Senior Substation Project Engineer, Department Manager

WSP USA is currently initiating a search for a Substation Department Manager for their Richmond, VA office. The DM is responsible for managing the day-to-day activities of the department, maintaining high-quality standards, and supporting client relationships while overseeing a team of engineers and administrative staff.

Responsibilities:

• Act as trusted advisor to the VPRM to support the Southeast Region, communicating regularly via: Weekly touchpoints, Bi-weekly region teleconferences, Monthly reporting, Bi-annual region meetings (travel may be required), Quarterly business plan audits, Bi-annual Department Manager meetings (travel may be required)
• Manage all financial, technical, and staffing aspects of performance for this Substation Department, including, but not limited to: Timecard approvals, Monthly financial reporting, Weekly and monthly resource planning, Annual business plans, Bi-annual appraisals, Salary/promotion/bonus recommendations, Shareholder writeups, Department participation in the Knowledge Management Program (KMP), Proposals, Project design book audits, Monthly lunch & learns, Mentorship, QA/QC
• Apply high-level substation engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation
• Develop construction plans, specifications, and cost estimates; preparing construction safety and phasing plans, and updating infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients
• Develop and incorporate advanced technologies, monitoring devices, building materials, modeling techniques, design requirements
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, architects, planners, and scientific professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, concepts, and recommendations to prevent, control, restore, or address structural, environmental, design, and/or construction issues or opportunities
• Proactively collaborate with other engineers, professionals, and leaders on proposal and business development opportunities
• Remain current in latest substation engineering techniques and practices
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering
• 12+ years of relevant post education experience in electrical engineering and infrastructure design for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale
• Engineer license required (multi-state preferred)
• Advanced proficiency with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, standard of care, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues
• Advanced proficiency with infrastructure design
• Strong working knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements, and the business impact upon the organization
• Advanced proficiency with making technical computations and calculations involving the application of engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations
• Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to mid-level to senior level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with employees at all levels of the organization
• Tactical lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and prioritization of responsibilities in a pressure work environment
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, clients, regulators, and company-wide staff, including those with whom no formal hierarchical relationship exits
• Advanced proficiency with office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., CADD, Aspen, CAPE, ETAP, WIN IGS, Inventor, AutoCADD electrical), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP's health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies
• Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet business needs
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements
• Master's Degree in Engineering
• Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment is highly desirable