Substation Engineer

Manager, Substation Engineering

The Manager, Substation Engineering will lead the design and technical execution of QTS utility infrastructure. This role will lead a technical team supporting the delivery of utility capacity at multiple data center campuses across multiple regions or countries. This role will interface and collaborate with many critical stakeholders, including but not limited to: energy leaders responsible for utility contracts and negotiations; utility engagement developing relationships with utilities; pre-development leads evaluating new properties; operations leaders managing load growth projections; and development team project leaders planning and building new data centers and substations.

Essential duties and responsibilities - other duties may be assigned.

• Lead a portion of the team driving design and technical execution of substation and utility projects.
• Lead and develop team of substation engineers, with responsibilities including performance management, technical development, career development, project assignments, and various administrative duties.
• Provide technical guidance, oversight, and decisions to support development, design, and installation of high voltage substations.
• Establish and drive strategies to improve project execution through standards, tools, and processes.
• Oversee the construction, installation, and commissioning of substation equipment and systems.
• Identify project execution risks and develop associated mitigation plans.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to substation operations.
• Collaborate with stakeholders across the organization to provide technical support and solutions for utility and power related challenges.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Provide technical support and training to junior engineers and field personnel.

Direct reports:

• 3-5 individual contributors
• Demonstrate ability to coach and teach younger staff

Influence:

• Drives business and technology direction for given region.
• Aligns teams toward simple, coherent designs.
• Actively develops others.
• Performs mentoring of people outside the organization
• Solves complex architecture and partner problems.
• Solutions are extensible.
• Works to simplify, optimize, remove bottlenecks, and lower costs.

Autonomy:

• Drives decisions to the lowest level possible, enabling team members to define project scopes while aligning personnel across a given region/country.

Tasks:

• Leader for a portion of the team driving transmission & substation projects across North America.
• Lead and expand the team of Utility Program Managers, Project Managers, and Coordinators.
• Manage and expand relationships with key substation EPC partners.
• Manage and expand relationships with key high- & medium-voltage equipment suppliers.
• Oversee HV & MV equipment procurement alongside QTS procurement leads.
• Lead technical direction of high-voltage projects, including conceptual design, detailed design, and O&M requirements.
• Track and report on technical risk and associated mitigation plans.
• Drive and own utility portfolio-level budget and financial reporting to QTS leadership.
• Develop project and equipment forecasts to aid procurement & vendor partners.
• Collaborate with Pre-Development, Utility Engagement, Energy, Development, Legal, and Sales to deliver power capacity in line with customer demands.

Basic qualifications:

• 12 or more years of utility and energy projects, along with construction management.
• 2 or more years of people leader experience.
• Experience delivering utility and/or client HV substations.
• Demonstrated experience working directly with executives and collaborating effectively across all levels of the organization.
• Able to travel up to 40% of the time or as needed to support relationship-building and delivery.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Civil or Structural Engineering or Engineering Technology.

Preferred qualifications:

• 15 or more years of delivering utility & construction projects.
• 4 or more years of people leader experience.
• Experience leading large-scale power projects (500+ MW).
• Established relationships with leading utility construction & EPC partner.
• Demonstrated ability to negotiate construction agreements >$25 million in value.
• Experience managing an extensive portfolio of work.

Knowledge, skills, and abilities:

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong negotiating skills. Ability to build relationships and influence cross-discipline teams.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations at a high-growth company.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and deliver high-quality work in tight timeframes.

Total rewards:

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits. This role is bonus-eligible and may qualify for equity.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim.