Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

The Renewables Site Design Engineering Manager at Westwood not only plays a pivotal role in overseeing and managing civil design and technical solutions for utility-scale renewable projects but also excels in supervising and mentoring a team of design professionals.

This leadership position involves providing strategic direction, guidance, and mentorship to the design team to ensure the successful execution of projects.

In addition to defining project tasks, schedules, and resource requirements, the Engineering Manager is responsible for supervising staff, improving workflows, and fostering a collaborative and innovative work environment. By supervising people effectively, the Engineering Manager ensures that team members are empowered to excel in their roles, contribute their best work, and grow professionally within the organization.

Furthermore, the Engineering Manager plays a crucial role in upholding QA/QC standards, overseeing project scopes, managing budgets, and identifying opportunities for additional scope and revenue. By supervising staff, participating in business development activities, and building strong relationships with clients and internal teams, the Engineering Manager drives project success and contributes to the overall growth and success of Westwood in the renewable energy sector.

Duties and Responsibilities

1) Business Leadership

• People management (growth planning, corrective actions, resource allocation).
• Ensure the team receives training to perform daily tasks effectively.
• Engage with the team to understand their needs.
• Balance resources among teams.
• Interpret employee handbook and company policies for staff.
• Review operational procedures for compliance with policies and performance standards.
• Implement strategic plans and service initiatives aligned with company vision and objectives.
• Stay informed about industry trends to enhance services and delivery methods.

2) Staff Development

• Cultivate professional engineering attitudes while encouraging creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and dependability.
• Foster a mentoring culture that supports staff growth and success.
• Mentor direct reports and project teams by providing guidance and reviewing work products.
• Train and mentor staff directly.

3) Quality

• Promote design concepts, specifications, and quality control practices considering cost, technology, risk, and competitiveness.
• Identify risks and mitigation strategies.
• Provide technical guidance during all project phases.
• Lead QA/QC for assigned projects including:
  • EOR oversight and final reviews
  • Plan and specification review for constructability and risk
  • Review work of other design team members
  • Ensure compliance with company design/CAD standards
  • Verify accuracy of work products
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders to produce constructible designs, including:
  • Clients, utilities, and code agencies
  • Internal and external meetings
  • Internal design team meetings
  • Cross-functional collaboration
  • Status reporting to Project Managers
• Maintain firm standards and consistency.
• Support leadership in enhancing QA/QC procedures.

4) Project Leadership

• Serve as Lead Engineer on projects.
• Provide leadership, management, and mentorship.
• Plan, coordinate, and execute engineering tasks.
• Schedule and allocate resources.
• Lead meetings and present engineering topics.
• Guide professional communication with stakeholders.
• Support Project Manager with scope, schedule, budget, reporting, and invoicing.
• Assist with project close-out activities including lessons learned.

5) Business Development Support

• Strengthen relationships with existing clients and help acquire new clients.
• Lead proposal efforts and provide technical expertise.
• Prepare technical proposals and estimates.
• Collaborate with leadership to develop strategies and expand market share.

6) Technical Responsibilities

• Serve as subject matter expert in renewable project design and construction.
• Provide technical guidance to the team.
• Read and create construction drawings and specifications.
• Uphold high standards for quality and consistency.
• Stay informed about new developments affecting the organization.
• Develop new techniques or improve existing processes.
• Advance technical capabilities and support innovative solutions.

Direction Received

Receives administrative supervision with assignments given in terms of broad objectives and limits.

Supervisory Responsibility

• Direct reports may include Senior Engineers, Project Engineers, Staff Engineers, and Technicians.
• Responsible for team performance, deadlines, scope, and budget adherence.

Success Measures

• Leading an engaged, high-performing team delivering quality products.
• Ensuring staff receive necessary training.
• Completing projects accurately within schedule, scope, and budget.
• Building strong client relationships and repeat business.
• Establishing trust with clients and project teams.
• Serving as a technical advisor while effectively delegating work.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience.
• 3+ years leading discipline-specific design work as part of broader multi-discipline projects.
• Experience working for: (1) an engineering consulting firm or (2) EPCs, developers, or construction contractors in the renewable energy sector.
• Bachelor’s degree in engineering from an ABET/EAC-accredited program.
• Professional Engineer (PE) certification.

Required Technical Skills

• Advanced knowledge of engineering, communication, teamwork, and leadership.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to quality.
• Ability to represent your service internally and externally.
• Working knowledge of project management principles.
• Advanced knowledge of construction drawings and specifications.
• Basic knowledge of construction practices and constructability.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook, etc.).
• Commitment to lifelong learning and staying informed on industry developments.

Required Personal Skills

• Leadership expertise in operations, project management, team building, and technical direction.
• Professional engineering attitudes including creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and reliability.
• Ability to regularly interact with leaders, clients, officials, and contractors.
• Advanced oral and written communication skills, including ability to:
  • Interpret complex technical and contractual language
  • Apply formal strategic and persuasive communication principles
  • Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical audiences
  • Provide technical direction to teams
  • Represent the organization professionally
  • Consider diverse stakeholder needs
  • Demonstrate empathy and strong listening skills
  • Address conflicts with assertiveness and collaboration
• Ability to sustain a team culture aligned with organizational values.
• Ability to mentor staff and promote growth across engineering teams.
• Ability to lead design teams with strong resource management and delegation skills.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively across multiple offices.

Preferred Additional Skills

• Advanced knowledge of project management principles.
• Renewable energy experience.