Sr. Manager/Director of Engineering (TLine)

Grid United; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 150,000 - 210,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive base salary

Bonus incentive plan

Long-term incentive plan

Health benefits

401(k)

Job summary

Grid United is seeking a Senior Manager / Director of Engineering (Transmission Line) to lead major HVDC transmission projects in the United States.

You will manage design activities, budgeting, scheduling, and stakeholder engagement, while guiding external consultants and internal teams through development to final design stages. The role offers optional remote work or in-office Houston placement with up to 25% travel.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited engineering degree required (civil/electrical/mechanical/environmental).
• 8+ years designing or managing HV transmission lines; 12+ years preferred.
• Strong understanding of design and construction processes for transmission projects.
• Proven ability to lead external teams and manage projects from development through design.

Responsibilities

• Lead design activities for major transmission line projects with internal and external teams.
• Plan project design activities including scope, budget, and schedule.
• Review detailed design submittals for compliance with standards and requirements.
• Manage transmission structure engineering, geotechnical investigations, and encroachments.
• Provide cross-discipline engineering support for development, permitting, and landowner coordination.
• Conduct site visits to assess route suitability and constructability.
• Engage stakeholders to convey technical components and project details.
• Stay current with HVDC advances and share knowledge across the team.
• Prepare and update project CAPEX estimates using internal tools.
• Support due diligence and risk analyses for early-stage prospects and acquisitions.
• Capture lessons learned for continuous improvement and growth.
• Develop and manage RFPs, MSAs, and SOs related to engineering scopes.

Skills

Team leadership

Independent work

Communication

Organizational skills

Multi-tasking

Work ethic

Stakeholder management

Interpersonal skills

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

Tools

Excel

PowerPoint

PLS-CADD

ArcGIS Online

Job description

SENIOR MANAGER / DIRECTOR OF ENGINEERING (TRANSMISSION LINE)

Grid United is a mission-driven company aiming to solve the largest barrier to a more reliable grid by developing new long-haul transmission lines in the United States. Many of the projects include transformational, grid-connecting lines that use high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology. Grid United has created a purpose-built team of motivated and entrepreneurial talent and is looking to expand its transmission line engineering team. This is an exciting opportunity to help Grid United manage project design from early-stage development through construction; this role will work on development projects, with exposure to early and late-stage development through detailed design. This role would report to the Vice President of Engineering. The position is optionally remote or located in-office in Houston, TX. The expected travel for this position is up to 25%.

Key Responsibilities & Outcomes

• Lead design activities for major transmission line projects by collaborating with internal resources, managing external engineering consultants, and interfacing with various project stakeholders.
• Lead planning of project design activities, including engineering scope, budget, and schedule.
• Review detailed design submittals and studies to ensure robust technical standards, compliance with permitting and land requirements, customer/financing requirements, and needs of execution team, proposing optimization opportunities when possible.
• Manage transmission structure engineering and testing, geotechnical investigations, and designs for encroachments and utility crossing agreements.
• Provide engineering support to other disciplines as needed for project development, permit support, landowner coordination and risk mitigation.
• Participate in field visits to assess site/route suitability and constructability.
• Engage with landowners, community members, and other stakeholders to convey technical components of projects.
• Stay informed about technical capabilities and advances in HVDC and transmission industry, sharing knowledge throughout the engineering team and organization.
• Utilize internal tools and market outreach to prepare and update project CAPEX estimates.
• Provide technical due diligence support such as fatal flaw analyses for early-stage development prospects and potential acquisition opportunities.
• Propose and implement lessons learned to support continuous improvement throughout the organization.
• Develop and manage Requests for Proposals (RFPs), including contract management and the drafting and administration of Master Service Agreements (MSAs) and Service Orders (SOs) related to engineering scopes of work.

Desired Experience And Skills

• Bachelor's degree in engineering (civil, electrical, mechanical, or environmental) from an ABET-accredited program.
• Minimum 8 years' experience designing or managing the design of high-voltage transmission lines. 12+ years' experience preferred.
• Knowledge of overall design and construction process for transmission projects.
• Strong ambition to learn the cutting edge of the power industry and transmission development.
• A passion for collaborative, team-based work with a hands-on entrepreneurial approach to project development.
• Ability to work independently under minimal supervision and lead external teams.
• Strong interpersonal skills and ability to build relationships and work professionals from different disciplines.
• Exceptional organizational skills, including the ability to multi-task efficiently with constant regard for accuracy and quality.
• Ability to prioritize and manage multiple tasks and projects to meet deadlines.
• Hard work ethic, persistence, and an ability to quickly grasp and understand new concepts.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, including ability to interface with landowners and other project stakeholders to convey technical information.
• Proficiency with the following software:
• Microsoft Office suite products (Excel, PowerPoint) - required
• PLS-CADD – required
• ArcGIS Online - preferred
• Adaptability and flexibility to manage deadline pressure, ambiguity and uncertainty, and project changes.
• Proactive and open to embracing new challenges.
• Positive, professional, and energetic team-oriented attitude.

What The Right Candidate Will Love About This Opportunity

• An organization dedicated to solving the ever-changing Rubik's cube of high voltage transmission development in a fast paced, dynamic and innovative culture
• Working with a core group of dedicated and thoughtful colleagues.
• Working on a day-to-day basis with highly experienced and proven industry leaders
• Being empowered to play a leading role in delivering a large-scale project that will materially change the energy future of America

Grid United is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. All qualified applicants will be considered for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, age, sex, gender identity or expression, marital status, sexual orientation, disability, military/veteran status, or any basis prohibited by applicable law.

Grid United offers a comprehensive benefits package, which includes a competitive base salary and bonus incentive plan, long term incentive plan, health benefits, 401(k), and more.