Executive Switchgear Engineer Jobs in Riverside, CA

SUMMARY: The Director of Substations is a senior leadership role responsible for the strategic, operational, and financial performance of substation and high-voltage construction projects. This position leads engineering, construction, and commissioning teams to deliver complex transmission and substation infrastructure safely, on time, and within budget. At Baker Electric, this role plays a critical part in delivering complex electrical construction projects across energy, infrastructure, and commercial markets, requiring a leader who can effectively connect field execution, engineering expertise, and client relationships to drive successful outcomes.

Key Responsibilities:

Leadership & Organizational Management

• Lead and develop a high-performing team of project managers, project engineers, superintendents, and field personnel
• Establish a culture of safety, accountability, and operational excellence
• Mentor emerging leaders and build succession pipelines across substation operations
• Drive collaboration across engineering, procurement, construction (EPC), and executive leadership

Project & Construction Oversight

• Oversee full lifecycle delivery of substation and transmission construction projects (typically 12kV–230kV)
• Ensure projects meet schedule, budget, quality, and contractual requirements
• Manage project controls, including cost forecasting, risk mitigation, and resource planning
• Prefabrication efforts and oversight
• Oversee self-performed and subcontracted work, including union labor coordination (IBEW)

Technical & Operational Excellence

• Provide executive-level oversight of:
• Substation design (physical, protection & control)
• High-voltage equipment installation (transformers, breakers, switchgear)
• Commissioning and energization

• Ensure compliance with:
• OSHA, NERC, IEEE, and client-specific standards
• Promote innovation (digital substations, automation, modular construction)

Financial & P&L Accountability

• Own P&L for substation business unit or region
• Drive revenue growth, margin improvement, and cost control
• Approve bids, estimates, and major procurement decisions
• Monitor KPIs such as:
• Gross margin
• Labor productivity
• Change order capture

Client & Business Development

• Build and maintain relationships with:
• Utilities (IOUs, munis, co-ops)
• Developers (renewables, data centers)
• Engineering firms
• General contractors and EPC partners
• Support pursuit strategy, proposals, and interviews
• Identify new markets (renewables, grid modernization, battery storage)

Safety & Compliance Leadership

• Champion a zero-incident safety culture
• Ensure adherence to all regulatory, environmental, and company standards
• Lead incident investigations and corrective actions

Qualifications:

Required

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, or related field
• 10–20+ years of experience in:
• Substation construction / engineering
• Electrical contracting (utility-scale preferred)
• 5–10+ years in senior leadership (Director / Sr. Manager level)
• Deep expertise in:
• High-voltage systems (69kV–500kV+)
• EPC project delivery models
• Union labor environments (IBEW preferred)