Engineer Manager

natgridProd•Waltham, MA

1d•Onsite

About The Position

Superpowered. Meaningful work. Human impact. A story we're proud to tell. This is what matters to us at National Grid. In a world of complexity and unanswered questions, there is one thing we're certain about: the power of our people. National Grid is hiring a Engineering Manager (Electrical Planning and Design), Electrical Engineering for Massachusetts. This is a Onsite Role - Must live within a commutable distance to Northboro, MA. Job PurposeUnderground Transmission Engineering designs projects that improve the safety and reliability of the high‑voltage electric system for our customers, now and in the future. In addition, the team supports safe and efficient operation of the underground transmission system through technical guidance for operation, maintenance, and emergency response. Our team has a process‑driven and self‑directed culture, solving diverse technical challenges for large, complex, multi‑year projects, and supporting restoration efforts when our communities need us the most. As Manager, you will lead and develop a team of engineers delivering work from concept through closeout across New England and New York. The role provides technical and people leadership for underground transmission cable system design and associated civil infrastructure, including routing/feasibility, manhole and ductbank systems, special crossings, material/vendor coordination, and construction administration. This includes work on extruded dielectric cable systems (e.g., XLPE/EPR) and, where applicable, legacy fluid‑filled systems (SCFF) and pipe‑type systems (HPFF/HPGF). You will also lead the engineering response for underground cable failures and partner cross‑functionally with transmission, substation, distribution, operations, project management, procurement, and contractors to ensure adherence to processes and the highest standards of health, safety, environmental, security, quality, and technical excellence.

Requirements

Strong ability to lead, coach, and motivate a team of direct reports; set clear expectations and build a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement.
Demonstrated ability to influence and align stakeholders across a collaborative, matrix organization; strong negotiation and conflict‑resolution skills.
Excellent written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics clearly to technical and non‑technical audiences.
Proven problem‑solving capability and sound judgment; able to make timely decisions, escalate appropriately, and drive issues to closure.
Highly organized with the ability to prioritize competing demands across multiple projects and deadlines while maintaining quality and consistency.
Ability to develop effective working relationships quickly with internal partners, contractors, vendors, and municipal/regulatory stakeholders.
Ability to work independently with initiative and ownership, while engaging the right partners and leaders to remove barriers and maintain momentum.
Demonstrated people‑leadership fundamentals: hiring and onboarding, performance management, coaching and development, and building team capability over time.
Bachelor of Science in a relevant Engineering discipline from an ABET accredited engineering school.
10+ years’ experience in transmission engineering, underground cable systems, utility construction, or equivalent relevant experience.
Demonstrated experience leading people and/or technical teams in a matrix organization; ability to set priorities, drive accountability, and develop team capability.
Demonstrated underground transmission engineering experience across the project lifecycle, including routing/feasibility, basis of design, detailed design packages, and construction support.
Working knowledge of underground cable systems and associated infrastructure (ductbanks, manholes/vaults, transitions/terminations, jointing/splicing, bonding/grounding).
Demonstrated safety leadership and commitment to integrating safety into planning and design decisions; experience coordinating safely with field teams and contractors during construction and emergency response.
Valid driver’s license required with a safe driving history that meets National Grid’s Safe Driver policy.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineering (PE) license.
Master’s degree in engineering discipline, MBA, or relevant equivalent.
Experience with multiple underground transmission cable technologies, including extruded dielectric systems (XLPE/EPR) and legacy fluid filled systems (SCFF) and/or pipe type systems (HPFF/HPGF), including accessories and O&M/emergency response considerations.
Strong knowledge of construction administration practices; experience using Procore preferred.
Experience supporting special crossings and constructability planning (e.g., HDD, jack & bore, microtunnel, bridge/rail crossings), including coordination with permitting and stakeholders.
Familiarity with cable rating/thermal considerations and related studies (e.g., ampacity inputs, thermal backfill considerations) and how these affect design and constructability.
Experience with major material and vendor coordination typical to underground transmission (lead times, submittals, inspections, delivery sequencing, punch list/closeout support).
Working knowledge of electrical system operations, engineering economics, and familiarity with environmental, legal, procurement, and utility accounting/regulatory practices.

Responsibilities

Lead and develop a high-performing Underground Transmission Engineering team; set priorities, assign work, and drive accountability for safety, quality, schedule, and cost outcomes.
Oversee the team’s portfolio performance, ensuring deliverables meet scope, schedule, budget, and safety expectations; maintain a consistent reporting cadence for stakeholders.
Provide technical leadership for underground transmission cable system design from concept through closeout — including cable selection/configuration, accessories (joints/terminations), bonding/grounding, ampacity/thermal considerations, and constructability — across extruded dielectric systems (e.g., XLPE/EPR) and, where applicable, legacy fluid-filled and pipe-type systems (SCFF, HPFF/HPGF).
Provide technical leadership for civil infrastructure design supporting underground systems, including routing/feasibility, manhole/vault and ductbank systems, and special crossings (e.g., HDD, jack & bore, microtunnel, bridge/rail/water crossings).
Ensure compliance with National Grid and industry standards through effective QA/QC practices, including design review, constructability checks, and closeout documentation expectations.
Manage external engineering and material vendor relationships (scope, performance, and contract expectations) in partnership with procurement and project teams.
Support construction administration by driving consistent practices for RFIs/submittals, field changes, as-builts, and resolution of complex field issues; escalate high-risk items through appropriate channels as needed.
Champion Safety by Design, Design to Value, and capital efficiency initiatives; coach the team to identify and implement improvements that enhance safety, quality, delivery, and cost performance.
Plan and maintain staffing coverage for priority work across NE/NY, including hiring, onboarding, mentoring, and performance management; ensure targeted training and development plans are in place to maintain proficiency and keep pace with evolving standards and technologies.
Partner cross-functionally with transmission, substation, distribution, operations, project management, and stakeholders to resolve interdisciplinary issues and drive timely decisions.
Lead and support emergency response for underground cable failures and participate in storm response as required; ensure you and the team are prepared to execute assigned roles