Senior Counsel-Transmission EPC Projects

Saved job description

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years. 

Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people. 

Our Commitment: CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce.

At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve.  

Summary:    

The Senior Counsel, Transmission EPC Projects will advise on and negotiate complex commercial agreements for electric transmission capital projects serving large-load growth, with a focus on EPC, construction, procurement, engineering, and related project agreements. This role offers the opportunity to work at the center of a busy, high-volume transmission buildout, helping deliver major infrastructure that supports safe, reliable, and resilient energy service for the communities CenterPoint Energy serves while contributing to the Company’s customer-driven, 10-year capital investment plan of more than $65 billion.  

This attorney will work closely with legal, supply chain, engineering, construction, project controls, regulatory, real estate, environmental, finance, commercial, and operations teams to drive practical legal and commercial alignment across contract formation, project execution, claims avoidance, dispute resolution, and closeout. This role will also help shape CenterPoint Energy’s transmission EPC legal function through templates, playbooks, training, contracting processes, and practical guidance for project teams.  

Essential Duties/Responsibilities:  

Lead negotiation and legal risk assessment for assigned EPC-related agreements supporting a diverse portfolio of transmission capital projects, including commercial terms, progressive EPC structures, risk allocation, open-book pricing discipline, and contracting strategy.  

Draft, review, and negotiate Master EPC agreements, subordinate scopes and addenda, complex work orders, interim bridging agreements, limited notices to proceed, construction agreements, engineering services agreements, procurement agreements, major equipment supply agreements, and related project documents.  

Provide practical legal support throughout project execution, including change orders, schedule impacts, delay claims, warranty issues, performance security, liens, force majeure, payment disputes, contractor performance, acceptance criteria, turnover obligations, and closeout.  

Partner with supply chain, engineering, construction, project controls, operations, regulatory, real estate, environmental, finance, and commercial teams on scopes of work, pricing models, milestones, liquidated damages, bonuses, warranties, bonds, insurance, indemnities, reporting cadence, change processes, and project risk allocation.  

Identify legal and commercial risks in EPC and construction arrangements and recommend practical mitigation strategies consistent with Company policies, project objectives, and risk tolerance.  

Develop and refine EPC templates, playbooks, training, contracting processes, and practical guidance for transmission project teams  

Education:  

Requires a J.D. (Doctor of Jurisprudence) degree from law school at an accredited college or university.    

Experience:  

Minimum of 10  years of relevant legal experience involving EPC, construction, infrastructure, energy, utility, industrial, procurement, project development, transmission, substation, oil and gas, or other capital project contracts.  Significant experience  with major capital project contracts is preferred .   Substantial relevant non-legal capital project  contracts  experience may count toward this requirement.  

Strong working knowledge of EPC contracts, construction agreements, procurement agreements, major equipment supply agreements, and related project execution documents.  

Experience supporting project execution and construction-related commercial issues, including change order management, warranty issues, schedule impacts, delay claims, performance security,  liens , force majeure, payment disputes, contractor performance, acceptance criteria, and closeout .  

Preferred Experience :  

Experience in one or more of the following areas is helpful, but not required: electric utilities, transmission, substations, large load, interconnection, facilities extension, renewable energy, battery storage, oil and gas, LNG, petrochemical, industrial infrastructure, mission-critical infrastructure, manufacturing, or other complex capital projects.  

Experience with Owner’s Engineer agreements, engineering services agreements, facilities extension agreements, interconnection agreements, EPCM, design-build, construction management, operations and maintenance, AIA-based construction documents, or similar project agreements.  

Experience with open-book EPC structures, conversion-to-lump-sum pricing, contractor entitlement issues, contested change orders, claims avoidance, and informal or formal dispute resolution.  Construction  litigation, arbitration, or mediation experience is a plus.  

Prior  non-legal experience, training, or certifications in engineering, construction management, project management, project controls, procurement, field construction, contract management, technical operations, or capital project execution .  

Experience contributing to contracting standards, risk frameworks, claims strategies, governance processes, or legal playbooks for major capital projects is a plus.  

We want you to know

Being a part of the CenterPoint Energy team is more than a career alone. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact. You will be an integral part of enabling everyday life and the pursuit of possibilities for the customers we serve and the communities we share. The vital services we provide are at the core of making our world work, and by sharing your energy with us, we'll create a better tomorrow together. 

What we bring to you

Competitive pay

Paid training

Benefits eligibility begins on your first day

Transit subsidies

Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off

Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston

Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement

401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Job Type:  Full Time 

Posting Start Date: 07/28/2026​

Posting End Date: 08/11/2026

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a), and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

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