Transmission Department Manager (Phoenix)

Burns & McDonnell; Phoenix (AZ); On-site; USD 150,000 - 230,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Phoenix, AZ seeks a Transmission Department Manager to lead the SWR team, drive delivery excellence, and foster a culture of safety and innovation. You will recruit and develop engineers, coordinate across offices, and ensure projects meet quality, schedule, and budget targets.

The role requires a PE license, 7+ years in transmission/engineering leadership, and up to 25% travel. Join a team focused on growth, technical excellence, and strong client relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering or related field.
• 7+ years in consulting, engineering design, or project management in transmission & distribution.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Strong leadership, communication and problem-solving skills.
• Experience in a multi-office, matrixed environment.
• Willingness to travel up to 25%.

Responsibilities

• Lead the SWR department providing direction for technical and project delivery excellence.
• Recruit, mentor, and develop engineers and designers across offices.
• Collaborate with regional leadership to optimize resources and strategy.
• Monitor quality, schedule, budget, and safety compliance on projects.
• Drive continuous improvement and EPC/program management initiatives.
• Engage in planning, client relations, and growth opportunities.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

PE

Engineering

Education

Bachelor's degree in engineering

Tools

EcoSys

Microsoft Project

Power BI

Job description

Description

The Transmission Department Manager will provide leadership and direction for the Southwest Region (SWR) department within the Transmission & Distribution (T&D) Global Practice. This pivotal role will lead a dynamic team of engineering professionals, ensure technical and project delivery excellence, and drive strategic initiatives that support profitable, sustainable growth. The position will balance execution excellence and innovation with a strong emphasis on culture, diversity, safety, and talent development.

Key Responsibilities

People Leadership, Culture & Development

• Lead by example and foster a dynamic department focused on creating an atmosphere and environment for all.
• Actively embody and foster a culture based on MacCulture principles, quality, diversity and inclusion, team cohesion, camaraderie, ownership, innovation, and teamwork.
• Lead, mentor, and develop a high-performing team of engineers and designers through effective recruitment, coaching, performance management, and regular check-ins.
• Provide leadership across multiple offices within the SWR footprint, ensuring consistency, collaboration, equitable support, and in-person intra-departmental coordination.
• Serve as a mentor and coach to the team you directly manage, advocate for staff, and support individualized career development and growth plans.
• Identify training needs, assist in the development of training, and support execution of training and mentorship programs that strengthen technical excellence and EPC delivery skills.
• Organize, lead, and conduct the annual performance appraisal process, and work with Human Resources to prepare, communicate, and monitor performance improvement plans as needed.

Recruiting, Interviewing, Hiring, Onboarding & Retention

• Proactively recruit top college graduates and experienced engineers and designers through coordinated efforts with Human Resources, staff referrals, universities, and industry networks.
• Interview with intention, assess and hire prospective candidates while remaining diligent to uncover and combat unconscious bias throughout the interview process.
• Oversee onboarding for interns, new graduates, experienced hires, transfers, and converted contract employees transitioning into the business line.
• Support Human Resources on educational partnerships and internship programs, and establish measures that increase staff retention.

Project Execution & Technical Excellence

• Serve as a senior technical advisor on transmission projects across the region and support QA/QC processes as needed to advance department staff and maintain delivery excellence.
• Monitor project performance and take corrective actions to ensure targets for quality, schedule, and budget are met.
• Support compliance with the T&D Quality Management System and advocate for safety within the transmission business line, driving a culture focused on safety and compliance with company and site safety policies.
• Encourage an innovation culture that challenges the norm and utilizes tools, technology, and processes to drive continuous improvement, engineering outcomes, and project efficiency.
• Collaborate with Burns & McDonnell India and cross-regional leadership to optimize resource planning and technical direction.

Strategic Planning, Business Growth & Collaboration

• Set policies, procedures, and strategic goals for the department and contribute to the development and execution of the transmission business plan, including SWOT analysis and vision setting.
• Be proactive in thought leadership to enhance profitability and growth, and actively participate in conferences and related activities to promote the firm's capabilities.
• Partner with Marketing, Projects Director, Account Management, Project Managers, and other key leadership to pursue opportunities, support sales strategies, strengthen client relationships, and evaluate alignment with regional priorities.
• Proactively share information with the local team, regional partners, national transmission business line leadership, and other department managers to share best practices and continue process improvements.
• Collaborate on shared client work with other T&D departments and regional offices to reinforce One Burns & McDonnell.

Operational, Resource & Financial Oversight

• Establish and proactively communicate the vision, expectations, requirements, processes, and guidelines needed to meet department, global practice, and company objectives.
• Regularly review staff utilization to ensure employees have a clear development path, are supported appropriately, and are leveraged to their strengths and skill sets.
• Lead coordination of work in the department, including making assignments and reviewing performance to ensure efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff.
• Ensure profitable and sustainable growth of the transmission department through effective staffing, workload balance, chargeability oversight, overhead labor investment, and project performance monitoring.
• Lead continuous improvement efforts in delivery efficiency, processes, organizational consistency, and implementation of project management systems and specialized market offerings, including EPC and program management solutions.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in engineering, construction, architecture, or a related field from an accredited program.
• Minimum seven (7) years of related professional experience in consulting, engineering design, and/or project management within transmission & distribution or a related technical environment.
• Proven leadership and supervisory experience in a technical or engineering environment.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills, strong interpersonal skills, and analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Registration as a Professional Engineer (PE).
• Ability to influence, lead, and manage change thoughtfully and positively.
• Ability to clearly and effectively present complex information to employees, management, and clients.
• Ability to handle difficult situations with tact, poise, and discernment.
• Proven planning, collaboration, and facilitation skills.
• Demonstrated technical ability in engineering design and project delivery.

Preferred Qualifications

• Ten (10) or more years of industry experience.
• Demonstrated success in recruiting, developing, and retaining engineering talent.
• Experience in business development, including proposal writing and client engagement.
• Experience with project delivery and business tools such as EcoSys, Microsoft Project, Power BI, or similar platforms.
• Prior experience working in a multi-office, matrixed organizational structure.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Engineering

Primary Location US-AZ-Phoenix

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID: 261619

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D