Engineering Manager

SouthEastern Illinois Electric Cooperative, Inc. is seeking a highly skilled and mission‑driven Engineering Manager to lead our engineering department and support the safe, reliable, and innovative delivery of electric service to our members. This is a key leadership role responsible for system planning, engineering design, technical oversight, and long‑term infrastructure strategy.

Position Overview

The Engineering Manager oversees all engineering functions related to the construction, operation, and maintenance of the cooperative’s electric distribution system.  This role provides technical leadership, supervises engineering staff, manages major capital projects, and ensures compliance with industry standards, regulations, and cooperative policies. The ideal candidate combines strong engineering expertise with proven leadership and a commitment to cooperative values.

Essential Duties & Responsibilities

• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers, technicians, and support personnel
• Direct system planning activities, including load forecasting, capacity analysis, and long‑range work plans
• Oversee the design and construction of distribution lines, substations, protective devices, and system upgrades
• Manage engineering budgets, capital project schedules, and contractor performance
• Ensure compliance with RUS specifications, NESC requirements, state and federal regulations, and cooperative standards
• Maintain and improve system modeling, GIS, AMI, and other engineering technologies
• Coordinate with Operations on switching, outage analysis, reliability improvements, and system maintenance
• Support grid modernization initiatives, including automation, distributed energy resources, and resiliency planning
• Prepare engineering reports, cost estimates, technical studies, and board‑level presentations
• Serve as a technical resource for internal departments and external stakeholders
• Promote a culture of safety, accountability, and continuous improvement

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• Minimum 5 years of electric utility engineering experience, preferably in distribution systems
• Demonstrated leadership or supervisory experience
• Strong knowledge of distribution system design, protection, construction standards, and reliability metrics
• Preferred proficiency with engineering software such as Milsoft, WindMil, CYME or similar modeling tools
• Excellent communication, analytical, and project management skills
• Knowledge of GIS, OMS, AMI, and system automation technologies preferred
• Understanding of distributed generation interconnection and renewable energy impacts preferred

What We Offer

·      Health Insurance

·      Health Savings Account

·      Group Term Life Insurance

·      401k Matching

·      Defined Benefit Retirement Plan

·      Paid Time Off Includes Vacation, Sick Time and Family Sick Time

·      Eleven Paid Holidays

·      AirEvac Membership

·      Gym Membership – Conditional

About Our Area

SouthEastern Illinois is more than just a place to work; it’s a place to build a life. Our service territory offers the best of small-town living with easy access to outdoor recreation, excellent schools, and a strong sense of community. Residents enjoy a lower cost of living, short commute times, and the natural beauty of Southern Illinois, including nearby lakes, hiking trails, wineries, hunting and fishing opportunities, and the renowned Shawnee National Forest.

Whether you prefer spending weekends on the water, exploring the outdoors, or raising a family in a close-knit community, this region offers a quality of life that’s hard to match. Convenient access to larger regional hubs such as St. Louis, Nashville, and Evansville also provides additional entertainment, travel, and cultural opportunities while allowing you to enjoy the pace and affordability of rural living.  

How to Apply

To apply for this position, please email your cover letter, resume and at least 3 professional references or letters of recommendation to: stefanietripp@seiec.com The cover letter should address your skills and qualifications for success in this role.    An Equal Opportunity Employer.

•     Salary Range $134K - $175K (Commensurate on Qualifications and Experience)