Manager Utility Standards

Portland General Electric; Portland (OR); On-site; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Total rewards package

Storm assistance

Job summary

Portland General Electric seeks a Manager, Utility Standards to lead the Standards organization and guide design, construction, and equipment standards for transmission, distribution and substations. You will drive governance, asset lifecycle initiatives, and cross‑functional collaboration with Power Delivery Operations, Design Engineering, and Supply Chain.

The role focuses on safety, reliability, resiliency, and operational excellence while directing standardization efforts and strategic asset

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering required; ABET‑accredited program preferred.
• PE license strongly preferred; may be required based on role.
• Experience leading standards development for transmission, distribution, or substation systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead a team of standards engineers and technical specialists to develop and govern design, construction, and equipment standards.
• Manage budgets, expenditures, and resource planning for the Standards organization.
• Provide coaching, mentoring, and performance feedback; drive professional development and safety, reliability, and asset lifecycle initiatives.

Skills

Strategic leadership

Regulatory knowledge

Cross-functional collaboration

Risk management

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

PE license preferred

Job description

At PGE, our work involves dreaming about, planning for, and realizing a smarter, cleaner, more enduring Oregon neighborhood. Its core to our DNA and we haven’t stopped since we started in 1888. We energize lives, strengthen communities and drive advancements in energy that promote social, economic and environmental progress. We’re always on the lookout for people passionate about leading and being a part of teams that are advancing innovative clean energy solutions that are also affordable and accessible to all.

Manager, Utility Standards Job Summary

This leadership position manages the Utility Standards organization and is responsible for establishing, maintaining, and governing design, construction, and equipment standards along with work practices that support the safe, reliable, compliant, and cost-effective operation of Portland General Electric's transmission and distribution system. Reporting within the Standards, System Health & Maintenance organization, this role leads a multidisciplinary team of engineers and technical specialists responsible for transmission, distribution, and substation standards programs and is based at our Portland Operations Center, in Portland, Oregon. As the leader of this critical function, you will provide strategic direction and day-to-day leadership for standards development, technical governance, specification management, and implementation support across the utility. You will collaborate closely with Power Delivery Operations, Design Engineering, Project Management Office, Supply Chain, Wildfire Mitigation, and System Planning organizations to ensure standards align with operational needs, regulatory requirements, industry best practices, and long‑term asset strategies. This role is responsible for advancing standardization, partnering with other organization to develop asset performance and lifecycle management practices (Asset Plans), reducing operational risk, supporting emerging technologies and grid modernization initiatives, and ensuring the utility maintains a consistent and technically sound framework for design, construction, maintenance, and asset replacement decisions. The position also develops technical talent, drives continuous improvement, and serves as a key advocate for safety, reliability, resiliency, and operational excellence across the enterprise.

Key Areas of Accountability

• Utility standards strategy, governance, and stewardship
• Transmission, distribution, and substation standards management
• Equipment specifications and technical requirements
• Developing maintenance engineering standards and maintenance strategy support
• Materials standardization and supply chain technical alignment
• Regulatory and code compliance (NESC, OSHA, FERC, NERC, applicable state requirements)
• Developing asset lifecycle management and asset health initiatives
• Supporting risk reduction, reliability improvement, and resilience programs
• Technical review and approval processes
• Cross‑functional stakeholder engagement and alignment
• Resource planning, budgeting, and organizational development
• Employee coaching, mentoring, and professional development

Key Job Information

Manager, Engineering Standards 6761 Grade 9 Career Level: M2 Manager Manages professional associates and/or supervisors Is accountable for the performance and results of a team Adapts departmental plans and priorities to address resource and operational challenges Decisions are guided by policies, resources and business plan; receives moderate guidance from manager Provides subject matter guidance to associates, colleagues and/or customers

Key Responsibilities

• Standard Engineering Management Manages a team of standards engineering professionals responsible for planning and providing engineering expertise in a broad range of assignments related to transmission and distribution standards, including overhead/underground distribution design, construction practices and materials, transmission line design, construction practices and materials, transmission and distribution construction tools, smart grid design and construction standards and equipment specifications; provides technical management for the team, ensuring that objectives are met and all relevant standards/procedures are followed; ensures that operational problems are identified and resolved; ensures that operational procedures and working practices are current and fit for the purpose.
• Financial Management Monitors and manages expenditures, ensuring that all financial targets are met, and examines any areas where budgets/expenditures vary from plan; assists with the definition and operation of effective financial controls and decision making.
• Resourcing Oversees resourcing decisions and planning for team; partners with HR in the definition of jobs, recruitment, evaluation and selection processes.
• Professional Development Reviews organizational development needs and training strategies to determine required learning and development outcomes for the team; provides guidance in the creation of development plans; monitors ongoing progress and provides coaching and mentoring and provides feedback; completes annual performance management reviews.

Education / Experience / Certifications

Education Requires a bachelor’s degree in engineering. ABET‑accredited engineering program or program accredited by an equivalent agency preferred. Experience Prefer eight or more years in engineering. Certifications, Licenses and Training Professional Engineering (PE) license strongly preferred; may be required based upon role.

Competencies (Knowledge, Skills, Abilities)

Functional Competencies

• Expert knowledge of engineering and economic principles and concepts.
• Advanced knowledge of other engineering disciplines and advanced ability to interpret engineering deliverable content as assigned.
• Expert understanding and application of engineering processes and procedures; intermediate knowledge of other related departments and functions.
• Advanced industry knowledge and technology trends.
• Advanced knowledge of company QA/QC process and procedures.
• Intermediate knowledge of construction feasibility.
• Intermediate knowledge of procurement and contract administration.
• Advanced knowledge of process, procedures for project controls and estimates.
• Advanced knowledge of initiating electrical improvements and corrective actions for transmission and distribution, including network and smart grid technology.
• Advanced knowledge of physical electrical and control and protection transmission and distribution design.
• Advanced ability to review, evaluate and analyze technical information, policies and reports.

General Competencies

• Advanced analytical thinking skills.
• Advanced decision‑making skills.
• Advanced knowledge of the utility industry.
• Advanced organization and prioritization skills.
• Intermediate organization management skills
• Intermediate resource management skills.
• Advanced risk management skills.
• Advanced written and oral communication skills.

Physical and Cognitive Demands

Cognitive Level Substantial: Consistent use of logic or scientific thinking to define problems, collect information, establish facts and draw valid conclusions (for example, engineer, HR director, plant manager, etc.). Cognitive Ability to adhere to set response times, deadlines and time‑sensitive tasks Ability to follow accuracy standards Ability to follow through on decision‑making tasks Ability to interact effectively and collaboratively within a team environment Ability to communicate and problem solve when under stress Ability to respond and adapt to frequent change Ability to accept and demonstrate self‑awareness when provided constructive feedback Ability to discern feedback and acknowledge ownership of areas of improvement Ability to avoid future mistakes by applying reasonable skills to new but similar work situations or tasks Ability to successfully collaborate with peers, managers and others within the organization Demonstrates sound memory Ability to process new information to be applied consistently to work tasks Schedule/Attendance Ability to work long hours Ability to work a variable schedule Ability to report to work and perform work during periods of severe inclement weather Ability to consistently meet attendance standards for regular, reliable, predictable, full‑time attendance Ability to work shift schedule Ability to work on‑call schedule

Compensation

Actual total compensation, including a performance based incentive bonus, is commensurate with experience, skills, qualifications, education, training, and internal equity.

Benefits

PGE believes in rewarding dedicated performance. We provide a total rewards package that is designed to reward your contributions to the company, and, at the same time, support your well‑being and professional development, both now and into the future.

Assisting with storms or other Company emergencies is a part of all positions at Portland General Electric.

PGE is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to fostering a workplace where employees feel connected, valued, and empowered to thrive.

PGE will not discriminate against any employee or applicant for employment based on race, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, protected veteran status, or other characteristics protected by law.

PGE does not discriminate on the basis of disability.

We recognize individuals have a variety of abilities to offer and we believe there is much to value and celebrate by incorporating different abilities into the work we do.

Company Culture

At Portland General Electric, we’re innovators, builders, and achievers. We’re committed to powering our customers’ potential and making a difference for our community and the planet. Today, that commitment includes developing an intelligent and resilient electric grid, electrifying transportation and de‑carbonizing the energy sector. We’re proud to deliver an exceptional experience to help our customers thrive. Our mission is to make clean, reliable and affordable energy services available to all. We obsess over serving customers and are committed to growing employee career paths with purpose. Equity and inclusion are core business values; we celebrate our differences and are committed to developing teams that reflect the communities we serve.