Substation Operations Manager

EVS, Inc.•Home Office - Minnesota, MN

20d•$135,000 - $175,000•Hybrid

About The Position

The Substation Operations Manager provides strategic and operational leadership for EVS’s Substation Engineering department. The role oversees project planning, design, execution, team development, client relationships, and financial performance, while ensuring high-quality engineering deliverables and efficient project completion on schedule and in alignment with client expectations. Working with the Senior Director and other Substation department leaders, the manager establishes departmental goals and operational priorities and collaborates across PV and BESS, Civil, Geotechnical, Survey, Structural, and the Project Management Office. The role supports business growth, strengthens client relationships, develops employees, and establishes operational standards for long-term success. This position is intended for an experienced substation engineering leader with technical expertise, strategic and financial accountability, and a commitment to building a collaborative, high-performing team. The role is hybrid/remote, with a requirement to work in person at the Minnetonka office at least two days per week and to travel for client meetings, visits, and industry tradeshows as needed.

Requirements

Bachelor’s or master’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field.
Proven management or leadership experience in a substation engineering department or closely related electrical engineering environment.
In-depth knowledge of substation engineering principles, design practices, project execution, and quality control.
Strong understanding of project management, including scope development, scheduling, resource planning, budgeting, and financial performance.
Demonstrated ability to lead technical teams, manage multiple projects, and deliver high-quality work within established timelines and budgets.
Strong leadership and people-management skills, including recruitment, coaching, performance management, and employee development experience.
Excellent communication and interpersonal skills and ability to collaborate across departments, project teams, clients, and leadership.
Experience developing scopes of work, preparing proposals, supporting pricing decisions, and participating in client negotiations.
Strong client relationship management skills and ability to identify opportunities to strengthen partnerships and support business growth.
Ability to establish effective workflows, implement process improvements, and promote consistent engineering and project delivery standards.
Strong business and financial acumen, balancing project quality, client satisfaction, profitability, and resource utilization.
Proactive problem-solving and decision-making skills for complex technical and operational challenges.
Commitment to employee development, accountability, and a positive, collaborative team culture.
Ability to adapt to changing priorities and provide additional support during critical project deadlines.
Willingness to travel for client meetings, client visits, and industry tradeshows.
Ability to work in person at the Minnetonka office at least two days per week.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineering (PE) licensure preferred.

Responsibilities

Lead planning, design, and execution of substation engineering projects in alignment with departmental objectives, scopes, budgets, and schedules.
Partner with the Senior Director and Substation leaders to establish, execute, and monitor departmental goals, strategies, and operational priorities.
Oversee substation engineering drawings, calculations, and technical deliverables for accuracy, quality, and compliance with applicable codes, standards, and safety requirements.
Establish and improve workflows, procedures, quality control measures, and project delivery practices.
Monitor project progress, resource allocation, and performance to meet commitments and client expectations.
Identify opportunities to improve operations, technical standards, and project execution.
Lead recruitment, onboarding, training, and professional development for the substation engineering team.
Coach, mentor, and provide performance feedback; conduct performance reviews and address team challenges and conflicts.
Keep the team informed about emerging substation technologies, engineering practices, industry trends, and regulatory developments.
Foster a collaborative, accountable, high-performing culture focused on technical excellence, communication, and continuous improvement.
Build and maintain client relationships, participate in client meetings and business development, and serve as a client champion when assigned.
Collaborate with PV and BESS, Civil, Geotechnical, Survey, Structural, and PMO leaders to coordinate interdisciplinary project requirements.
Develop scopes of work, prepare pricing proposals, and support project budgeting and financial planning.
Participate in client negotiations and help establish project expectations, deliverables, schedules, and commercial terms.
Monitor project financial performance and identify opportunities to improve profitability, resource utilization, and operational efficiency.
Ensure departmental work complies with engineering standards, regulations, safety requirements, and internal quality procedures.
Support employee engagement, satisfaction, and retention through leadership, communication, and professional development.
Provide hands-on leadership during critical project deadlines and help resolve challenges.
Balance technical priorities, client needs, employee development, and business objectives to support departmental growth.