Senior Engineer)-Distribution System Planning Program Manager

ComEd•Oakbrook Terrace, IL

About The Position

The Program Manager provides strategic and technical leadership in planning and executing programs that support electric utility infrastructure, including distribution, transmission, substations, and related systems. The role combines engineering expertise with program management, strategic planning, and cross-functional leadership. It evaluates complex system needs, develops and prioritizes solutions, translates engineering requirements into executable programs and investment strategies, and drives execution across multiple organizations. The position leads infrastructure and capacity planning initiatives; evaluates system performance, risks, and investment needs; develops program strategies and business cases; manages scope, budgets, schedules, risks, and performance; coordinates engineering and project execution; communicates recommendations to leadership; and aligns stakeholders across Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Finance, Regulatory, and other organizations. It requires balancing safety, reliability, customer needs, risk, cost, schedule, and long-term system objectives while maintaining both technical and business perspectives. The role leads programs and recommendations with significant financial, operational, reliability, customer, or strategic impact. It operates across organizational boundaries, influences infrastructure investment and resource decisions, and independently navigates complex or ambiguous problems to build alignment and drive resolution.

Requirements

For Engineer level: Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited program.
For Engineer level: 2–4 years of professional engineering experience.
For General Engineer level: Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited program or Professional Engineer (PE) license.
For General Engineer level: 4–7 years of professional engineering experience.
For General Engineer level: Minimum of two related career experiences, Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, or significant progress toward an advanced degree or professional certification.
For Senior Engineer level: Bachelor's degree in engineering from an accredited program or Professional Engineer (PE) license.
For Senior Engineer level: 7 or more years of professional engineering experience.
For Senior Engineer level: Minimum of three related career experiences, PE license, advanced degree, industry leadership experience, or equivalent professional achievement.
Knowledge of engineering principles, practices, standards, and applicable regulations.
Ability to analyze and interpret complex technical systems and apply engineering solutions.
Demonstrated problem-solving and analytical abilities; project coordination abilities are specified for the General Engineer level.
For Senior Engineer level: Advanced knowledge of engineering principles, standards, codes, methods, and practices.
For Senior Engineer level: Demonstrated ability to solve complex technical challenges and lead engineering initiatives.
For Senior Engineer level: Proven experience providing technical leadership, mentorship, or project leadership.

Nice To Haves

Graduate degree or graduate-level coursework in Engineering, Business Administration, Finance, or a related discipline.
Project management certification such as PMP or equivalent program/project management experience.
Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification and/or Professional Engineer (PE) license.
Experience in electric utility distribution, transmission, substations, system planning, capacity planning, reliability, grid modernization, or infrastructure investment planning.
Ability to evaluate complex engineering and infrastructure needs and translate technical findings into program strategies, investment recommendations, and business decisions.
Experience leading complex, cross-functional programs or portfolios involving multiple projects, stakeholders, priorities, and dependencies.
Experience developing and managing program budgets, schedules, risks, performance measures, and executive reporting.
Strong analytical and problem-solving skills, including synthesizing technical, operational, and financial information into clear priorities and recommendations.
Experience with Power BI, Excel, Python, CYMDIST, PSS®E, or comparable engineering, planning, analytics, or visualization tools.
Strong written, verbal, and presentation skills, including communicating complex engineering and program issues to technical and non-technical audiences.
Ability to influence without direct authority, resolve competing priorities, build stakeholder alignment, and drive decisions across organizational boundaries.

Responsibilities

Lead complex programs and strategic initiatives involving electric utility infrastructure, system capacity, reliability, modernization, and long-term system needs.
Apply engineering knowledge and judgment to evaluate system needs, risks, constraints, and alternatives, and develop recommendations balancing technical, operational, financial, and business considerations.
Develop program strategies, roadmaps, investment plans, and business cases that translate engineering needs into executable projects and programs.
Manage program scope, budgets, schedules, risks, dependencies, resource needs, and performance in alignment with organizational commitments and strategic objectives.
Lead cross-functional teams and stakeholder engagement across Engineering, Operations, Project Management, Finance, Regulatory, and other organizations.
Provide leadership and accountability for regulatory deliverables, including Reconciliation, Grid Plan, and other planning-related filings; coordinate technical analyses, investment justification, data validation, and responses to regulatory inquiries.
Analyze technical, operational, and financial information to identify trends, establish priorities, and support data-driven decision-making.
Communicate recommendations to leadership, including program status, investment needs, risks, alternatives, and required decisions.
Establish program performance measures and monitor results, identifying emerging risks, gaps, and opportunities for continuous improvement.
Provide technical and program leadership, coaching, and guidance to strengthen engineering judgment, program management practices, and organizational capability.
Participate in department and business planning, including field/site walkdowns, budget development, portfolio reviews, and performance monitoring.
Maintain awareness of emerging utility technologies, planning methodologies, industry practices, regulatory developments, and analytical capabilities applicable to infrastructure and investment strategy.

Benefits

Competitive compensation
Annual bonus for eligible positions: 15%
401(k) match and annual company contribution
Medical, dental, and vision insurance
Life and disability insurance
Paid time off options, including vacation, sick time, floating and fixed holidays
Maternity leave and bonding/primary caregiver leave or parental leave
Employee Assistance Program and resources for mental and emotional support
Wellbeing programs
Tuition reimbursement
Adoption and surrogacy assistance
Fitness reimbursement
Referral bonus program