Job profile 2026
What is a chargé d'affaires? Job profile, salary and hiring in 2026
The chargé d'affaires carries a project or contract from start to finish: they price the bid, negotiate it, organise delivery, track the budget and the margin, and remain the client's point of contact. In electrical engineering and energy, they manage grid connection, electrical installation, EV charging point or maintenance projects.
In brief: grid connection project manager salary, €32-38k to €58-69k. Source: Energy and Transition Barometer 2026, Volta Executive; job openings published by Volta Executive in 2026, updated on 8 October 2026.
By Florian Beurtey, engineer and founder of Volta Executive. Published on 8 October 2026, updated on 8 October 2026.
Project manager (chargé d'affaires) : the role in figures
| Grid connection project manager salary | €32-38k to €58-69k |
|---|---|
| Senior electrical engineering project manager | €60-80k (Volta opening, Grand Est, 2026) |
| Electrical engineering branch director | €70-90k (Volta opening, Grand Est, 2026) |
| Shortage level | Critical in electrical grid connection |
Duties of the project manager
- Analyse the client's needs and price the bid
- Negotiate the contract and the price
- Organise delivery: teams, subcontractors, purchasing, schedule
- Track the budget, the margin and invoicing
- Remain the client's point of contact through to acceptance
Skills required
- Pricing and margin management
- Technical knowledge of the trade: electrical engineering, energy, maintenance
- Site management and team coordination
- Negotiation and client relations
- Site safety and regulations
Reference standards and regulations
| NF C 15-100 | Rules for low-voltage electrical installations |
|---|---|
| NF C 18-510 | Electrical authorisation for staff |
| S3REnR | Regional schemes for connecting renewable energy to the grid |
Training to become a project manager (chargé d'affaires)
- BTS or BUT in electrical engineering, Bac+2 to Bac+3
- Professional bachelor's degree or engineering degree in electrical engineering, Bac+3 to Bac+5
Career paths
- Technician or works supervisor
- Project manager (chargé d'affaires)
- Lead project manager
- Branch manager
Salary of the project manager in 2026
National basis, fixed annual gross, excluding variable pay and role allowances. The Paris and region columns are derived from the barometer's reference framework (Paris about 12% higher, regions about 5% lower, except for roles in extreme shortage, which are aligned with the national figure).
Grid connection project manager (S3REnR)
| Seniority | National | Paris | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | 32–38 k€ | 36–43 k€ | 32–38 k€ |
| 2 to 5 years | 38–46 k€ | 43–52 k€ | 38–46 k€ |
| 5 to 10 years | 46–58 k€ | 52–65 k€ | 46–58 k€ |
| 10+ years | 58–69 k€ | 65–77 k€ | 58–69 k€ |
EV charging project manager (charging points)
| Seniority | National | Paris | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| 0 to 2 years | 36–45 k€ | 40–50 k€ | 34–43 k€ |
| 2 to 5 years | 45–55 k€ | 50–62 k€ | 43–52 k€ |
| 5 to 10 years | 55–66 k€ | 62–74 k€ | 52–63 k€ |
| 10+ years | 66–80 k€ | 74–90 k€ | 63–76 k€ |
Lead project manager, electrical engineering (Volta opening, Grand Est)
| Seniority | National | Paris | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| All levels of experience | 60–80 k€ | 67–90 k€ | 57–76 k€ |
Electrical engineering branch manager (Volta opening, Grand Est)
| Seniority | National | Paris | Region |
|---|---|---|---|
| All levels of experience | 70–90 k€ | 78–101 k€ | 67–86 k€ |
A variable component linked to project margins is often added to the fixed salary, especially for lead project manager and branch manager roles.
Source: Energy and Transition Barometer 2026, Volta Executive; job openings published by Volta Executive in 2026. Figures in €k gross per year.
The full barometer, role by role
This profile reproduces part of the grids of Volta Executive's 2026 Industry and Energy Pay Barometer. The barometer covers every role in industry and energy, with lead times and shortage levels.
Project manager (chargé d'affaires) : the market in 2026
Shortage level for grid connection project managers (Energy and Transition Barometer 2026)
Range for a lead project manager in electrical engineering (Volta opening 2026)
Range for an electrical engineering branch manager (Volta opening 2026)
Connecting installations to the electricity grid creates strong demand for project managers, ranked as critical shortage by the barometer. Good profiles hold a margin and a client portfolio: they are in post and rarely move without a direct approach.
Who is hiring
Electrical engineering and installation companies, grid operators and service providers, EV charging point installers, industrial maintenance companies.
Hiring a project manager (chargé d'affaires)?
A lead project manager or a branch manager who holds a margin is in post and in demand. Volta Executive approaches them directly, in confidence.
Talk about my hireAre you a project manager (chargé d'affaires)?
Send your CV without booking a meeting. If your profile matches a current or upcoming assignment, we will contact you.
See the openings and send my CVFrequently asked questions about the role of the project manager
What is a chargé d'affaires' salary in 2026?
In electrical grid connection, from €32-38k at the start of a career to €58-69k after ten years (Energy and Transition Barometer 2026). A lead project manager in electrical engineering earns between €60k and €80k (opening published by Volta in Grand Est).
What does a chargé d'affaires do?
They carry a project from start to finish: pricing, negotiation, organising the site, tracking the budget and the margin, client relations through to acceptance.
What career path for a chargé d'affaires?
Lead project manager, then branch manager. An electrical engineering branch manager opening published by Volta in 2026 sits between €70k and €90k.
What training do you need to become a chargé d'affaires?
A BTS or BUT in electrical engineering, supplemented by site experience; a professional bachelor's degree or an engineering degree speeds up access to major projects.
Is a chargé d'affaires a salesperson?
In part: they sell and negotiate, but they are also accountable for delivery and margin. That dual role is what sets them apart from a salesperson.
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Learn more
- Openings: lead project manager, electrical engineering
- Openings: electrical engineering branch manager
- BESS, HV/LV recruitment
- Industry and energy salary barometer 2026
Sources and method
- Energy and Transition Barometer 2026, Volta Executive
- Job openings published by Volta Executive (Grand Est, 2026)
The grids are on a national basis, fixed annual gross. Paris and region values are calculated with the barometer's geographic reference framework.