Operations Manager - Electrical Testing Group

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc.

Columbia (MD)

On-site

USD 160,000 - 190,000

Full time

14 days+

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Benefits offered by this job

Employee stock ownership

Medical & dental

Paid time off

Life insurance

401(k) / Profit Sharing

Worldwide Travel Assistance

Job summary

Wunderlich-Malec Engineering, Inc. seeks an entrepreneurial Operations Manager to lead a ground-up ETG regional location. You will own day-to-day execution, build and manage a growing technical team, drive P&L performance, and work with ETG leadership to scale the business from infancy to maturity.

Responsibilities include operational leadership, project delivery, and integration of all major functions. The role requires regional travel, strategic hiring, and establishing client relationships to

Qualifications

7+ years in power systems testing, commissioning, or utility operations.
Proven leadership experience managing people, budgets, and project delivery.
Strong understanding of protective relaying, automation, and SCADA systems.
Entrepreneurial mindset — thrives in building structure from scratch.
Excellent communication, organization, and conflict-resolution skills.
Experience with EOS or similar operating systems preferred.
Willingness to travel regionally and work in a dynamic field environment.

Responsibilities

Lead operational leadership and execution for the new ETG region.
Achieve or exceed P&L, revenue, and performance goals.
Oversee regional operations including scheduling, resource planning, QA, safety, and project delivery.
Implement and maintain ETG operating systems, testing standards, and documentation.
Manage field operations for protective relaying, SCADA, and IEC 61850 systems commissioning.
Align technical execution with business objectives to balance efficiency, quality, and profitability.
Build and nurture a strong leadership team under the EOS framework.
Recruit, train, and develop field engineers and technicians for the BU.
Establish vendor partnerships and client relationships within the region.
Drive growth through operational excellence and local market development.

Skills

Leadership

People management

Project management

Strategic planning

Communication

Tools

SCADA

EOS operating system

Protective relaying

Job description

Wunderlich-Malec’s Electrical Testing Group (ETG) is expanding — and we’re seeking an entrepreneurial Operations Manager to lead our newest regional location from the ground up. This position combines operational leadership with entrepreneurial drive — serving as both Integrator and Builder of a new ETG Business Unit. You’ll take ownership of day-to-day execution, lead a growing technical team, manage P&L objectives, and work side-by-side with ETG leadership to bring our proven business model to a new region. This is a rare opportunity to see a business evolve from Infancy → Growth → Maturity — with your leadership at the center of that transformation.

Key Responsibilities

Operational Leadership & Execution
Faithfully execute the ETG business plan — achieving or exceeding P&L, revenue, and performance goals
Lead all regional operations including scheduling, resource planning, quality assurance, safety, and project delivery
Implement and maintain ETG’s operating systems, testing standards, and documentation processes
Manage field operations for protective relaying, SCADA, and IEC 61850 systems commissioning
Ensure alignment between technical execution and business objectives — balancing efficiency, quality, and profitability
Integration & Team Alignment
Integrate all major functions of the local ETG operation — ensuring everyone is rowing in the same direction
Lead, manage, and hold team members accountable for results and commitments
Build and nurture a healthy, functional, and cohesive leadership team under the EOS framework
Resolve issues effectively: identify root causes, address conflict constructively, and drive solutions to completion
Business Unit Development
Build the BU from the ground up — recruiting, training, and developing a skilled team of field engineers and technicians
Establish vendor partnerships and client relationships within the region
Drive growth through operational excellence, local market development, and client satisfaction
Create and maintain structure and process as the BU transitions from startup to sustainable operation
Vision & Collaboration
Collaborate closely with the ETG Visionary and National Leadership Team to ensure clear direction and alignment
Translate vision into actionable, measurable goals
Maintain a strong, respectful partnership with ETG leadership — ensuring ideas are filtered, prioritized, and implemented effectively
Ensure that key messages and decisions are properly cascaded across the team so that everyone is informed, aligned, and focused
Systems, Structure, and Process
Operate within ETG’s EOS framework: own the scorecard, lead local L10s, and manage to defined KPIs
Ensure consistency in how core processes are followed, documented, and improved
Demonstrate strong project management discipline and operational consistency
Uphold ETG’s values of safety, integrity, quality, and innovation in every aspect of operations

What Success Looks Like

First 6–12 Months

Establish the foundation: hire key staff, build client relationships, deliver first projects successfully, and drive the BU toward break-even

12–24 Months

Transition into the Growth Phase: solid team structure, sustainable backlog, and strong client confidence
Local L10s running consistently, scorecard metrics trending upward, and P&L tracking toward profitability by month 12

Beyond 24 Months

The BU is Mature: operating as a profitable, independently functioning unit within the national ETG network, recognized for its technical quality and reliability

Qualifications

7+ years in power systems testing, commissioning, or utility operations
Proven leadership experience managing people, budgets, and project delivery
Strong understanding of protective relaying, automation, and SCADA systems
Entrepreneurial mindset — thrives in building structure from scratch
Excellent communication, organization, and conflict-resolution skills
Experience with EOS or similar operating systems preferred
Willingness to travel regionally and work in a dynamic field environment

Why This Role is Exciting

You’ll lead one of the most exciting phases of ETG’s national expansion — bringing our brand of technical excellence and culture of accountability to a new region. You’ll have the chance to build a business with your own imprint while being part of a nationwide team of leaders doing the same.

This role offers the energy of a startup with the stability and support of a 40-year engineering powerhouse — and the satisfaction of watching a blank slate become a thriving, mature operation under your leadership.

Job Descriptions are not exhaustive lists of all skills, responsibilities, or efforts associated with a job. They reflect principal job elements essential for performing the job and evaluating performance.

Wunderlich-Malec is proud to offer a comprehensive employee-owner benefit package. Full-time employees may be eligible for the following benefits:

Medical