Director - Substations

At Baker Electric we are energized by truly living our values - Team Builders, Relentless Follow Through, All-In, and Care for Others. When our team members work together with these things in mind, we do great things both individually and as an organization. Being an employee-owned company shows our drive for sustainable, long-term growth while enhancing the lives of our team members.

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)

At Baker, we are proud to be an employee-owned company. When you join, you will have the opportunity for a great career and the financial benefits of being an owner. Through our ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan), eligible employees can become part owners of the company. Instead of just receiving a paycheck, you will be given shares of the company's stock over time. As the company prospers, the value of these shares can increase, providing you with a potential wealth-building opportunity in addition to a competitive compensation package. The ESOP will enable you to share the company's success and growth. For more information regarding employee ownership at Baker Electric and its significant potential, click here:

Employee Stock Ownership Program | Baker Electric (baker-electric.com)

PAY TRANSPARENCY:
The starting salary for this opportunity range is listed. Other rewards may include annual bonus eligibility based on company and individual performance, short- and long-term incentives, and program-specific awards. Baker provides a variety of benefits to employees, including health insurance coverage, an employee wellness program, life and disability insurance, a retirement savings plan, an Employee-Owned Program (ESOP), paid holidays, and paid time off (PTO). A candidate's salary history will not be used in compensation decisions. Please note that the compensation information is a good-faith estimate for this position. It assumes a rate based on location and experience.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS:

Baker Electric is an Equal Opportunity-Affirmative Action Employer / Disability / Veteran.

We thank all applicants in advance for their interest in this position; however, only those selected for an interview will be contacted. If you are selected for an interview, a Baker Recruiter will contact you directly from our organization with a @baker-electric.com email.