Associate Director of Engineering, Protection & Control

The Substation Engineering Department is seeking an Associate Director to help lead our Protection & Controls group. This hybrid position is based in Columbus, OH; Jackson, MI; or Orlando, FL, and plays a critical leadership role in engineering operations, staff development, project performance, and client engagement.

The Associate Director will work closely with the Director of Engineering to provide hands-on leadership and strategic insight. This individual will guide technical teams, ensure successful project execution, promote process efficiency, and contribute to department-wide improvements and growth strategies.

Key Responsibilities:

Team & Operations Leadership

• Lead the Protection & Controls team, driving accountability for quality, efficiency, and performance
• Communicate department goals, monitor progress on goals and help develop action plans for achievement of goals.
• Communicate corporate updates effectively to team members
• Discuss and plan project pipelines with Managers, Project Managers, and Business Development for proper staff utilization
• Develop succession and realignment plans to support future growth and technical delegation

People Development & Engagement

• Mentor direct and indirect staff, supporting technical development and career advancement
• Lead staff retention strategies through meaningful engagement and strategic staffing decisions
• Provide input and coordinate discussions around training, hiring, and other staffing decisions such as promotions, raises, and performance.

Project Delivery & Collaboration

• Ensure coordination between project management and design staff, resolving issues related to scope, schedule, and budget
• Collaborate with PMs to manage risk, project write-offs, and deliver results on time and within cost expectations
• Apply a structured approach to balancing new client opportunities with existing workload capacity
• Support reporting requirements from Director of Engineering

Strategic Growth & Business Development

• Contribute to marketing and proposal development activities
• Participate in client engagement and relationship-building initiatives
• Business development and client visits
• Provide input on revenue growth strategies and help identify opportunities outside of core competencies with calculated risk management
• Continually evaluate internal processes to improve performance and team productivity\

Qualifications:

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required
• 12+ years of experience in Protection & Controls or Physical Electrical projects (consulting environment preferred)
• Minimum 5 years of experience leading engineering teams and managing technical projects
• Strong communication, leadership, and problem-solving skills
• Experience balancing technical depth with team mentorship and business strategy
• Ability to travel 25% of time or more as required