Distribution Design Senior Manager - Greater Chicago / Hammond, IN Area

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Distribution Design Senior Manager - Greater Chicago / Hammond, IN Area Location: Remote (US based) with preference given for candidates who reside in the Greater Hammond, IN / Chicago, IL area FLSA Classification Exempt Job Description: Orbital Engineering, Inc. is currently seeking a Senior Manager of Distribution Design Services to lead the Distribution Design team supporting our Midwest utility clients. Candidates who reside within the greater Hammond, IN or Chicago, IL areas are strongly preferred.

Orbital Engineering’s Utility Services team partners with Utility and Communication Companies in Engineering and Construction operations for Joint Use Pole Attachment Programs (JU), Distribution Engineering Design Projects, and Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) programs, Transmission Design Projects, Substation Design Projects, and Grid Modernization Programs.

This position will report to the Director of Distribution and Joint Use Services and oversee the operational control of multiple Electrical Distribution Design Programs servicing our utility clients. The position requires tracking of deliverables, developing a management strategy, and performance reporting and monitoring of contract milestones. Primary duties will include the oversight of the distribution design process, preparation of client proposals, issuing formal communication notices, preparing billing documents, resolving contract compliance issues, remaining apprised of on-going policy changes, and making presentations to senior leadership.

In addition, the position will provide work coordination, evaluate priorities, provide mentorship and general program direction to our Departmental leadership team who supervise employees assigned to Orbital’s distribution design program. This team is responsible for managing client agreements and analyzing network reliability improvements on client’s electric distribution systems. Additionally, this team is responsible for supporting overhead and underground distribution design in coordination utility clients. Staff also support GIS data analytics, creation of notifications, work orders, invoices, and financial reports utilizing enterprise resource planning software.

The ideal candidate will be a high performing, critically thinking, analytical, and experienced self-starter with excellent leadership skills, written and oral communication skills, customer service skills, and the ability to establish and maintain cooperative and effective working relationships with others. Orbital culture values safety, communication, accountability, professionalism, integrity, and respect.

Responsibilities include but are not limited to: 

• Manages operations of multiple electric distribution engineering and design teams to validate delivery of projects within assigned region are executed in accordance with project schedule and budget
• Directs and/or provides leadership to team for engineering, design, and construction functions within assigned region or projects
• Utilizes understanding of National Electric Safety Code (NESC) Standards, Client Standards, State or Local Municipal Guidelines, and/or other applicable guidelines and to manage Utility Services Department teams through engineering and construction commitments
• Manages regional productivity and financial budget, regularly reports variances to internal management team to verify alignment with business plan
• Verifies department teams are uniformed in their approach to safety, engineering design, technology platform utilization, project execution, and invoicing practices.
• Supports leadership team with client onboarding, contract negotiations, and relationship development to grow Orbital Utility Services business
• Responsible for development of customer proposals, including detailed technical scope, schedule, budget, and resource management.
• Regularly interfaces directly with clients or contractors to verify department projects are executed in alignment with scope, justifying and submitting change orders when needed.
• Communicates potential strategic initiatives or departmental risks to internal management team
• Provides personnel orientation/training, mentorship, coaching, and disciplinary action
• Upholds Orbital Company Standards and completes quality assurance practices on regional team deliverables to verify highest quality product possible
• Conducts performance evaluations for department team members

• Work is primarily office based but fieldwork may be needed throughout the engineering design, construction, and quality assurance process

• Advocating for safety within the department.

• Provide technical oversight, direction, and support for project teams.
• Function as client point of contact and liaison on project-related issues.
• Collaborate with other design managers on broad client issues including schedule adherence and team quality control
• Oversee and manage existing capital, reliability, and customer project work for clients: Customer project work includes reconductors, voltage conversions, circuit rebuilds, DOT relocations, and large customer development feeds (OH & UG).
• Support business development, proposal creation, and growth opportunities, including client engagement activities
• Facilitate client & team collaboration and communication; managing resource loading based on clients demands.
• Track scope, schedule, and budget for projects
• Oversee QA/QC for design team
• Monitor team performance metrics
• Track and report financial metrics
• Strategize and implement organizational structures to enable future growth

• Coordinating work for the distribution department including making assignments and reviewing performance to ensure the efficient, cost-effective utilization of staff
• Supporting overall regional office development and resource coordination between Midwest regional office

• Interpreting organizational policies, procedures, and goals to staff
• Training, developing, mentoring, and career-development of the staff
• Recruiting top talent as well as the engagement and retention of staff
• Where needed, serve as project manager or project lead/engineer for key clients, new clients, or where new lines of business are being developed.
• Organizing, leading, and conducting the annual performance appraisal process for department staff.
• Serve as the technical advisor, providing senior-level input and evaluation on Engineering projects.
• Advocate for quality and ensure that the corporate and quality initiatives are implemented, including coordinating with the appropriate teams to assign quality control reviewers.
• Advancing and developing department tools and workflows to increase efficiency of designs, specification development, and project execution.
• Proactively work through corrective actions where deficiencies are identified.
• All other duties as assigned.
• Must be willing to travel overnight or for extended periods of time, based on project assignments, estimated at up to 20 percent. Travel percentage may also be impacted by physical reporting location.

Other Duties Please note that this job posting does not list all duties and responsibilities that are required of this job. Duties and responsibilities may change at any time with or without notice . Work Environment  This role will be a remote (work from home) position, with visits to client sites and Orbital's Hammond, IN office as required. Qualifications:

Minimum Requirements

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Engineering or equivalent technical discipline with 7+ years of prior relevant experience either working directly with an electric utility or an electric utility consulting company, performing electric distribution design engineering
• Demonstrated supervisory skills and proven project management experience.
• Experience in managing multiple teams throughout a geographic region.
• Demonstrated ability to grow a business unit within a region or territory.
• Working knowledge of overhead and underground electrical distribution assets and/or communication equipment construction.
• Proficient knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and comprehension of client construction standards.
• Demonstrated knowledge in financial analysis and departmental budget management experience, including financial reporting and department auditing.

• Experience with pole loading (Spida Calc, O-Calc, Pole Foreman, or Katapult) or other construction modeling software (AutoCAD).
• Knowledge of industry utility or joint-use software (Katapult, SPANS, NJUNS, IkeGPS) for make-ready engineering and construction is beneficial

• Ability to negotiate and develop relationships with current and new clients or contracting parties.
• Demonstrated ability to develop and implement process improvements with measurable results in moving a departmental initiative forward.
• Successful candidate must have exceptional analytical and decision-making skills, the ability to communicate with all level of the organization.
• Skills required for this role include but are not limited to being detail-oriented, strong organization skills and excellent written as well as verbal communication skills.
• Ability to adapt to changing priorities while maintaining an effective team.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office software applications.
• Experience with analyzing data and preparing departmental financial reporting.
• Ability to read and understand engineering drawing/schematics.

• Must have dependable transportation and a valid driver’s license with insurance.
• Ability to successfully work with remotely located team members.
• This position requires the ability to pass a post-offer drug (including marijuana) and alcohol test in compliance with Federal regulations and is also subject to random testing as a condition of continued employment.

  Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering or Business Administration.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License.
• Project Management Professional (PMP) Certification.

  Location Note: This is a remote position. Compensation is based on market data and internal equity and may vary depending on the candidate’s location. Salary Range: $145,000 - $185,000 annually (based on experience, qualifications, and location) Bonus/Commission: Eligible for performance-based bonuses Benefits: A commitment to excellence and hard work will be rewarded with a competitive salary, career advancement opportunities, and a comprehensive benefits package designed to support your health, financial security, and work-life balance. Our benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; a 401(k)-retirement savings plan; and supplemental insurance options. We also provide company-paid life and AD&D insurance, company-paid short-term disability coverage, and a generous paid time off program to ensure you have the support and flexibility you need both professionally and personally. About Orbital: Powered by People, Driven by SolutionsSince 1969, Orbital has been specializing in project development, project execution and asset management for the heavy industrial sectors and utilities. Our regional offices, hands-on mentality, and world-wide integrated teams provide an ability to leverage subject matter experts and industry best-practices wherever a project may lie geographically. Our focus steadfastly remains on finding and delivering the best solution, regardless of where that team sits across our organization. At Orbital, our power is our people. Equal Opportunity Statement: We are an equal opportunity employer and value diversity at our company. We do not discriminate on the basis of race, religion, color, national origin, gender, sexual orientation, age, marital status, veteran status, or disability status.

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