Director of Planning

Meruelo GroupJurupa Valley, CA

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.
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