is accurately entered and updated.
- Ensure vendors and crews:
- Have required documentation and certifications
- Are properly equipped for assigned work
- Follow approved construction methods and specifications
- Verify proper crew assignment based on work type (aerial, underground, boring).
- Enforce approved work-hour restrictions per jurisdiction.
- Confirm crews are working in logical order aligned with locates and permits.
- Coordinate daily MOT needs and communicate requirements to management.
- Conduct ongoing site inspections to verify quality and adherence to plans.
- Ensure compliance with:
- Required drilling practices (potholing, drain sock use, proper depths, DAP procedures, etc.)
- Underground depth requirements
- Aerial attachment standards and HOA requirements
- Safety regulations and PPE compliance
- Perform QA/QC checks on assigned projects.
- Ensure restoration requirements are completed properly.
- Confirm timely completion of assigned production units (“gigs”).
- Serve as the first-line problem solver for field challenges.
- Assist crews in resolving technical issues and unexpected conditions.
- Coordinate map discrepancies and field changes with engineering.
- Investigate and report damages; assist with resolution and documentation.
- Maintain proactive communication when plans require adjustment.
- Escalate critical concerns to OPM or Director when necessary.
- Submit required daily and project reporting including:
- End-of-shift reports (EOS)
- Damage reports
- MOT updates
- QA/QC documentation
- Keep GPM updated with production, rejections, corrections, and completions.
- Ensure project documentation is accurate and submitted in a timely manner.
- Communicate daily with management, clients, cities, and jurisdictions as required.
- Attend coordination meetings when assigned.
- Relay updates, expectations, and changes to field crews promptly.
- Address homeowner or public concerns professionally and coordinate resolution.
- Represent the company as the on-site operational leader.
- Monitor material availability and notify OPM when inventory is insufficient.
- Ensure traffic control requests are submitted and executed properly.
- Support yard organization and equipment readiness.
- Assist in developing field crews through training and reinforcement of standards.
- Daily field execution and productivity
- Vendor and crew compliance with construction standards
- Safety and permit adherence
- Accurate reporting and documentation
- Timely completion of assigned production goals
Skills, Knowledge and Expertise
- A valid, unrestricted Driver’s License;
- Strong knowledge of field construction, vendor management, and project coordination;
- Ability to read and understand construction plans, drawings, maps, and diagrams;
- Strong communication, organizational, and problem-solving skills;
- Ability to work independently and effectively coordinate crews, subcontractors, vendors, and other stakeholders;
- Ability to work outdoors and in varying weather conditions;
- Willingness and ability to travel frequently to different project sites throughout the Western U.S. market.
Benefits
- Health Insurance plans (health, dental, vision);
- Whole Life Insurance;
- 401k Plan;
- PTO/Paid Holidays;
- Great Work Environment;
- Career Advancement Opportunities;
- All necessary tools, equipment, supplies provided;
- Company Vehicle and Fuel Card provided.
About Utilities One
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Project Lead Jobs in Portland: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a project lead job in Portland?
Focus your search on Portland's strongest hiring sectors: technology firms in the Pearl District and Silicon Forest corridor, healthcare systems based in the South Waterfront and Marquam Hill, and construction and infrastructure companies serving the metro area. Employers here tend to favor candidates with demonstrated ownership of a full project lifecycle and comfort working with cross-functional teams. PMP certification and experience with Agile or construction-specific frameworks give candidates a clear edge in Portland's competitive market.
Which companies hire project leads in Portland?
Companies currently hiring project leads in Portland include Cummins, Slayden, and CareOregon, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Portland's employer mix tends toward mid-size technology companies, regional healthcare systems, engineering and construction firms, and utilities, meaning project leads here often work with lean teams and broad ownership across the project lifecycle.
Are there remote project lead jobs in Portland?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on the role type: desk-based and software-focused project leads have far more remote flexibility than those in construction, manufacturing, or healthcare operations, where on-site presence is typically required. About 74% of project lead openings tied to Portland are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, skewing toward technology and professional services roles. Planning, reporting, and stakeholder coordination work tends to be the most location-flexible portion of the job.
How can I get a project lead job in Portland with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Portland is moving into a project lead role from a coordinator, scheduler, or analyst position within the same organization. Portland's healthcare systems, utilities, and mid-size technology companies regularly promote internally and hire junior project roles that build toward project lead responsibilities. Completing a recognized project management certification, volunteering to own a discrete workstream on your current team, and targeting Portland's startup and scale-up community, where role boundaries are more flexible, all strengthen a candidate's local prospects.
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