Vice President of Engineering

Summit Utilities; Little Rock (AR); On-site; USD 180,000 - 260,000; Full time

Job summary

Summit Utilities Inc. is seeking a Vice President of Engineering to lead the company’s engineering programs, ensuring safety, reliability, and efficiency across design, construction, and operation of natural gas utility systems.

You will set engineering standards, oversee QA/QC, manage regulatory alignment, and guide long-term asset planning across multiple service territories, including collaboration with executive leadership.

Responsibilities

• Oversees design, construction, inspection and repair of gas utility distribution systems to meet safety and reliability standards.
• Collaborates with the executive team to shape annual strategic goals emphasizing innovation, safety, and operational excellence.
• Mentors staff and promotes accountability, continuous improvement, and adherence to safety standards.
• Sets and enforces engineering standards, reviews technical scopes, specifications, and construction methodologies for regulatory compliance and cost efficiency.
• Evaluates cost impacts and rate implications for engineering projects related to system construction and maintenance.
• Represents Summit Utilities in addressing engineering concerns with the public, regulators, and stakeholders to ensure timely regulatory alignment.
• Manages long-term asset planning and performs hydraulic modeling analyses to support growth and reliability.

Job description

• Summit Utilities


• Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as

one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 Americas Best Small Employers.

Summit is a growing natural gas utility company providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence, diversity and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Vice President of Engineering.

The preferred location is Little Rock, AR, however, we will consider applicants who reside in AR or ME.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President and Chief Engineer for Summit Utilities, Inc. (SUI) leads the strategic planning, management, and execution of the companys engineering programs. This executive role is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of all engineering activities across SUI, focusing on the design, construction, and operation of natural gas utility systems. Key accountabilities include oversight of the development and enforcement of engineering standards, system documentation, company codes and standards, and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) across all service territories, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and company policies.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Engineering Oversight

• Oversees and approves engineering initiatives that ensure the design, construction, inspection, and repair of gas utility distribution systems adhere to the highest safety and reliability standards.


• Collaborates closely with the Summit executive team to shape and achieve annual strategic goals, championing innovation, safety, and operational excellence across the organization.


• Acts as a thought leader and mentor within the company, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and adherence to safety standards.


• Sets and enforces company engineering standards, providing expert level input to the technical review process, project scopes, material/equipment specifications, and construction methodologies to ensure regulatory compliance and cost efficiency.


• Conducts comprehensive evaluations on cost impacts and rate implications for all engineering projects related to system construction and maintenance.


• Represents SUI in addressing engineering-related concerns from the public, governmental agencies, and industry stakeholders, ensuring timely resolution and regulatory alignment.


• Manages long-term asset planning to support growth and system reliability through collaboration with Business Development and Operations, and performs hydraulic modeling analyses.

Capital Budget Management

Works closely with company financial leadership to prepare and manage short- and long-term capital investment plans relating to growth, system improvements, public accommodations and other infrastructure and investment n

Equal Employment Opportunity

Equal employment opportunity, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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