Practice Manager, Substations

Practice Manager, Substations

Forge ahead with WSB. WSB was founded on the understanding that culture drives results, and we've dedicated ourselves to the value of strong relationships, collaboration, and forward-thinking ideas. We've inspired each other to discover thoughtful and creative solutions that look beyond the needs of today to the opportunities of tomorrow. We invite you to forge ahead with us.

Overview

The Practice Manager, Substations Engineering provides regional leadership for the planning, design, and delivery of substation engineering projects, with a strong focus on Physical and Protection & Controls (P&C) design. This role is responsible for managing and supervising engineers, designers, and drafters across a defined region or practice group, while establishing engineering standards, developing talent, and ensuring quality, profitability, and client satisfaction. The Practice Manager plays a key role in practice growth, staff development, and strategic client engagement.

What you will do:

• Provide technical oversight for substation design projects, including physical substation layouts, major equipment, and P&C systems.
• Review and approve engineering designs, calculations, drawings, and deliverables prepared by team members.
• Serve as Engineer of Record / responsible charge on assigned projects, as appropriate.
• Establish, implement, and uphold engineering standards, workflows, and quality control procedures throughout the practice.
• Ensure consistency and compliance with applicable codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Coordinate with other disciplines to ensure integrated, accurate, and constructible designs.
• Assist in developing and managing project budgets, schedules, and resource plans across multiple concurrent projects.
• Identify scope changes and risks; support project managers with change management and mitigation strategies.
• Maintain awareness of procurement processes, contract administration, and project execution considerations.
• Demonstrate strong analytical, decision‑making, and problem‑solving skills across technical and operational challenges.
• Effectively prioritize competing demands across staff leadership, technical oversight, and business responsibilities.
• May remain in a stationary position for extended periods while reviewing designs, coordinating teams, or performing planning activities.
• May remain in stationary position for extended periods.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

People Leadership:

• Executes specific goals & operational plans for assigned teams against Group plans.
• Plans for upcoming work, allocates budgets, & schedules needed resources. 
• Maintains adherence to quality standards and administrative policies (e.g., time sheets, expense reports).
• Leads people through coaching and development, effective performance management, and hiring and workforce planning.

Project Management:

• Supports PM in Overseeing budgets and project portfolios aligned to team goals. 
• Manages risk and resource planning for successful delivery.

Client Management:

• Assists in day-to-day client relationships, ensuring consistent communication, issue resolution, and client satisfaction.  
• Builds strong client relationships that support retention and repeat work. 
• Identifies and communicates opportunities to expand services or engage new clients, supporting business development efforts and documenting pursuits.

What you will bring:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related technical discipline.
• Minimum of 10 years of progressive experience in substation engineering design.
• Extensive technical knowledge of substation layouts, major equipment, and Protection & Controls (P&C) systems.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience leading, supervising, or managing engineers and technical teams.
• Demonstrated experience overseeing multiple projects, budgets, schedules, and resources at a program or regional level.
• Licenses/Certifications:  
• Professional Electrical Engineer (PE) license required 
• Proficiency in engineering design software and tools used for substation Physical and Protection & Controls design.
• Ability to interpret and apply relevant design guides, standards, and engineering principles.
• Microsoft Suite Products (e.g. Outlook, Excel, Word, PowerPoint, SharePoint, OneDrive, etc).
• Working Conditions/Schedule/Location:
• Work is primarily performed in an office environment with standard office equipment. 
• Must be able to work onsite at a WSB office, as needed, up to five days per week, as required by the project, client, or hiring manager.
• Travel or field visits may be required to support project needs or stakeholder collaboration.

Who We Are:

WSB is a design and consulting firm specializing in Transportation, Community Planning, Environmental, Energy, Municipal, and Construction services. We provide solutions for the places, spaces and systems that support our lives. We offer services in more than 50 complementary areas across the nation.

Full time WSB employees qualify for competitive compensation and benefits package, including medical insurance, dental insurance, vision insurance, life insurance, company paid short-and long-term disability, 401K with match, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and opportunities for professional growth and development. Part time employees can participate in the 401K plan and applicable earned paid leave.

As an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer, all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, gender identity, veteran or disability status.

WSB strives to ensure that its careers website is accessible to all. If you need assistance completing your online application, please email [email protected].

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, WSB is committed to providing reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities and disabled veterans. If you need a reasonable accommodation to assist with your job search or application for employment, please e-mail us at [email protected]. In your e-mail, please include a description of the specific accommodation you are requesting as well as the job title and requisition number of the position for which you are applying.

Notice to Third Party Agencies: WSB does not accept unsolicited resumes from third party recruiting firms. Absent a signed Service Agreement by WSB, we reserve the right to pursue and hire any unsolicited candidates without financial obligation to recruiters or agencies.