Engineer - T&D Program Management (Columbus)

Burns & McDonnell; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 100,000 - 220,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer in the program management track to lead multi-project efforts from inception through closeout. Oversee 5–20 projects concurrently across 4kV–765kV, coordinating across substation, transmission, and telecom domains, while meeting safety, schedule, and budget targets. Columbus, OH, full‑time; ESOP and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, civil engineering from ABET‑accredited program.
• Minimum of three years of engineering design or project management experience.
• E.I.T. or PE license preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead cross‑functional teams to execute substation, transmission, and telecom projects from inception through design and construction to closeout.
• Oversee 5–20 projects concurrently of varying sizes and voltages.
• Manage projects for schedule adherence and cost forecast for an estimate-at-completion.
• Coordinate client gate approvals and present to senior management.
• Prepare analyses and reports to track progress and performance.

Skills

Engineering design

Project management

Communication skills

Leadership

Analytical skills

EIT/PE license

Interpersonal skills

Travel readiness

Education

ABET-accredited degree programs

Bachelor's degree in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering

Job description

Burns & McDonnell is proud to be the market leader in providing program management services to the electric utility industry. As our clients focus on their capital investment in the energy delivery market, Burns & McDonnell brings a seasoned team to assist them across a variety of operational roles to ensure the needed grid improvements are executed on time and on budget. The ideal candidate will have a safety-first mindset, be dedicated to making their clients and teams successful, and take an entrepreneurial approach to their job. As programs are an extension of our clients day-to-day operations, roles within the program management track allow for frequent, often daily, client interaction. Engineers on the program management track leverage their technical expertise and education to make informed decisions in the execution of projects on behalf of our clients. Program management often offers engineers an opportunity to lead a team in one of the below functional areas after demonstrated proficiency. Generally, engineers in program management will pursue job responsibilities in the following areas:

Project Management

• Lead a cross-functional team to execute substation, transmission line, and telecommunication projects from inception through design and construction to closeout.
• Oversee 5-20 projects concurrently of varying sizes ($100k-$50M ) and voltages (4kV-765kV).
• Manage projects for schedule adherence identifying risks and requirements to successfully achieve a project’s in-service date.
• Navigate projects through client gate approval processes including presentations to senior and executive management as required by each client.
• Manage projects for financial adherence maintaining an accurate cost forecast reflecting committed and uncommitted costs for an estimate-at-completion.
• Coordinate craft labor resources with client approved vendors for construction, testing and other field activities.
• Provide regular status updates on projects by maintaining project data and routine reporting as well as meeting updates for clients.
• Lead project meetings with cost, schedule, real estate, environmental, construction and engineering resources to facilitate project execution.

Portfolio Management

• Develop a multi-year capital expenditure plan to support client’s replacement and betterment of electric transmission and distribution assets.
• Regular interface and coordination with project sponsor organizations to determine details of proposed plans and business justification.
• Ensure synergies across projects are incorporated into the portfolio of work to prevent scope from being duplicated or performed inefficiently.
• Monitor composition of client’s capital investment allocation to align with stated subsidiary investment targets for optimal rate of return.
• Engage with project sponsors to evaluate need-by date for realistic schedules and budgets.
• Assist with creation and compilation of rate filing support for federal and state filings.
• Review tabletop engineering estimates for accuracy and scope.
• Review project change requests (scope, In-service date, etc.) and reconcile with the existing and long-range portfolio of work.
• Interface with client’s accounting group to establish financial setup for projects.
• Create analyses & reports to assist the client in tracking, coordination, and execution of projects.
• Build baseline scopes, schedules, and budgets to be released to multiple client’s stakeholders.

Outage/Construction Sequencing

• Responsible for development of substation and transmission project construction lifecycles with focus on outage efficiency and constructability.
• Manage multiple projects simultaneously while meeting specified deliverable dates and expectations.
• Analyze scoping and project documents to determine boundaries of required construction within substation and within electric grid.
• Conduct site walkdowns and project calls with project team as necessary to establish an achievable construction sequence with attainable outages.
• Analyze needed outages against adjacent outages scheduled in the area.
• Create initial outage sequence to communicate proposed construction lifecycle to project team.
• Coordinate with drafting resources to create engineering-caliber drawings that document the evolution of a project from present conditions to final state and all needed incremental steps.

As part of the Burns & McDonnell team we are looking for team members that foster a culture based on our MacCulture Principles, quality, diversity, and inclusion to enhance team cohesion and camaraderie. Individuals who want to tackle new and novel challenges within the utility industry to help our clients improve the execution of capital investment work can find entrepreneurial opportunities to assist in the pursuit and expansion of our program management offerings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, civil engineering or related degree from an ABET-accredited program required.
• Minimum of three years of experience in engineering design, project management or a relevant role.
• Excellent facilitation, collaboration, organization, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to thoughtfully and positively influence, lead and manage.
• Strong planning and analytical skills.
• E.I.T. or PE license preferred.
• Must demonstrate superb 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.
• Travel 10-20% depending on project assignment and client needs.

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 Electrical Engineering

Primary Location US-OH-Columbus

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 20 % of the Time

Req ID: 260335

Job Hire Type Experienced #T&D