Director - Utility Substations

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Atwell (NY)

Hybrid

USD 150,000 - 200,000

Full time

4 days ago

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Benefits offered by this job

Paid Time Off

Parental Leave

Flexible schedules

Travel vouchers

Job summary

Atwell seeks a Director – Utility Substations to provide strategic leadership and technical oversight of substation engineering for utility clients. You will guide a team of engineers, establish standards, and drive high-quality delivery of Physical and Protection & Control designs.

The role emphasizes workforce planning, mentorship, and collaboration across departments to meet revenue and growth targets, with local/in-office and full-time remote options.

Qualifications

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEE or BSEET).
10+ years of progressive experience in substation engineering, including P&C or Substation Physical, with at least 4 years in leadership.
PE license preferred.

Responsibilities

Develop strategic plans for the substation group to meet goals in growth, efficiency, and profitability.
Lead hiring for lead engineers and team leaders; oversee onboarding of new team members.
Ensure quality of deliverables and client satisfaction across multiple projects.

Skills

Leadership

Substation design

Team management

Education

BSEE/BSEET

Job description

Director – Utility Substations

About the Position

As the Director of Utility Substations, you will provide strategic leadership and technical oversight for teams delivering substation Physical, and Protection & Control (P&C) engineering services to utility clients. This role is responsible for driving consistent, high-quality execution across the portfolio while aligning team performance with organizational objectives and client expectations.

The Director leads a functional group of engineering teams within the substation 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 and training.

In addition, the Director is responsible for guiding the group to meet business objectives, including revenue targets, resource utilization, and strategic growth initiatives. Key responsibilities include workforce planning and resource alignment across projects, mentoring and developing 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 shaping the group’s technical direction, advancing industry engagement, and ensuring the team is well-positioned to deliver reliable, compliant, and constructible substation solutions.

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.

Essential Responsibilities

Strategic Planning and Forecasting

Collaborates with VP to develop and implement a multi-year group plan to achieve department and company goals for growth, efficiency, and profitability
Collaborates with VP, Business Development and Sales to identify potential clients that could benefit from NEI’s expertise
Strengthens existing client relationships and encourages repeat business by ensuring exceptional project delivery and proactive communication. Encourages and monitors client feedback to address concerns and continuously improve service quality. Assists with client contacts and 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 substation 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 substation design 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, COGS, 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.

Qualifications & Experience

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEE or BSEET) from an accredited institution; power systems focus preferred
Experience: 10+ years of progressive experience in substation engineering, including Protection & Control (P&C) or Substation Physical, with at least 4 years in a leadership or team management role
Licensure: Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred

Technical Expertise

Strong knowledge of electrical power systems, substation design, and Protection & Control (P&C) engineering, including protective relaying principles and Substation Physical principles
Experience delivering comprehensive substation design packages
Proficiency with industry-standard regulations, compliance requirements and strong background creating cohesive processes
Working knowledge of applicable codes, standards, and utility practices related to substation design and operation

Leadership & Professional Skills

Demonstrated ability to lead teams and manage complex projects and initiatives, driving high-quality outcomes
Proven track record of improving processes, enhancing efficiency, and supporting continuous improvement initiatives
Strong organizational and problem-solving skills, with the ability to prioritize and manage competing demands
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to effectively engage stakeholders at all levels
High level of professional judgment, accountability, and decision-making capability
Proven ability to build relationships, foster collaboration, and contribute to a positive, inclusive team culture

Additional Requirements

Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Excel, Word)
Self-motivated with the ability to work independently in a fast-paced environment
Authorized to work in the United States on a full-time basis

Working Conditions

Work Environment:

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

Travel:

Minimal: 5 – 15%

Physical Activities: Managerial Responsibility:

Must be able to lift 25lbs. Director is responsible for reviewing 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.

Disclaimer

While AI tools may support your application process, this role is built on human talent. Your judgment, experience, and character matter most, so we encourage you to showcase what makes you uniquely you.

Atwell does not accept unsolicited resumes from any 3rd party agencies. No fee will be paid to 3rd parties who submit unsolicited resumes to any Atwell employee. Resumes from approved vendors must be specifically requested by Atwell and approved by the Atwell Talent Acquisition Team.

Pay Range

$150,000 — $200,000 USD

Atwell Benefits

To attract and retain the best professionals in the industry, we aim to provide an excellent working environment and a progressive benefits program designed to support your personal and professional needs.

Work/Life

Generous Paid Time Off
Paid Parental Leave
Flexible work schedules are available for some positions
Tenure Awards — Travel Vouchers to see the world based on your travel preferences

Compensation

Competitive Compensation packages
Annual bonuses, spot bonuses and peer recognition awards
401K match - 1:1 up to 4% of compensation
Tuition Assistance
Student Loan Repayment
Paid Licensing / Certification Fees and Renewals
Financial Rewards for Obtaining Licensure
Employee Referrals
Annual Wellness Reimbursement for anything wellness related (Gym memberships, fitness tracker, home gym equipment, etc.)
Dependent Care Match

‘Atwell’ness

Medical (BC/BS), Dental (Delta), Vision (VSP)
Family Planning & IVF Benefits
Pet Insurance
Health Savings Account & Flex Spending Account options
Employer paid LTD, STD, and life insurance
Metlife Supplemental Benefits covering accident, hospitalization, and critical illness
Member Assistance Program (MAP) with complimentary counseling sessions, legal benefits, financial consultations, and work/life referral services

Company Awards

Atwell, LLC is a proud recipient of the following 2025 awards: