Manager, Distribution Planning

LUMA Energy; San Juan (PR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

LUMA Energy is seeking a Distribution Planning Manager to lead the development of power flow models and manage planning studies that support regulatory compliance, customer growth, and grid reliability.

The role requires directing internal and external technical evaluations, forecasting load and DER impacts, and guiding budget, KPIs, and team development to strengthen system resilience and regulatory submissions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering; electrical engineering preferred.
• 5 years in Electrical Systems Engineering/Planning with 3+ years supervising and budgeting experience.
• Experience with power flow tools (Synergi, CYME, Milsoft) and GIS (G-Tech, ESRI) for distribution planning.

Responsibilities

• Manages Distribution System power flow model development for planning studies and regulatory compliance.
• Manages Distribution Planning technical studies including power flow, short-circuit, voltage optimization and power quality evaluations.
• Oversees stakeholder requests for technical evaluations (load interconnections, DER/microgrid, power quality investigations).
• Leads long-term grid capacity planning with forecasts and analyses to propose capacity and resilience projects.
• Supports system reliability improvements by identifying deficiencies and proposing investments.
• Coordinates regulatory deliverables and reporting submissions.
• Manages and develops team members, budgets, and KPIs for performance improvements.
• Ensures policies and standards are applied to mitigate compliance risks.
• Leads restoration and emergency preparedness planning.
• Oversees expanded duties aligned with organizational priorities.

Skills

Leadership

Strategic planning

Budget management

Team supervision

Stakeholder communication

Project management

MS Office

Excel

Presentations

Regulatory compliance

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering

Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Synergi

CYME

Milsoft

G-Tech

ESRI

Microsoft Project

Job description

Job Summary:

Manages distribution planning functions, ensuring technical integrity, regulatory compliance, and system reliability through effective leadership, resource management, and team development.

Job Description:

• Manages Distribution System power flow model development for use in short-term, mid-term, and long-term planning studies, to support regulatory compliance, customer and developer growth, and grid reliability needs.
• Manages Distribution Planning technical studies and assessments, which may include power flow, short-circuit, voltage optimization and power quality evaluations, to ensure accurate analysis of system performance.
• Manages internal and external stakeholder requests for technical evaluations, such as load interconnections, DER/microgrid interconnections, power quality investigations, construction sequencing, and long‑term system studies, to enable timely and data‑driven decisions.
• Manages long‑term grid capacity planning by incorporating load, bulk generation, and DER forecasts and performing technical analyses to assess future grid performance, to propose projects that ensure adequate capacity and system resilience.
• Supports mid-term and long-term system reliability improvements by identifying infrastructure deficiencies and proposing strategic investments in new or upgraded substation, distribution and/or innovative technologies to strengthen grid resilience and operational performance.
• Supports regulatory deliverables such as Quarterly and Annual reporting, Integrated Resource Plan, System Stabilization Plan, Transmission and Distribution Plans and others, to ensure compliant and timely submissions.
• Manages and develops team members to build capability and improve collaboration, resulting in higher engagement and productivity.
• Develops and manages departmental budgets to allocate resources effectively and meet operational targets.
• Defines and monitors departmental KPIs to identify performance trends and drive continuous improvement.
• Leads, models and ensures consistent application of policies and regulatory standards across teams to support ethical operations and mitigate compliance risks.
• Leads and validates the planning and execution of restoration and emergency preparedness activities to strengthen operational resilience and response capacity.
• Assumes and oversees expanded duties aligned with organizational priorities and professional scope to drive departmental effectiveness and strategic alignment.

Additional Job Description:

Education

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering.
• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering is preferred.

Experience

• 5 years of experience in a similar functional role in Electrical Systems Engineering/Planning, with at least 3 years of directly supervising employees, leading teams, managing budgets, and overseeing projects in a supervisory capacity.
• Familiarity with power flow evaluation tools (Synergi, CYME, Milsoft, etc.), GIS (G-Tech, ESRI), and others used for distribution planning, load forecasting, reliability assessment, and scenario planning.
• Experience managing day-to-day operations, teams, defining work plans and achieving departmental objectives.

Competencies (Skills)

• Strong interpersonal, organizational, and management skills.
• Ability to prioritize multiple initiatives, resolve conflicting priorities, and meet critical deadlines.
• Excellent problem solving and decision‑making abilities.
• Ability to work under tight deadlines while managing multiple priorities.
• Strong English communication skills, oral and written.
• Strong ability to develop and deliver effective presentations and facilitate meetings as related to strategy, training, and collaborating with various stakeholders.
• Proficient skills in the use of computer applications (MS Office, Excel, Word, PowerPoint).
• Experience with programs such as Microsoft Project or other project planning software is an asset.

Licenses/Certifications

• Valid Driver’s License.
• Professional Engineer or Professional Licensee designation & be a member of the Puerto Rico Association of Engineers and Surveyors preferred.
• Project Management Professional (PMP or PgMP) license, training and experience preferred.

Travel Requirements

• 20%

Physical Demands:

• Stationary Position: Frequently
• Pushing/ Pulling/ Reaching: Seldom
• Kneel: Seldom
• Grab: Seldom
• Bend: Seldom
• Lift/Carry over: 0 - 15 pounds
• Vision: N/A
• Hearing: N/A

Working Conditions:

• Wet or humid: Seldom
• Working near or on moving mechanical parts: Seldom
• Working near or on heavy machinery: Seldom
• Working in high places: Seldom
• Exposed to fumes or airborne particles: Seldom
• Frequency of working in outdoor weather conditions: Seldom
• Work with electricity: Never
• Loud noise conditions: Seldom

LUMA Energy is an Equal Employment Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, protected veteran status, military status, disability, or any other characteristic protected by federal or local laws.