Director - Utility Studies

NEI Electric Power Engineering, Inc.; United States; Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employer paid premiums for Medical, Dental, Vision

401(k) with employer matching

Paid parental leave

Career development opportunities

Job summary

NEI Electric Power Engineering, Inc. is seeking a Director of Studies – Utilities to lead strategic initiatives in power system studies and utility consulting. Located in Lakewood, Colorado, this role involves overseeing multiple engineering teams, ensuring quality execution, and fostering client relationships across renewable and transmission sectors.

With a competitive salary range of $150,000 – 200,000 annually, the position supports both local and remote candidates. The Director will drive operational efficiency and maintain best practices within the department.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of engineering experience, 2+ years in management.
• In-depth knowledge of electrical system studies.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic leadership and technical oversight.
• Drive consistent execution across various studies.
• Manage quality and deliverables ensuring client satisfaction.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic Planning

Collaboration

Problem Solving

Communication

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

M.S. preferred

Tools

DIgSILENT Power Factory

ETAP

Microsoft Office

Job description

As the Director of Studies – Utilities, you will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for teams delivering advanced power system studies and utility consulting services to clients across the utility, renewable, industrial, and transmission sectors. This role is responsible for driving consistent, high-quality execution across interconnection studies, grounding studies, feasibility studies, transmission line studies, relay settings and coordination, transmission planning, and lightning and illumination studies while aligning team performance with organizational objectives and client expectations.

The Director leads a functional group of engineering teams within the utility studies discipline, with accountability for establishing and maintaining departmental standards, best practices, and quality assurance processes. This role focuses on enhancing operational efficiency, improving workflows, and strengthening technical capabilities through structured processes, mentorship, and technical development.

In addition, the Director is responsible for guiding the group to meet business objectives, including revenue targets, resource utilization, operational efficiency, profitability, and strategic growth initiatives. Key responsibilities include workforce planning, resource alignment across projects, leadership development, mentorship of Team Leads and Engineers, and fostering a collaborative, inclusive, and high-performance environment focused on client success.

The Director also plays a critical role in scaling the utility studies business unit by developing repeatable execution models, expanding technical offerings, strengthening client relationships, improving organizational leverage, and positioning the organization as a trusted industry leader in utility studies and system planning services.

Salary Range: $150,000 – 200,000 / year

The salary range above is based upon the Denver, Colorado labor market.

This opportunity is available to both local / in-office (Lakewood, Colorado) and full-time remote candidates.

Strategic Planning and Forecasting

• Collaborates with executive leadership to develop and implement a multi‑year strategic plan focused on growth, operational maturity, scalability, efficiency and profitability
• Partners with Business Development and Sales teams to identify market opportunities and expand utility studies services across utility, renewable, industrial, and transmission sectors
• Supports long‑term organizational planning by forecasting staffing demands, backlog capacity, utilization trends, and technical specialization needs.
• Participates in strategic client discussions, proposal development, and scope definition to align technical execution with growth opportunities and business objectives
• Strengthens existing client relationships and promotes repeat business through exceptional project delivery, responsiveness, and proactive communication

Industry Involvement

• Ensuring the team has representation on the right IEEE or other industry committees and sub boards
• Producing a plan for the department to produce at least 1 white paper or conference presentation a year

Leadership and Collaboration

• Builds and maintains a high‑performing studies group, fostering a culture of collaboration, innovation, and continuous improvement
• Collaborates with other departments and leaders to ensure alignment of goals, objectives, and expectations across the organization
• Performs other duties as assigned

Resource Allocation and Management

• Develops appropriate team structure and mix of staff
• Leads hiring efforts for lead engineers and team leaders
• Assists in interviewing and onboarding new team members across the studies teams
• Forecasts future staffing needs
• Monitors and manages group workload and team utilization, forecasting workloads based around project sizes and scope

Management of Execution and Performance

• Manages quality and deliverables across multiple teams ensuring client satisfaction and timely completion of project deliverables
• Reviews the work of teams for general quality and ensures accuracy as required
• Monitors group progress and performance, identifies and addresses obstacles and adjusts as needed to ensure successful project completion
• Reviews and manages documentation around financial statements, including, but not limited to, revenue, write‑offs, overhead expenses, and net income
• Serves as a mentor to Team Leads and Engineers across teams
• Participates and engages with the Business Development team to provide technical guidance, pricing details, and scope to ensure cross‑functional alignment
• Facilitates a seller‑doer model to maintain existing client relationships and build new ones.
• Prepares a variety of documents and reports associated with projects including cost estimates, budget reports, and studies
• Maintains professional understanding of all applicable Codes and Standards, and construction practices

Process Development and Improvement

• Develops, outlines, updates, and implements Standard Best Practices (SBPs) and enforces them to ensure high‑level execution from various team members
• Coordinates the creation and implementation of new tools, processes, workflows, and training programs that enhance efficiency, effectiveness, and quality across the group

Must Have

• Education: B.S. in Electrical Engineering from an accredited institution, M.S. preferred.
• Experience: 5+ years of engineering or relevant field experience, 2+ years of engineering management experience.
• Licensure: PE is preferred
• In‑depth knowledge and familiarity with a wide variety of electrical system studies such as short‑circuit, load flow/reactive power, harmonics, arc flash, protection/coordination, cable ampacity, grounding/earthing, transient stability, transient over‑voltage and switching.
• Familiarity with a wide variety of electrical system studies software such as DIgSILENT Power Factory, ETAP, CYMCAP, CDEGS, WinIGS, PSCAD, PSLF, and PSS/e.
• Preferred: experience performing system studies and services that support the utility market. Experience with design and construction of renewable energy projects such as wind, solar or battery storage is a plus.
• Strong understanding of power system operations and planning including transient analysis, system protection coordination, transmission system planning and NERC reliability standards.
• Proficient in Microsoft Office, including Excel, Word, and Project.
• Professional, articulate, and able to exercise independent judgement and discretion.
• Highly organized and self‑motivated.
• Excellent written and verbal command of the English language.
• Authorization to work in the United States on a full‑time basis.
• Proven record of delivering high‑quality work with attention to detail.
• Demonstrates effective written and oral communication skills.

Working Conditions

Work is performed in an office setting, and some field work may be required

Travel:

Minimal: 15 – 25%

Managerial Responsibility:

Must be able to lift 25lbs.

Director is responsible for review of project related financial statements, team utilization and forecasting, and project oversight when necessary. The Director will also be responsible for management and oversight of Team Leads and Engineers assigned to their discipline.

We are a proud equal opportunity employer and we do not discriminate on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship status, marital status, disability, gender identity, gender expression, veteran status, or genetic information.

• 100% Employer paid team member premiums for Medical, Dental, Vision, Basic Life Insurance, and Long‑Term Disability
• Voluntary Life Insurance
• 401(k) with employer matching; 100% immediate vesting
• Annual & discretionary bonus programs
• Paid vacation and sick time
• Employer paid licensure (FE/PE), certifications, seminars, & conferences
• Paid parental leave
• Eight (8) paid holidays including a floating holiday to use at your discretion
• Annual Team Building
• Hybrid work environment with remote flexibility
• Career development, training, and coaching opportunities

NEI Electric Power Engineering participates in E‑Verify and will provide the federal government with your completed Form I‑9 to confirm your work authorization in the United States.