Manager, Distribution Engineering - NJ Reliability

Socket.dev; Morristown (NJ); On-site; USD 152,000 - 178,000; Full time

Job summary

FirstEnergy is seeking an experienced engineering leader to manage Utility Operations Engineering Services for the Distribution function, focusing on Planning and Protection, DER, reliability and asset management. The role is onsite at the Morristown or Holmdel offices, with a posting expiry of Sept 30, 2026.

You will drive safety, reliability, and customer-focused outcomes while coordinating with internal and external stakeholders.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering/engineering technology or PE license is required.
• Minimum 7 years of related work experience in engineering design, reliability, planning, and DER.
• PE and/or PMP certifications are preferred.
• Demonstrated leadership and management experience is required.
• Solid understanding of electrical utility transmission/distribution design and safety requirements.
• Knowledge of NEC and FE distribution policies and procedures.

Responsibilities

• Lead engineering services team and provide direction to staff.
• Maintain strong safety commitment in all daily activities.
• Drive continuous improvement across the business unit and FirstEnergy.
• Oversee complex analyses for distribution design, reliability, and planning.
• Ensure accountability and timely delivery of milestones and budgets.
• Engage stakeholders and align on safety, reliability, and customer service goals.
• Analyze issues and make data-driven recommendations for major decisions.
• Schedule work according to established processes and procedures.
• Champion capital portfolio development and process improvements.
• Monitor monthly budget performance and explain variances.

Skills

Leadership

Project management

Stakeholder communication

Data-driven decisions

Safety awareness

Office tools

Education

Bachelor's degree / PE license

PE certification preferred

PMP certification preferred

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

Access

Word

Job description

FirstEnergy at a Glance

We are a forward-thinking electric utility powered by a diverse team of employees committed to making customers’ lives brighter, the environment better and our communities stronger.

FirstEnergy(NYSE: FE) is dedicated to integrity, safety, reliability, and operational excellence. Headquartered in Akron, Ohio, FirstEnergy includes one of the nation’s largest investor-owned electric systems, more than 24,000 miles of transmission lines that connect the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions, and a regulated generating fleet with a total capacity of more than 3,500 megawatts.

About the Opportunity

This is an open position with Jersey Central Power & Light, a subsidiary of FirstEnergy Corp.

This position manages and directs Utility Operations Engineering Services activities for the Distribution function of the company, focusing on Planning and Protection, Distributed Energy Resources (DER), Reliability and/or Asset Management, or Engineering Design and New Customer Service Requests. This may include establishing and tracking regulatory programs, providing asset management of the plant, determining reliability strategies, making strategic capacity planning decisions, all distribution design, and meeting customer needs regarding new service.

This position reports onsite at either the Morristown General Office in Morristown, NJ or the Holmdel Office in Holmdel, NJ. This posting expires at 11:55PM on Wednesday September 30, 2026.

Responsibilities include:

• Being accountable for the performance and results of engineering services team, providing leadership and direction to fellow team members.
• Maintaining a high level of safety commitment throughout day-to-day functions.
• Driving continuous improvement across the business unit and FirstEnergy.
• Overseeing complex engineering analysis and problem solving in relation to distribution design and construction, reliability, and distribution planning activities.
• Creating an environment of accountability and a sense of urgency for meeting agreed-upon expectations and deadlines with internal and external stakeholders.
• Engaging employees to establish and achieve scheduled milestones and appropriate benchmarking measures for safety, reliability, customer service, financial performance, and compliance.
• Analyzing complex issues and developing actionable recommendations; ensuring that decisions impacting the organization are based on data and sound engineering reasoning.
• Understanding and scheduling work according to established processes and procedures.
• Leading efforts that increase productivity and goal accomplishment across business unit.
• Championing capital portfolio development and process.
• Reviewing and analyzing budget performance monthly to identify, explain and report variances.
• Identifying, troubleshooting, and resolving problems on projects and/or processes before they become major issues.
• Continually seeking opportunities to increase customer satisfaction and broaden/deepen relationships anticipating customers' needs and proposing alternative solutions when necessary.
• Actively seeking and sharing own knowledge of industry trends, competitors, etc. that affect the business unit and/or FirstEnergy Corp.
• Supporting the FirstEnergy storm process.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering / engineering technology or other technical discipline, or Professional Engineer’s (PE) License is required.
• Minimum 7 years’ related work experience is required. Related work experience includes engineering design, reliability, system planning, substation construction and maintenance, distribution construction and maintenance, Distributed Energy Resources (DER), asset management, new business, etc.
• Professional engineering (PE) certification and / or Project Management Professional (PMP) certification preferred.
• Demonstrated previous and/or current management/leadership experience is required.
• Thorough understanding of electrical utility transmission and distribution system design, system planning, operational requirements, safety, and customer requirements.
• Knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code.
• Working knowledge of Construction and Material Standards and FE Distribution Policies and Procedures.
• Knowledge of information systems such as Microsoft Office tools, including Excel, Access, PowerPoint, and Word.
• Self-motivated and enthusiastic leader capable of communicating, motivating, and driving team toward positive change and improvement.
• Exceptional relationship management, leadership, teamwork, and managerial skills.
• Superior customer relations skills and strong written/oral communication skills to make clear, accurate and concise written and/or verbal reports.
• Able to adapt communication skills to all audiences.
• Demonstrated ability to manage multiple projects and the ability to lead others in achieving goals for the benefit of the business unit and FirstEnergy.
• Able to make accurate decisions and demonstrate sound judgment.

Benefits, Compensation & Workforce Diversity

At FirstEnergy, employees are key to our success. We depend on their talents to meet the challenges of our changing business environment. We are committed to rewarding individual and team efforts through our total rewards philosophy which includes competitive pay plus incentive compensation, a company-sponsored pension plan, 401(k) savings plan with matching employer contribution, a choice of medical, prescription drug, dental, vision, and life insurance programs, as well as skills development training with tuition reimbursement. Please visit our website at www.firstenergycorp.com to learn more about all of our employee rewards programs. FirstEnergy proudly supports workforce diversity. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with a disability. No recruiters or agencies without a previously signed contract. Unable to sponsor or transfer H-1B visas at this time.

FirstEnergy takes a market-based approach to pay, which may vary depending on your location. In addition, your actual base salary will depend on various factors such as your skills, qualifications, and experience.

The estimated pay range for this role is $152,000 - $178,000.

Safety

Safety is a core value for FirstEnergy and is essential to all of our business activities. We ensure employees have the tools, information, and processes to perform their duties in a manner that assures safety for themselves, their co-workers, our customers and the public. Our goals are to provide a safe work environment, to maintain an accident-free, injury-free workplace, and to promote and maintain public safety. To meet these goals, we dedicate ourselves to achieving world-class safety standards.

Position Classification

Exempt

FirstEnergy Human Resources Team