Senior Technical Manager, Electrical Engineer

Senior Technical Manager, Electrical Engineer

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Technical Manager, Electrical Engineer for our San Francisco or Sacramento, CA office. The candidate will be involved in projects with our Transportation Sector Mechanical & Electrical Team and help meet client objectives and solve their challenges.

Opportunity

Provides high‑level technical assistance and guidance for multi‑site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects in the public and private sector.

Tasks include research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, regulation, renewable energy, protection and control systems in a variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and federal, state, and local government projects).

Substantiates reports and documentation to advise on material, installations, design, component, and construction specifications, ensuring the work meets or exceeds industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Major Duties and Responsibilities

• Acts as staff specialist in providing technical guidance for complex or unique assignments. Applies diversified engineering principles and independently makes decisions on significant problems.
• May direct segments of a major project and participate in the application of engineering concepts and techniques.
• Analyzes complex problems requiring development of new or improved techniques or procedures.
• Monitors project progress for technical accuracy and adherence to schedule and budget.
• May act as a representative at project meetings and conferences.
• May plan, organize, and supervise engineering staff and activities for a significant‑size project.
• Make recommendations on project staffing.
• Perform design tasks requiring independent judgment in evaluating, selecting, and adapting standard techniques and procedures.
• Ensure that specifications, reports and analyses meet scope, schedule, cost and quality requirements.
• Electrical calculations: loads, equipment sizing, feeder sizing, load flow, voltage drop, short circuit, selective coordination, arc flash.
• Lighting design: calculations, circuiting and controls.
• Facility electrical service and power distribution design for 480/277, 120/208, and 120/240 V classifications.
• Medium‑voltage knowledge and grounding design and calculations.
• MCC design: layouts, sizing, motor starter selection.
• Standby and emergency power system design including generator and UPS.
• Coordinate with other design disciplines (architectural, mechanical, systems, civil, geotechnical, etc.).
• May serve as a PM on some projects.

Detailed Job Duties And Responsibilities

• Coordinate, review, and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for smaller projects, ensuring compliance with all codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Apply high‑level electrical engineering techniques to identify improvements across all project phases.
• Perform complex engineering work related to single‑line, three‑line, wiring diagrams, general arrangement, substation layout, grounding grid design, and lightning protection.
• Plan and incorporate future‑ready techniques and operating strategies with equipment sizing, panel design, and conduit/trenching design.
• Review calculations for loads, grounding potentials, short‑circuit study, protective device coordination, relaying, and substation switchyard layouts.
• Develop and review plans, specifications, cost estimates, construction safety and phasing plans, and coordination with owners, sub‑consultants, and clients.
• Manage end‑to‑end design and construction of electrical infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation, reconstruction, site development, grading, drainage, equipment layouts, elevations, specifications, and construction safety plans.
• Oversee cross‑functional teams, track budgets, hours, and expenses, ensure compliance documentation, and prepare regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Prepare data visualizations: tables, charts, sketches, calculations, cross‑sections, and illustrations.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations explaining research, findings, concepts, and recommendations.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data from field investigations, develop risk mitigation plans.
• Prepare and implement Site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients professionally.
• Collaborate with engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on federally, state‑, regional‑, and locally funded projects and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company resources and conduct, adhering to WSP’s Code of Conduct.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 10+ years of post‑education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Engineer license required.
• Highly proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, design/build, and permitting.
• Highly proficient with infrastructure design and planning, design, and construction management; experience working with adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, SCADA, and telecom.
• Strong knowledge of engineering and electrical construction laws, codes (NFPA 70‑NEC, NFPA 130, NFPA 101) and compliance practices.
• Proficient with technical computations and calculations involving engineering principles and applicable regulations.
• Experience with inspections and investigations on construction and design of facilities or structures.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills; ability to express complex ideas clearly to engineering and non‑engineering audiences.
• Strong self‑leadership and ability to effectively interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels.
• Works independently, providing guidance and leadership to mid‑level to senior‑level teams, adhering to QA/QC.
• Proficiency with technical writing and discipline‑specific design software (CADD, ETAP, SKM, AutoCAD electrical).
• Experienced in providing critical review of documents and preparing highly complex technical deliverables.
• Well‑developed critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective coordination and direction of subcontractors, ensuring tasks are completed safely and efficiently.
• Track record of upholding workplace safety and abiding by WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Flexibility to various schedules and ability to prioritize responsibilities under pressure.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project requirements.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, retirement savings, paid sick leave, paid vacation, paid parental leave, and paid bereavement, voting, and naturalization leave.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $157,410 – $234,700. WSP USA reserves the right to offer additional benefits or compensation in good faith based on the applicant’s education, experience, and skills, while complying with applicable law.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. With over 15,000 employees in more than 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with clients in building, transportation, energy, water, and environment markets to design lasting solutions.

WSP provides a flexible, agile workplace model and is eager for employees who seek growth and knowledge.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race, Age, Color, Religion, Sex, Sexual Orientation, Gender Identity, National Origin, Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

Authorization

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice to Third‑Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services unless a signed Service Agreement is in place. Unsolicited resumes become the property of WSP and may be hired without compensation to the recruiter.