Manager or Associate Director, System Protection Engineering (Electric Utility)

Manager or Associate Director, System Protection Engineering (Electric Utility)Locations: Texas City, TX or Lewisville, TXSalary Range: $120,000 – $210,000+ (Depending on Experience)A leading Texas electric transmission and distribution utility is seeking a Manager or Associate Director, System Protection Engineering to oversee the strategic direction and day‑to‑day execution of its System Protection organization. This role is responsible for ensuring the safe, reliable, and compliant design and operation of protection systems across transmission and distribution infrastructure.This position offers the opportunity to lead a highly technical team supporting grid reliability, capital expansion, and regulatory compliance within a regulated utility environment.Position OverviewLeadership role overseeing System Protection engineering and standardsLocation flexibility: Texas City, TX, League City, TX, or Lewisville, TXManages multiple concurrent projects, capital programs, and engineering personnelActs as a senior technical authority and compliance subject matter expertCompensation & BenefitsBase salary: $120,000 – $210,000+, depending on experienceMedical, dental, and vision insuranceAnnual Incentive Plan401(k) company match and company‑paid retirement contributionsPaid time off and holidaysLong‑term stability and leadership growth in a regulated utility environmentPosition SummaryThe Manager, System Protection Engineering oversees the technical, operational, and strategic functions of the System Protection group. This role develops and implements engineering solutions, standards, and programs to ensure protection systems are safe, reliable, and compliant with regulatory and corporate requirements.The Manager leads engineering teams, manages budgets, establishes long‑term strategy, and serves as a technical subject matter expert for system protection and NERC compliance.Essential Duties & ResponsibilitiesLead, delegate, and coordinate engineering work across multiple simultaneous projectsOversee technical requirements for capital expansion, infrastructure replacement, and modernization projectsDevelop, revise, and implement protection schemes, relay communications, metering, control, station, and line standardsEnsure compliance with all applicable codes, rules, and regulations, including NERC, IEEE, ASTM, NFPA, and state/federal requirementsEstablish and monitor quality assurance processes for new and existing infrastructure projectsDevelop annual performance objectives and long‑term departmental strategyManage capital, O&M, and E&S budgets associated with the System Protection groupAct as a technical SME for NERC compliance and reliability standardsRecommend and implement improvements to company engineering and construction standardsCoordinate department activities with System Planning, System Engineering, Power Operations, Distribution Operations, and Maintenance teamsRepresent the organization on internal and external engineering, operating, and standards committeesRequired QualificationsBachelor’s degree in engineering from an accredited institution7–9 years of experience in an electric utility environment with a focus on Protection & Control / System ProtectionMinimum 2 years of people management experienceDemonstrated expertise in system protection design, standards, and operationsWorking knowledge of NERC Reliability Standards and their applicationAbility to lead technical teams, manage multiple priorities, and make independent engineering decisionsMaster’s degree preferredPreferred Certifications & LicensesTexas Professional Engineer (PE) license preferredValid driver’s license meeting company requirementsCore CompetenciesExpert‑level knowledge of System Protection engineeringStrong understanding of telecommunications, metering, substations, and transmission linesKnowledge of construction and maintenance of utility transmission and distribution systemsProven leadership and ability to motivate and develop technical staffAbility to manage complex projects on time and within budgetStrong judgment, creativity, and interpersonal skillsSupervisory ResponsibilitiesDirect management of engineers and technical staffOversight of a multi‑disciplinary engineering teamPerformance management, coaching, training, and staffing evaluationCommunication SkillsAdvanced written and verbal communication skillsAbility to prepare and present proposals, reports, and technical briefings to senior leadershipAbility to communicate complex technical concepts to audiences with varying levels of technical expertiseEffective interaction with internal and external stakeholdersTechnical & Computer SkillsProficiency with standard office software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, databases)Familiarity with protection engineering and testing tools such as:ASPEN OneLinerDoble and Omicron testing softwareEnoserv RTSRelay platforms including SEL, GE, Novatech, and similar systemsCompliance & Background RequirementsPosition is covered by NERC CIP cybersecurity standardsSuccessful completion of a personnel risk assessment, background check, and identity verification requiredAnnual cybersecurity training requiredWork Environment & Physical RequirementsPrimarily office‑based with periodic field visits to substations and transmission facilitiesExposure to energized equipment up to 345kVMay be on 24‑hour call during certain periodsAbility to lift up to 50 lbs occasionallyOccasional travel for meetings and conferences, including limited air travelApply TodayJoin a utility leadership team responsible for protecting and advancing the reliability of Texas’ electric grid through expert engineering, strong leadership, and regulatory excellence.