Director of Distribution Engineering

Leidos•Atlanta, GA

3d•Onsite

About The Position

Leidos is seeking an accomplished Director of Distribution Engineering in Atlanta, GA to lead one of our premier electric utility engineering organizations supporting Southern Company. This leader will be responsible for driving operational excellence, developing high-performing teams, strengthening client partnerships, growing the business, and delivering exceptional engineering services across multiple distribution programs. This position is ideal for a proven utility leader who understands the unique culture, standards, and expectations of Southern Company and has a passion for developing people while delivering outstanding results for our customers. As the Director of Distribution Engineering, you will provide strategic and operational leadership for a multi-disciplinary engineering organization responsible for electric distribution design and project execution. You will oversee engineering operations supporting overhead, underground, URD, joint use make-ready, street lighting, reliability improvements, grid modernization, and new business projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering (Electrical Engineering preferred).
12+ years of progressive experience supporting electric distribution engineering for an electric utility or utility consulting organization.
Relevant experience is defined as experience performing electric distribution design engineering while working directly for an electric utility or an electric utility consulting firm.
Specialized experience may be considered in lieu of the required years of experience.
Demonstrated success leading large engineering organizations with responsibility for operational performance, financial results, and talent development.
Strong understanding of electric distribution design, construction practices, NESC requirements, and utility engineering standards.
Experience managing customer relationships, business development activities, contract performance, and proposal development.
Excellent leadership, communication, coaching, and organizational skills.

Nice To Haves

Experience supporting Southern Company operating companies (Georgia Power, Alabama Power, Mississippi Power, or Southern Company Gas) is strongly preferred.
Thorough understanding of Southern Company engineering standards, work management systems, construction practices, and customer expectations.
Experience leading engineering teams supporting Georgia Power Distribution programs, including reliability, DOT relocations, overhead and underground design, joint use, street lighting, and new business.
Experience with GIS platforms, Bentley OpenUtilities Designer, PoleForeman, Smallworld, Maximo, or similar utility software.
Professional Engineer (PE) license and/or PMP certification preferred.
Experience supporting grid modernization, distribution automation, resilience initiatives, and emerging utility technologies.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a high-performing team of engineering managers, supervisors, project managers, and design professionals.
Foster a culture centered on safety, quality, accountability, continuous improvement, and employee development.
Build and maintain trusted relationships with Southern Company leadership and key utility stakeholders.
Drive operational performance through schedule execution, quality management, financial performance, and resource planning.
Lead business development efforts, including proposal development, strategic growth initiatives, and expansion of existing client relationships.
Provide executive oversight of engineering calculations, construction package development, permitting, right-of-way coordination, cost estimating, customer advocacy, and project delivery.
Champion innovation through digital engineering tools, GIS, CAD, automation, and process improvements.
Collaborate across Leidos business lines to deliver integrated solutions for our utility clients.