Electrical Engineering Manager

DREMC is seeking an Electrical Engineering Manager.

BE A PART OF POWERING MIDDLE TENNESSEE!

Be a part of powering Middle Tennessee! Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC) is a member-owned electric cooperative, serving an area of approximately 2,500 square miles across 17 counties in southern middle Tennessee. Our amazing team at DREMC distributes safe and reliable electricity at the lowest possible cost, promotes and facilitates economic development, and enhances the quality of life over 85,000 members across 6,500 miles of line.

Location: 

• Shelbyville, TN (partial remote work opportunities after 6 months)

Job purpose:
The Electrical Engineering Manager leads the engineering department in planning, designing, and implementing projects to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective electric service to the members of Duck River Electric Membership Corporation (DREMC). This position is responsible for supervising engineering staff, managing substation, distribution, and system improvement projects, performing system studies, and aligning engineering practices with cooperative goals. The Electrical Engineering Manager serves as a key technical expert and ensures compliance with applicable codes, safety standards, and regulations.

Job dimensions:

Internal Responsibilities – Directly supervises engineers and technical personnel involved in system planning, design, protection, and support. Coordinates closely with operations, safety, and IT departments to ensure engineering work supports field operations and strategic initiatives. Oversee the preparation of work plans, technical studies, feasibility assessments, and system impact analyses. Promotes a safety-first culture by ensuring all engineering activities support DREMC’s safety goals and standards.

External Responsibilities – Supports DREMC efforts with the State of Tennessee, the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), National Electrical Safety Code, auditors, builders, members, and consultants, as necessary.  Coordinates and collaborates with the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA), contractors, vendors, consultants, and regulatory bodies. Ensures timely responses to external inquiries from members, developers, builders, and governmental agencies. Represents DREMC in technical discussions and planning efforts with peer cooperatives, municipalities, and stakeholders. 

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES

1. Lead and manage the engineering team in the development and execution of construction work plans, long-range system planning, and technical studies.
2. Oversee design, construction, and commissioning of substations, circuit upgrades, sectionalizing schemes, and major service projects.
3. Manage electrical service designs for commercial and industrial members, ensuring compliance with all applicable standards including TVA, NESC, NEC, and DREMC standards.
4. Review engineering analysis related to line extensions, cost studies, protection coordination, and voltage support.
5. Approve system modifications, protection settings, and service upgrades as necessary, coordinating with field personnel and management.
6. Respond to high-level member concerns and technical complaints, including voltage issues and service reliability.
7. Lead emergency response engineering activities, including damage assessments and system restoration efforts.
8. Guide the implementation of engineering software tools, data integration, and digital mapping systems to enhance department efficiency.
9. Provide mentorship and performance evaluations for engineering staff; identify training needs and support professional development.
10. Ensure regulatory and environmental compliance in all engineering projects and maintain proper documentation for audits or inspections.
11. Serve as liaison with TVA and other external agencies for coordination of substation relay settings, transmission interconnection, and reliability improvement.
12. Support budgeting and financial planning for engineering-related capital projects.
13. Be able to develop system work plan recommendations and support technical studies involving major service projects, system improvements, conversion projects, sectionalizing and substation improvements.
14. Analyzes line extension construction costs, rate structure, and other factors affecting variable and fixed costs to determine operating margins, amortization terms, supplemental line charts, deposits, facilities rental charges, special billing demands, and monthly minimum billing provisions.
15. Reviews communications, plans, drawings and other data received from architects and/or consulting engineers relating to electrical service inquiries, and develops appropriate technical data from field investigations, surveys, calculations and other necessary activities to properly respond and comply with requested information.
16. Advises contract electricians and/or consumer/members regarding short circuit current available at the Cooperative’s point of delivery, when requested for large industrial and commercial jobs, other more general requests required in conformity with all relevant procedures, specifications, and applicable codes, regulations, compliance rules and standards.
17. Investigates unusual consumer complaints, circuit voltage complaints and other problems requiring technical assistance.
18. Develops and maintains a thorough working knowledge of the entire DREMC system.
19. Directs construction of substation switch structures, fencing, grading and other general site development, and coordinated/schedules related activities necessary.
20. Approves system protection and sectionalizing changes upon request of and consultation with district personnel, where deemed necessary and technically compatible for coordination with overall circuit/substation protection, subject to the approval/authorization of the Director of Engineering.
21. Develop substation relays setting change recommendation for coordinating with TVA source-side relay changes, or DREMC load-side circuit sectionalizing changes.
22. Provide support for system operations, as needed.
23. Supports DRMEC economic development and industrial recruitment efforts by working closely with DREMC economic development personnel and appropriate external economic development entities.
24. Emergency Response Coverage, as needed.

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS

Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (Power Option preferred) from an accredited program required.  Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering is desirable.

Experience: Minimum seven (7) years’ progressive experience in electric utility engineering, including system design, substation projects, or distribution planning.  At least three (3) years of leadership or supervisory experience are preferred.

Certification/License, etc.: Valid Tennessee Driver’s License or ability to obtain Tennessee driver’s license prior to first day of employment. Must be eligible and remain insured as a driver by the Cooperative’s group liability policy for the automotive fleet.  A Professional Engineer (PE) license is desirable.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities: Proficient in electric utility engineering software (e.g., Windmill, CYME, or similar).  Advanced knowledge of electrical codes (NESC, NEC), safety standards, and utility operations.  Strong leadership, communication, and organizational skills. Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite and project management tools. Ability to interpret schematics, electrical diagrams, GIS maps, and load data. Candidate must be proficient in Microsoft Office Suite.

Physical Requirements: Prolonged periods of sitting or standing while working on a computer or attending meetings. Occasional walking, bending, kneeling, or lifting (up to 25 pounds) in field or warehouse environments. Visual acuity to review technical documents, maps, and system plans. Field visits to substations or construction sites require traversing uneven terrain. Ability to safely operate a vehicle for travel between districts and job sites.

Work Environment: Work is primarily performed in a standard office setting with frequent field visits to electrical substations, construction sites, or other outdoor locations. Exposure to varying weather conditions during fieldwork, including heat, cold, rain, and wind. May occasionally work near energized equipment or high-voltage areas; appropriate personal protective equipment (PPE) is required. May be required to work outside of normal business hours, including evenings or weekends, in response to outages, emergencies, or project deadlines. Must be comfortable working independently and in teams, including coordination with engineers, line crews, contractors, and members.  Team-oriented work culture with collaboration across engineering, operations, and district teams.

EEOC: 102-First/Mid-Level | Supervisory | Pay Grade: 16 | Exempt | No Residency Requirement

Position Description Effective Date: November 2025

BENEFITS: DREMC provides a comprehensive program of employee benefits, including group medical, dental, vision, employer-sponsored medical clinic, life and long-term disability insurance programs, defined benefit retirement and 401K savings plans, tuition reimbursement, and partial remote work opportunities.

Qualified candidates should apply at www.dremc.com under careers. Candidates must submit a cover letter, resume and complete application form to be considered.

DREMC does not accept resumes from third-party recruiters.

Equal Opportunity Employer EOE/AA M/F/D/V