Director of Planning

Meruelo Group • Jurupa Valley, CA

2h

About The Position

The Director of Planning will be responsible for leading planning, design, and growth for MEI across SCE, SDG&E, and key utility clients. Modernize operations, expand services, and drive revenue in design-build and EPC, building on 65+ years of expertise in utility planning and AutoCAD-based design.

Requirements

• 10+ years progressive experience in electric utility distribution planning and design (overhead and underground).
• 5+ years leading planning, design, or BD teams at a utility, design firm, or utility contractor.
• Demonstrated direct experience with SCE and/or SDG&E planning standards (DDS/ESR/DUG/DOH/UGS/GO 95/GO 128).
• Fluent in AutoCAD/AUD, SPIDA Calc, GIS, Microsoft Project, and Power BI.
• Proven business development track record — MSA renewals, RFP wins, customer relationship management.
• Knowledge of CPUC GO 156 supplier diversity, prevailing wage / certified payroll (DIR), and union labor.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Construction Management, or related field.
• Valid CA driver's license; ability to travel 25–40%.

Nice To Haves

• P.E. (California) license.
• MBA or equivalent business leadership credential.
• Prior experience inside SCE Distribution/Technical Planning or SDG&E Construction Services.
• Spectrum / Viewpoint Vista construction ERP fluency.
• Bilingual (English/Spanish).
• Experience in design-build / EPC delivery.

Responsibilities

• Own the end-to-end planning and design function for all SCE, SDG&E, and other utility/telecom customer programs — including distribution substation planning, new circuit planning, deteriorated pole replacement (transmission and distribution), overhead-to-underground conversions, underground civil and cable replacement, and 4kV cutover planning and design.
• Set design standards and quality controls compliant with SCE DDS/ESR/DUG/DOH/UGS, SDG&E construction standards, CPUC tariffs, and CPUC General Orders GO 95, GO 128, and GO 165.
• Oversee AutoCAD/AUD (Autodesk Utility Design), SPIDA Calc pole loading, and GIS workflows; standardize templates and packages to accelerate work-order cycle times.
• Manage civil base mapping, traffic control designs, permitting support, and AutoCAD drafting/survey services.
• Build and execute a multi-year BD plan for SCE Design Contractor Program, SDG&E design-build, LADWP, PG&E, Burbank Water & Power, Glendale Water & Power, and out-of-state customers in NV, AZ, and OR.
• Build customer relationships at SCE T&D Planning (Pomona, Rosemead, Alhambra), SDG&E Construction Services (San Diego), and other key utility decision-makers.
• Lead pursuit strategy, MSA renewals, RFP responses, and pricing for planning/design and design-build EPC scopes.
• Manage department P&L; deliver work-order cycle times that meet or beat CPUC mandates and SCE/SDG&E performance metrics.
• Build, mentor, and retain a unionized and non-union planner/designer workforce (IBEW Local 47/465 alignment where applicable).
• Partner with Tidwell construction operations to ensure constructability of all designs and seamless handoff to field crews.
• Maintain Tidwell's CPUC Supplier Clearinghouse MBE certification and align with CPUC General Order 156 supplier-diversity goals.
• Ensure 100% compliance with prevailing wage, certified payroll (DIR), and OSHA/Cal-OSHA standards on all public works planning work.
• Champion Tidwell's safety culture; integrate safety moments into all planning reviews; partner with the MEI EcoOnline rollout.
• Build the annual planning department budget; deliver monthly variance explanations and catch-back plans.
• Recommend capital investments in design technology (e.g., GIS upgrades, design automation, AI estimating tools).
• Report to the President monthly on revenue, backlog, win rate, cycle time, and pipeline.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Director