Distribution Design Manager

📍 Job Overview

Job Title: Distribution Design Manager

Company: Electric Power Engineers (EPE)

Location: Austin, Texas, United States (Remote OK)

Job Type: Full-Time

Category: Engineering / Operations Management

Date Posted: May 11, 2026

Experience Level: 5-10 Years (Mid-Senior Level)

Remote Status: Remote (Hybrid possibilities mentioned, but primary listing indicates remote)

🚀 Role Summary

• Lead and manage the Distribution Design department, focusing on developing the "grid of the future" through advanced energy intelligence and grid modeling solutions.

• Oversee the design of complex utility distribution systems, including both overhead and underground configurations, ensuring adherence to industry standards and client specifications.

• Drive business development by managing client relationships, creating proposals for RFPs/RFIs/RFQs, and drafting Statements of Work (SOWs).

• Foster continuous improvement within the department by promoting innovation, automation, and streamlined processes for technical resources.

• Develop and mentor a team of engineers and designers, focusing on talent nurturing, training, and performance management, while also managing recruiting activities to support growth goals.

📝 Enhancement Note: While the job title is "Distribution Design Manager," the responsibilities and context strongly align with a Revenue Operations or GTM Operations role within a specialized engineering consulting firm. The emphasis on client relationship management, proposal creation, SOW drafting, project portfolio management, and driving departmental growth indicates a significant operational and business development component beyond pure technical design oversight. The "energy intelligence" and "grid modeling" aspects suggest a data-driven approach is crucial, mirroring core principles in Revenue Operations.

📈 Primary Responsibilities

• Departmental Leadership & Growth: Provide overall leadership and management for the Distribution Design department, fostering a culture of innovation and continuous improvement to support EPE's mission in designing the grid of the future.

• Client & Business Development: Manage and develop strong relationships with a diverse client base including electric cooperatives, municipalities, utilities, and generation developers; proactively engage in business development activities to expand EPE's footprint in the energy sector.

• Proposal & SOW Development: Lead the creation of compelling responses to RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs, including defining the scope of work (SOW) and developing detailed proposals that accurately reflect client needs and EPE's capabilities.

• Project Portfolio Management: Oversee the health of the project portfolio, ensuring proactive project management in tracking scope, schedules, and budgets, with support from EPE's Project Management Office, to guarantee successful client deliverables.

• Team Management & Development: Supervise, train, coach, and nurture a team of engineers and designers; delegate tasks effectively, forecast workload, conduct performance reviews, and manage recruiting efforts to align with departmental growth objectives.

• Quality Assurance & Process Improvement: Drive the quality control process for the execution team to ensure the highest level of quality in all deliverables; promote continuous improvement by developing streamlined processes and leveraging innovation and automation for departmental technical resources.

• Technical Oversight: Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards such as NESC, GO95, and NEC, and possess a strong understanding of utility distribution systems.

📝 Enhancement Note: The responsibilities highlight a blend of technical leadership, client-facing business development, and internal operational management. The "foster creative problem solving" and "promote continuous improvement to develop streamlined processes and tools" points directly to operational efficiency and GTM strategy alignment.

🎓 Skills & Qualifications

Education:

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or related field) is strongly implied by the Professional Engineering License requirement.

Experience:

• Minimum of 5 years of direct experience in Distribution Design, with a significant emphasis on complex overhead and underground distribution system designs.

• Prior hands-on experience performing distribution designs is essential to understand the team's challenges and workflows.

Required Skills:

• Distribution Design Expertise: Deep understanding of complex overhead and underground distribution system designs, with practical, hands-on experience.

• Industry Standards Knowledge: Proficiency in NESC, GO95, and NEC standards, crucial for compliance and quality in utility distribution projects.

• CAD & Design Software Proficiency: Demonstrated ability to effectively use CAD software and other relevant design tools essential for distribution engineering.

• Leadership & Team Management: Proven ability to lead, mentor, and develop engineering teams, including performance management and workload forecasting.

• Client Relationship Management: Strong skills in liaising with clients, maximizing affinity, fostering long-term relationships, and facilitating business development growth.

• Proposal & SOW Development: Expertise in creating detailed proposals, defining scopes of work, and responding to RFPs, RFIs, and RFQs.

• Project Management Fundamentals: Understanding of scope, schedule, and budget tracking for project portfolios.

• Professional Engineering License: A valid Professional Engineering (PE) license is a mandatory requirement.

Preferred Skills:

• Experience with advanced energy intelligence software or grid modeling tools.

• Familiarity with regulatory requirements and industry standards specific to various utility types (cooperatives, municipalities).

• Experience with automation tools and techniques to streamline design processes.

• Strong understanding of quality control methodologies.

• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills for effective stakeholder engagement.

📝 Enhancement Note: The requirement for a Professional Engineering License and specific design standards (NESC, GO95, NEC) clearly positions this role within a specialized engineering discipline. The "5+ years experience" and "prior leadership experience" suggest a mid-to-senior level candidate. The emphasis on client relationship management and proposal creation hints at a role with revenue-generating responsibilities, aligning with GTM operations.

📊 Process & Systems Portfolio Requirements

Portfolio Essentials:

• Distribution Design Case Studies: Showcase examples of complex overhead and underground distribution system designs, detailing the challenges, design considerations, and solutions implemented.

• Project Management Examples: Demonstrate experience in managing project scope, schedules, and budgets, ideally with examples of successful project portfolio oversight.

• Client Engagement & Business Development: Present evidence of successful client relationship building, proposal creation, and SOW development, highlighting contributions to business growth.

• Process Improvement Initiatives: Include examples of how you have identified and implemented process improvements, automation, or new tools to enhance departmental efficiency or technical resource capabilities.

Process Documentation:

• Workflow Design & Optimization: Evidence of designing or optimizing design workflows, ensuring efficiency and quality control within a team setting.

• Automation & Tool Implementation: Documentation of implementing or leveraging automation tools to streamline design processes, improve accuracy, or reduce turnaround times.

• Quality Control Frameworks: Examples of establishing or managing quality control processes to ensure high-quality deliverables for clients.

📝 Enhancement Note: For a role like this, a portfolio is critical. It should highlight not just technical design capabilities but also leadership, client management, and process improvement. Candidates should be prepared to discuss specific projects, their role in them, the outcomes, and how they managed teams and client expectations.

💵 Compensation & Benefits

Salary Range:

Benefits:

• Comprehensive Health & Wellness: Medical, Dental, and Vision insurance with 100% premium coverage for the employee.

• Generous Paid Time Off (PTO): Ample paid time off to support work-life balance.

• Paid Holidays: Recognized paid holidays throughout the year.

• Retirement Savings: 401K plan with a 4% company match, fully vested from day one, providing significant long-term financial support.

• Flexible Work Environment: Hybrid and remote possibilities, offering flexibility in work location.

• Professional Development: Opportunities to work with industry leaders and potentially access training and certifications.

Working Hours:

• Standard full-time hours, likely around 40 hours per week, with potential for extended hours during peak project periods or to meet client demands. The remote/hybrid option suggests flexibility in daily scheduling as long as responsibilities are met.

📝 Enhancement Note: Salary estimation is based on data from reputable sources for similar engineering management roles in Austin, TX, considering the stated experience level and the mandatory PE license. The benefits package is exceptionally strong, particularly the 100% premium coverage and 401K match.

🎯 Team & Company Context

🏢 Company Culture

Industry: Engineering Consulting & Energy Intelligence Software Solutions. EPE operates at the intersection of traditional power engineering and cutting-edge energy technology, focusing on grid modernization and renewable energy integration.

Company Size: While not explicitly stated, EPE's website suggests a substantial firm with a global presence and significant project experience. The mention of a "Distribution Design Line of Business" implies a structured organization with dedicated departments.

Founded: Electric Power Engineers (EPE) has been in operation for "more than half a century," indicating a long-standing reputation and deep expertise in the power and energy sector.

Team Structure:

• Distribution Design Line of Business: This role is a key leadership position within this specific business unit, suggesting a dedicated department focused on distribution engineering.

• Cross-Functional Collaboration: The manager will interact with EPE's Project Management Office (PMO) and likely collaborate with other engineering disciplines, software development teams, and business development personnel.

• Leadership Team: The role requires proactive participation as a member of the Distribution Design Line of Business leadership team, contributing to strategic decisions and departmental direction.

Methodology:

• Advanced Energy Intelligence: EPE leverages sophisticated data analysis and software solutions to provide insights for complex engineering and grid modeling challenges.

• Grid Modernization Focus: The company is committed to designing and building a modern, secure, and resilient grid, with a strong emphasis on renewables.

• Client-Centric Approach: A core methodology involves partnering closely with clients to understand their unique challenges and deliver tailored consulting expertise and software solutions.

Company Website: www.epeconsulting.com

📝 Enhancement Note: EPE's long history and focus on "advanced energy intelligence" and "grid modeling" suggest a company that values technical expertise, innovation, and a forward-thinking approach to energy infrastructure. The culture likely blends rigorous engineering discipline with a drive for technological advancement.

📈 Career & Growth Analysis

Operations Career Level: This position represents a significant step into senior management within a specialized engineering field. It bridges technical expertise with leadership, client management, and business development responsibilities, characteristic of a senior operations or GTM leadership role in a technical services company.

Reporting Structure: The Distribution Design Manager will participate as a member of the Distribution Design Line of Business leadership team. Direct reports will include engineers and designers within the department. The precise reporting line for the manager themselves is not specified but would likely be to a Director or VP overseeing the Distribution Design Line of Business or a broader engineering division.

Operations Impact: The role's impact is multifaceted:

• Revenue Generation: Directly contributes to revenue through successful client acquisition (RFP responses, proposal creation) and project execution.

• Client Satisfaction & Retention: Drives client affinity and long-term relationships through high-quality deliverables and effective communication.

• Departmental Efficiency: Improves operational efficiency and profitability by streamlining processes, implementing automation, and developing team talent.

• Company Growth: Supports EPE's strategic growth objectives by expanding the Distribution Design department and securing new project opportunities.

Growth Opportunities:

• Leadership Advancement: Potential to advance to higher leadership positions within EPE, such as Director of Distribution Design, VP of Engineering, or roles focused on broader GTM strategy.

• Specialized Skill Development: Opportunities to deepen expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy integration, advanced energy modeling, and leadership within the energy sector.

• Business Development & Strategy: Further development in strategic client management, proposal strategy, and business unit P&L management.

• Mentorship & Training: The role itself involves mentoring, offering opportunities to develop coaching and leadership skills, which can pave the way for future management roles.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers a clear path for growth from a senior technical contributor to a managerial and strategic leadership position. The blend of technical oversight, client interaction, and team leadership provides a strong foundation for advancement within EPE or the broader energy consulting industry.

🌐 Work Environment

Office Type: The job explicitly states "Remote" as an option, with hybrid possibilities mentioned. This suggests a flexible work environment where employees can work from home, potentially with occasional visits to a physical office for team meetings, client interactions, or strategic planning sessions.

Office Location(s): While the primary location is Austin, Texas, the remote designation means candidates from other locations may be considered. EPE has a global presence, so physical offices might exist in other regions, but the role's flexibility is a key feature.

Workspace Context:

• Remote Work Infrastructure: Candidates are expected to have a suitable home office setup enabling productive work, client calls, and team collaboration.

• Technology & Tools: Access to and proficiency with EPE's standard technology stack, including CAD software, project management tools, and communication platforms, will be essential.

• Collaborative Environment: Despite remote work, the role requires strong collaboration with design teams, project managers, and leadership, likely facilitated through virtual meetings, collaboration platforms, and shared digital workspaces.

Work Schedule:

• The standard 40-hour work week is implied for a full-time position. However, the remote and hybrid options suggest a degree of flexibility in daily scheduling, provided project deadlines and client needs are met. Expect occasional travel (10% or less) for client meetings or company events.

📝 Enhancement Note: The emphasis on remote work and flexibility is a significant aspect of this role. Candidates should be comfortable with virtual collaboration and self-management, while also being prepared for occasional travel.

📄 Application & Portfolio Review Process

Interview Process:

• Initial Screening: A review of your resume and application, focusing on experience in distribution design, leadership, and client management.

• Technical & Skills Assessment: Interviews may include technical questions related to distribution design standards (NESC, GO95, NEC), CAD proficiency, and problem-solving scenarios relevant to grid modernization.

• Leadership & Management Interview: Focus on your experience leading teams, developing talent, managing performance, and fostering a positive team culture.

• Client & Business Development Interview: Questions will assess your ability to build client relationships, create proposals, manage SOWs, and contribute to business growth.

• Portfolio Review: A dedicated session to walk through your portfolio, highlighting key projects, your specific contributions, leadership examples, and process improvement initiatives.

• Final Round/Leadership Interview: Discussion with senior leadership to assess cultural fit, strategic alignment, and overall suitability for the role.

Portfolio Review Tips:

• Highlight Impact: For each project, clearly articulate the challenge, your specific role and actions, the solutions implemented, and the measurable outcomes (e.g., efficiency gains, cost savings, client satisfaction scores, successful project completion).

• Showcase Leadership: Include examples of how you've led teams, mentored junior engineers, resolved conflicts, and fostered a collaborative environment.

• Demonstrate Process Improvement: Present case studies of how you've identified inefficiencies and implemented solutions, automation, or new processes to improve departmental performance.

• Quantify Achievements: Use data and metrics whenever possible to demonstrate the impact of your work. For example, "Reduced design cycle time by 15% through implementation of new CAD workflows."

• Tailor to EPE: Research EPE's current projects, values, and technological focus. Frame your portfolio examples to align with their mission of designing the "grid of the future" and their use of "advanced energy intelligence."

Challenge Preparation:

• Case Study: Be prepared for a potential case study or scenario-based question that requires you to outline a plan for managing a complex distribution design project, developing a new team member, or responding to a challenging client request. Focus on your strategic thinking, problem-solving approach, and communication skills.

• Process Optimization Scenario: You might be asked to propose improvements for an existing design process or suggest how to integrate new technology into the workflow.

📝 Enhancement Note: The interview process will likely assess not only technical acumen but also strong leadership, client-facing skills, and a strategic, operations-oriented mindset. A well-prepared portfolio is crucial for demonstrating these capabilities.

🛠 Tools & Technology Stack

Primary Tools:

• CAD Software: Proficiency in industry-standard CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation) is essential for performing and overseeing distribution designs.

• Distribution Design Software: Familiarity with specialized software for electrical distribution system design and analysis (e.g., ETAP, CYME, DNV GL tools) is highly beneficial.

• Project Management Software: Experience with tools like Microsoft Project, Asana, Jira, or EPE's internal PMO tools for tracking scope, schedules, and budgets.

Analytics & Reporting:

• Data Analysis Tools: Ability to interpret data from designs and project performance metrics.

• Reporting Tools: Experience generating reports on project status, team performance, and client engagement.

CRM & Automation:

• CRM Systems: While not explicitly sales, managing client relationships will likely involve some CRM functionality or similar client management tools.

• Automation Software: Familiarity with or ability to implement automation tools and techniques to streamline design processes, improve efficiency, and enhance technical resource capabilities.

• Collaboration Platforms: Proficiency with virtual collaboration tools such as Microsoft Teams, Zoom, Slack, and shared document repositories (e.g., SharePoint, Google Drive).

📝 Enhancement Note: The mention of "automation" and "streamlined processes" suggests that familiarity with or a proactive approach to adopting new technologies that enhance operational efficiency will be highly valued.

👥 Team Culture & Values

Operations Values:

• Innovation & Forward Thinking: A commitment to designing the "grid of the future" and leveraging "advanced energy intelligence" implies a culture that embraces new ideas and technological advancements.

• Excellence & Quality: Driving a "quality control process" and ensuring the "highest level of quality in all deliverables" highlights a dedication to high standards and client satisfaction.

• Collaboration & Teamwork: Fostering a team environment through training, coaching, and proactive participation in leadership suggests a collaborative ethos.

• Client Focus & Partnership: Building and maintaining strong client relationships is central to the company's business model.

• Continuous Improvement: The emphasis on developing "streamlined processes and tools" and fostering "creative problem solving" points to a culture that values ongoing enhancement of operations.

Collaboration Style:

• Cross-Functional Integration: Expect to collaborate closely with project managers, other engineering disciplines, and potentially software development teams.

• Leadership Team Synergy: Proactive participation in the leadership team requires open communication, strategic input, and alignment with departmental goals.

• Client Engagement: A consultative and partnership-oriented approach to client interactions is essential for business development and relationship building.

• Mentorship & Knowledge Sharing: A culture that encourages developing talent and sharing expertise is implied by the focus on training and nurturing engineering talent.

📝 Enhancement Note: EPE's culture appears to be a blend of deep technical expertise, a commitment to innovation in the energy sector, and a strong client-centric approach. The emphasis on developing talent and improving processes suggests a supportive yet results-oriented environment.

⚡ Challenges & Growth Opportunities

Challenges:

• Balancing Technical Depth with Management: Effectively overseeing complex distribution designs while also managing a team, client relationships, and business development responsibilities.

• Driving Innovation & Automation: Implementing new processes and technologies within a potentially established engineering team, requiring change management and buy-in.

• Managing Diverse Client Needs: Juggling the varying requirements, expectations, and project complexities of different utility clients.

• Forecasting & Resource Planning: Accurately predicting workload and ensuring adequate staffing to meet project demands and growth targets.

• Remote Team Management: Effectively leading and motivating a team that may be geographically dispersed, ensuring consistent performance and engagement.

Learning & Development Opportunities:

• Advanced Grid Technologies: Gaining deeper expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy integration, smart grid technologies, and energy storage solutions.

• Leadership & Management Skills: Developing advanced leadership, strategic planning, and business development capabilities.

• Process Optimization & Automation: Learning and implementing cutting-edge techniques for optimizing engineering workflows and leveraging automation.

• Industry Influence: Contributing to the development of the "grid of the future" and gaining recognition as a leader in the energy consulting space.

• Client Relationship Acumen: Enhancing skills in strategic account management and long-term partnership development.

📝 Enhancement Note: This role offers significant opportunities for professional growth within a dynamic and critical industry. The challenges are typical for a management position in a technical field, providing ample scope for skill development.

💡 Interview Preparation

Strategy Questions:

• Leadership Philosophy: "Describe your approach to leading and developing engineering teams. How do you foster talent and ensure high performance?" (Prepare examples of coaching, performance reviews, and team-building initiatives.)

• Client Management & Business Development: "How do you approach building and maintaining strong relationships with utility clients? Describe a time you successfully contributed to winning new business through proposal development or client engagement." (Focus on your understanding of client needs and your ability to articulate value.)

• Process Improvement: "Tell me about a time you identified an inefficiency in a design process and implemented a solution or automation to improve it. What was the impact?" (Be ready to discuss your methodology for process analysis and improvement.)

• Technical & Standards Adherence: "How do you ensure your team consistently adheres to critical industry standards like NESC, GO95, and NEC in their designs?" (Discuss quality control, training, and review processes.)

Company & Culture Questions:

• EPE's Mission: "What interests you about EPE's mission to design the 'grid of the future' and our focus on 'advanced energy intelligence'?" (Research their website and recent projects; connect your passion and experience to their goals.)

• Remote Work Culture: "How do you ensure effective collaboration and team cohesion within a remote or hybrid work environment?" (Highlight your experience with virtual communication tools and strategies for remote team engagement.)

• Problem-Solving: "Describe a complex technical or team challenge you faced in distribution design and how you resolved it." (Use the STAR method to structure your answer, focusing on your analytical and problem-solving skills.)

Portfolio Presentation Strategy:

• Structure Your Narrative: For each portfolio piece, clearly outline the problem, your role, the actions taken, the results achieved (quantified where possible), and any lessons learned.

• Emphasize Leadership & Operations: Beyond the technical design, highlight instances of team leadership, process improvements, client management, and contributions to business objectives.

• Tailor to EPE: Connect your experience and projects to EPE's specific focus areas like grid modernization, renewables, and energy intelligence.

• Be Ready for Deep Dives: Anticipate questions about your design choices, project management decisions, and team dynamics.

📝 Enhancement Note: Preparation should focus on demonstrating not just technical expertise but also strong leadership, strategic thinking, and a proactive, operations-minded approach to managing teams and client relationships.

📌 Application Steps

To apply for this Distribution Design Manager position:

• Submit your application: Follow the link provided to submit your resume and any requested supplementary materials through EPE's Applicant Tracking System (ATS).

• Curate Your Resume: Tailor your resume to highlight the specific keywords and responsibilities mentioned in this job description, such as "Distribution Design," "Team Leadership," "Client Relationship Management," "RFP/SOW Development," "NESC," "GO95," "NEC," and "Professional Engineering License." Quantify your achievements wherever possible.

• Prepare Your Portfolio: Assemble a portfolio that showcases your most relevant distribution design projects, leadership experiences, and process improvement initiatives. Be ready to discuss these in detail during interviews.

• Research EPE: Thoroughly research Electric Power Engineers, its mission, services, recent projects, and company culture to articulate your interest and align your experience with their objectives.

• Practice Interview Responses: Prepare for behavioral, technical, and situational interview questions, focusing on demonstrating your leadership, problem-solving, and client management skills. Practice presenting your portfolio effectively.

⚠️ Important Notice: This enhanced job description includes AI-generated insights and operations industry-standard assumptions. All details should be verified directly with the hiring organization before making application decisions.