Engineering Manager

piedmontelectricmembership; Hillsborough (NC); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Piedmont Electric Cooperative is seeking a Manager of Engineering to lead a multi-disciplinary team responsible for the design, construction, and maintenance of electrical distribution and transmission systems. The role emphasizes budgeting, project delivery, and regulatory compliance within North Carolina.

The position requires a strong background in engineering leadership, system design, and coordination with internal departments and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelors in electrical engineering or related field.
• 5+ years in electric utilities or power industry.
• 8+ years in system design, planning and project management preferred.
• Minimum 3 years in leadership/supervisory role.
• P.E. license preferred; must be obtained within one year if not active on hire.
• Valid driver’s license with clean record.

Responsibilities

• Oversee planning, design, and construction of electrical distribution and transmission systems.
• Lead a department including Engineering, System Design, Mapping, QA and Dispatch.
• Develop budgets, work plans, and ensure regulatory compliance (NESC, NEC, RUS).
• Manage projects to meet cost, schedule, and quality objectives.
• Coordinate with other departments, regulators, and utilities; act as liaison for member inquiries.
• Provide technical oversight across engineering and design activities.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

System design

Planning

Budgeting

Team coaching

Problem solving

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

GIS

SCADA

OMS

RUS standards

Job description

Job Summary

Under the supervision of the VP, Engineering & Operations, the Manager of Engineering plans and oversees the design, construction, and maintenance of the cooperative's electrical distribution and transmission systems. Key responsibilities include overseeing a department comprised of Engineering, System Design, Mapping, Quality Assurance, and Dispatch, developing construction work plans, system studies, and budgets, ensuring compliance with regulations and codes, and managing projects to meet cost, schedule, and quality objectives. This role also requires close coordination with other departments and external parties, as well as a thorough understanding of system planning, protection, and analysis. This position will be based out of Piedmont EMC’s headquarters located in Hillsborough, NC. However, this position will also be required to visit additional office locations, field projects, and occasionally travel in and out of state.

Essential Duties

• Engage in system planning and design by developing long-range plans, load forecasts, and construction work plans
• Oversee the design of new facilities and upgrades to existing ones, ensuring compliance with codes like the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) and National Electrical Code (NEC)
• Manage projects with planning, scheduling, and the execution of all engineering projects, from substations to transmission lines and ensure all projects are completed on time and within budget
• Assume a leadership role with supervising, coaching, and mentoring a team of engineers and technical staff
• Provide technical oversight by directing engineering and technical design for all electrical system projects
• Oversee system modeling, analysis (e.g., voltage drop, fault current), and protection coordination
• Adhere to all compliance, standards and requirements by ensuring all engineering and construction activities comply with applicable federal, state, and cooperative standards, including those from the Rural Utilities Service (RUS)
• Conduct all financial and contractual management by developing and managing the engineering budget
• Oversee the development of specifications and contracts for materials and construction, primarily through competitive bidding
• Manage all stakeholder coordination and collaborate with other departments (such as Operations), regulatory bodies, and other utilities to ensure seamless operations and project execution
• Act as a key contact with member support and resolve member inquiries regarding power quality issues

Education, Experience, and Skill Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or other relevant field of study required
• Minimum 5 years’ experience in the electric utility or power industry required
• 8+ years’ experience in the industry with a strong emphasis on system design, planning, and project management strongly preferred
• Minimum 3 years’ experience in a leadership, supervisory, or team lead role
• Current and active Professional Engineer (P.E.) license through the state of North Carolina strongly preferred; P.E. license must be obtained within one year of hire date, if no license is active on hire
• Current and active driver’s license with a clean driving record
• Must have a strong working knowledge of system design, planning, and project management
• Must have strong working knowledge of RUS specifications, NESC, NES and other relevant standards and codes
• Must have the ability and skillset to navigate through engineering software systems such as GIS, SCADA, and OMS.
• Must have the ability to lead and manage a team through small to large-scale projects
• Must have the ability and skillset to drive team performance, professional development, training and complete team performance appraisals
• Must have working knowledge of all Microsoft Office applications

About Us

Piedmont Electric Cooperative is a member-owned, not-for-profit organization serving over 34,000 electric accounts across multiple counties in North Carolina. The Cooperative is committed to community engagement, economic development, youth education, energy advocacy, and emergency preparedness. We foster an inclusive, positive culture that supports employee growth, development, and equal employment opportunities based on merit and business needs. To serve our members to the best of our ability, our culture will always remain at the forefront of the Cooperative.