Manager: Physical Design Engineer

ICF Olson; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 175,000 - 297,000; Full time

Job summary

ICF is seeking a Department Manager, Substation Physical Engineering to lead a multidisciplinary team delivering substation engineering services nationwide. You will oversee staff growth, project delivery, and financial performance, while guiding technical standards and client satisfaction.

You will shape engineering practices, mentor engineers, and drive resource planning, risk management, and strategic growth across planning, design, analysis, modernization, and construction support services.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or related engineering discipline.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• 12+ years of experience in substation engineering, design, analysis, or related power delivery services.
• 12+ years of experience working with electric utilities, EPC firms, or engineering consulting organizations.
• Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Experience managing project portfolios, resource planning, and financial performance.
• Strong knowledge of substation physical design principles, including station layout, grounding, lightning protection, AC station service, conduit systems, equipment selection, and constructability considerations.
• Experience leading engineering projects ranging from distribution substations through transmission voltage levels up to 765kV.
• Ability to travel for client presentations, field visits, industry conferences, and project reviews.

Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of substation physical engineers, designers, and technical specialists.
• Establish performance expectations, support career development, and conduct reviews.
• Manage staffing, hiring, workload forecasting, and resource allocation for projects.
• Oversee delivery of substation engineering projects on schedule, within budget, and to quality standards.
• Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for complex substations from distribution to 765kV.

Skills

Leadership

Staff development

Client management

Financial performance

Engineering leadership

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Autodesk Inventor

Vault

Job description

Ready to make a difference? We are seeking a Department Manager, Substation Physical Engineering to lead and grow our substation engineering practice. In this leadership role, you will be responsible for the operational management, technical oversight, staff development, financial performance, and strategic growth of a department delivering substation physical engineering services to utility clients nationwide. You will provide leadership to a multidisciplinary team of substation physical engineers, designers, and technical specialists while ensuring the successful delivery of high-quality engineering solutions. The ideal candidate combines strong technical expertise in substation engineering with proven people leadership, business acumen, and client relationship management skills. Our team is passionate about re‑engineering how electric utilities solve their toughest challenges. We combine innovation, technical rigor, and a client‑first mindset to deliver exceptional engineering solutions across planning, design, analysis, modernization, and construction support services.

What You Will Be Doing

Lead, mentor, and develop a team of substation physical engineers, designers, and technical specialists, establishing performance expectations, supporting career development, conducting performance reviews, and fostering a culture of accountability, collaboration, and continuous improvement. Manage department staffing, recruiting, hiring, workload forecasting, and resource allocation to ensure successful project execution and achievement of business objectives. Oversee the delivery of substation engineering projects, ensuring work is completed safely, on schedule, within budget, and in accordance with company quality standards and client expectations. Provide technical leadership and strategic direction for complex substation projects ranging from distribution through EHV transmission voltage levels, serving as a senior technical resource for staff and clients while promoting engineering best practices and innovation. Establish, maintain, and improve engineering standards, QA/QC processes, design procedures, and operational workflows to drive technical excellence, consistency, and efficiency across the department. Own department operational performance, including utilization, backlog management, staffing forecasts, revenue targets, profitability, and overall financial performance. Partner with project managers and business leaders to monitor project performance, manage risks, resolve resource constraints, and proactively address schedule, budget, and quality concerns. Develop and maintain strong relationships with utility clients, contractors, equipment vendors, and industry partners while supporting project pursuits, proposal development, scope definition, contract negotiations, and client satisfaction initiatives. Identify and execute opportunities for business growth, service expansion, and market development while supporting strategic planning and contributing to the long‑term success of the substation engineering practice. Champion company safety, quality, compliance, and professional development programs while ensuring adherence to applicable industry standards, client requirements, and regulatory obligations. Provide executive oversight of engineering activities including substation physical design, grounding, lightning protection, AC station service, equipment selection, major equipment specifications, constructability reviews, and engineering studies. Support the development and adoption of advanced engineering technologies, digital design workflows, 3D modeling, and continuous improvement initiatives to enhance project quality and delivery efficiency.

What You Need to Have (Minimum Qualifications)

B.S. in Electrical Engineering, Power Engineering, or related engineering discipline. Professional Engineer (PE) license. 12+ years of experience in substation engineering, design, analysis, or related power delivery services. 12+ years of experience working with electric utilities, EPC firms, or engineering consulting organizations. Experience managing multidisciplinary engineering teams. Demonstrated experience managing project portfolios, resource planning, and financial performance. Strong knowledge of substation physical design principles, including station layout, grounding, lightning protection, AC station service, conduit systems, equipment selection, and constructability considerations. Experience leading engineering projects ranging from distribution substations through transmission voltage levels up to 765kV. Ability to travel for client presentations, field visits, industry conferences, and project reviews.

What We’d Like You to Have (Preferred Qualifications)

Proven success recruiting, developing, and retaining engineering talent. Experience with business development, client relationship management, and proposal development. Experience establishing engineering standards, QA/QC programs, and continuous improvement initiatives. Strong understanding of consulting business operations, including utilization management, revenue forecasting, backlog management, and departmental financial performance. Experience coordinating multidisciplinary engineering efforts involving protection & controls, civil, structural, relay, communications, permitting, environmental, procurement, and construction stakeholders. Working knowledge of IEEE, NESC, NEC, ANSI, NERC, and utility‑specific design standards. Proficiency with AutoCAD, MicroStation, Autodesk Inventor, Vault, or other substation design platforms. Experience with substation grounding studies and software tools such as CDEGS. Experience with illumination analysis software such as AGi32. Experience supporting construction, commissioning, field engineering, and outage planning activities. Experience developing and writing client proposals, including scope development, staffing plans, schedules, fee estimates, risk assessments, and contract negotiations. Experience leading large‑scale substation expansion, greenfield, modernization, and grid resiliency programs for utility clients.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process.

Candidate AI Usage Policy At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in-person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process. However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance at [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range - There are multiple factors that are considered in determining final pay for a position, including, but not limited to, relevant work experience, skills, certifications and competencies that align to the specified role, geographic location, education and certifications as well as contract provisions regarding labor categories that are specific to the position. The pay range for this position based on full-time employment is: $174,701.00 - $296,992.00

Remote Office (US99)

Working at ICF ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting‑edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future. We can only solve the world's toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read our EEO policy. We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please email [e-mail] and we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations. Read more about workplace discrimination rights or our benefit offerings which are included in the Transparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

About ICF ICF is a global consulting and technology services company with approximately 9,000 employees, but we are not your typical consultants. At ICF, business analysts and policy specialists work together with digital strategists, data scientists and creatives. We combine unmatched industry expertise with cutting‑edge engagement capabilities to help organizations solve their most complex challenges. Since 1969, public and private sector clients have worked with ICF to navigate change and shape the future.