Electrical Engineering Department Manager - Hammond, IN

Electrical Engineering (Distribution) Department Manager - Hammond, IN

Working with our business partners to create, improve and sustain industry and infrastructure.  Orbital Engineering has been driven by this core purpose for more than 50 years - energizing Orbital team members and helping our clients solve challenging and complex problems with innovative engineering, inspection, and construction solutions.  Orbital team members are guided by the fundamental beliefs of building trusted relationships, personal accountability, innovation, and excellence in everything we do.  Orbital is looking for others to join our team to continue activating our purpose and embrace our values.

Orbital Engineering’s Utility Services Department partners with Utility and Communication Companies in Engineering and Construction operations for Joint Use Pole Attachment Programs (JU) and Distribution Engineering Design Projects.

Orbital is currently seeking a Utility Services Electrical Engineering Department Manager who lives within reasonable commuting distance of Hammond, IN for a HYBRID or REMOTE WORK position to support our Hammond, IN office. The Department Manager will report to the Midwest Regional Manager and be responsible for overall internal development and management including recruiting, strategic business planning, financial management, client growth, design innovation strategies, training, mentoring, quality, and safety.

The ideal candidate will be a high performing, critical 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 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.


• Create training opportunities for department. Ensure the opportunities are in line with the development of team/individual.


• 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 20 percent.  Travel percentage may also be impacted by physical reporting location.

Minimum Requirements

• Must reside within a reasonable commuting distance to Hammond, IN


• BS in an Engineering Discipline (EE preferred) is required and 10+ 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


• Previous experience leading engineering personnel 7+ years


• Experience in managing multiple teams


• 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


• Proficient knowledge of the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) and comprehension of client construction standards.


• 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


• Ability to work with limited supervision and provide leadership to other team members;


• Ability to work effectively in teams


• Must have dependable transportation and a valid driver’s license with insurance


• Ability to handle large volumes of work and multi-task in a fast-paced environment


• 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

• Professional Engineering (PE) License and/or Project Management Professional (PMP)


• Working knowledge of electrical distribution assets and/or communication equipment construction


• Knowledge or experience in overhead and underground utility distribution


• Experience within the Joint-Use industry with understanding of the Federal Communication Commission (FCC) Guidelines


• Demonstrated knowledge in financial analysis and departmental budget management experience, including financial reporting and department auditing


• Experience of knowledge in pole loading (Spida Calc, O-Calc, Pole Foreman, or Katapult) or other construction modeling software (AutoCAD) is beneficial


• Knowledge of industry utility or joint-use software (Katapult, SPANS, NJUNS, IkeGPS) for make-ready engineering and construction is beneficial

Orbital Engineering, Inc. has provided worldwide professional engineering and consulting services since 1969. Our commitment to quality, responsiveness, and attention to detail has earned us the reputation as a leading provider of engineering and design services.

A commitment to excellence and hard work will be rewarded with a competitive salary, career advancement opportunities, and an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, 401(k), and supplemental insurance.

Orbital Engineering, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO/AA/M-F-V-D.  Orbital Engineering, Inc. seeks diversity among its employees. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

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