Assistant Department Manager - Overhead Transmission

Burns & McDonnell; Fort Snelling Unorganized Territory (MN); On-site; USD 100,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell is seeking an Assistant Department Manager to lead and grow the overhead transmission design engineering team in the Upper Midwest. This dual role blends hands-on engineering with mentoring interns, designers, and engineers within the Transmission Department.

The role balances technical delivery with client relationship work, staff development, and initiatives to improve quality, efficiency, and profitability.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, architecture, construction, or related field with 5 years of relevant design or project management experience.
• Previous leadership or management experience preferred.
• Excellent oral and written communication, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to present complex information clearly to all levels.
• Ability to influence, lead, and manage change with a strategic perspective.
• Strong project management skills with attention to scope, schedule, and budget.

Responsibilities

• Perform overhead transmission design engineering duties on active projects.
• Provide managerial direction and leadership to interns, designers, and engineers.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain engineering talent.
• Coordinate staffing with department manager and project managers to ensure efficient utilization.
• Conduct performance reviews and development conversations.
• Identify training needs and support departmental programs.
• Foster an ownership culture and healthy work‑life balance.
• Advance safety and uphold Burns & McDonnell values.
• Assist with developing new clients and reviewing proposals.
• Support business initiatives to improve profitability and efficiency; approve timecards and billable goals.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Communication

Strategic thinking

Project management

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering/architecture/construction or related field

Tools

Microsoft Word

Excel

PowerPoint

Job description

Description

We are seeking an Assistant Department Manager to lead and grow our overhead transmission design engineering team in the Upper Midwest Region. This is a dual-role position combining hands‑on overhead transmission design engineering with the managerial direction and development of interns, designers, and engineers within the Transmission Department.

The successful candidate will balance technical delivery with people leadership including mentoring a growing team, supporting client relationships and pursuits, and driving initiatives that improve quality, efficiency, and profitability across the department. This role reports to Transmission Department management.

Technical & Project Delivery

• Perform overhead transmission design engineering duties in support of active projects.
• Demonstrate creativity, foresight, and mature judgment in anticipating and resolving technical and organizational problems.
• Provide input on areas of concern and direction to advance productivity goals, budgets, and quality standards.
• Champion an innovative culture that challenges the status quo and leverages tools, technology, and processes to drive continuous improvement.

Team Leadership & Development

• Provide managerial direction and leadership to interns, designers, and engineers.
• Recruit, develop, train, and retain engineering talent.
• Coordinate team and mentor assignments with the Transmission Department Manager, project managers, and project engineers to ensure efficient, cost‑effective staff utilization.
• Conduct performance reviews and development conversations, including 90‑day and annual appraisals, mid‑year reviews, coaching sessions, and performance improvement plans.
• Identify training needs and support or develop departmental training programs, collaborating with other departments on shared training initiatives.
• Foster a healthy, vibrant employee‑owner culture through sound team‑building practices, effective conflict resolution, promotion of an ownership mentality, healthy work‑life balance, and community engagement.
• Interpret organizational policies, purpose, and goals for staff.

Safety & Culture

• Advocate for safety within the department and reinforce safety as a shared responsibility.
• Actively foster a culture grounded in our Burns & McDonnell principles, quality, diversity and inclusion, and team cohesion.

Business Development & Operations

• Assist with developing new clients and maintaining existing client relationships.
• Assist with developing and reviewing proposals.
• Support the Transmission Department Management team in developing business initiatives that improve profitability and efficiency.
• Approve timecards and ensure billable time goals are met.
• Perform other duties as assigned by Transmission Department management and senior management.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in engineering, architecture, construction or related degree from accredited program and 5 years related professional experience in design and/or project management required.
• Previous leadership and/or management experience is preferable.
• Must demonstrate excellent oral and written communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and the ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to all levels of employees, management, and clients.
• Position requires the ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead, and manage change.
• Must possess strong project management skills and a strategic perspective.
• Must be expert in the use of computer software (i.e., Microsoft Word, Excel, PowerPoint).

Compensation

$100,000.00-220,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year‑end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee‑owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page. This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Project Management

Primary Location US-MN-Minneapolis/St Paul

Schedule: Full‑time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID: 264715

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-EF #T&D