Director, Testing and Commissioning

Requisition ID # 167834 

Job Category: Maintenance / Construction / Operations 

Job Level: Director/Chief

Business Unit: Electric Engineering

Work Type: Hybrid

Job Location: Flexible - Possible Locations; Fresno, Sacramento, Bay Area

Position Summary

The Director, Testing and Commissioning leads teams of employees directly or indirectly involved in testing and commissioning protection and control systems in the service territory as it relates to the transmission lines or (T&D) substations. Incumbents ensure correct maintenance and construction practices for protection and control equipment. Supervisors and Superintendents oversee teams working on projects within a specific region or may be assigned to teams working on larger, complex general projects throughout the service territory. The leaders provide safe and reliable electric service while maintaining NERC compliance with all regulatory bodies and all safety regulations. Leadership oversees protection system, the testing of the system, and the associated documentation to meet compliance. The leaders fully implement and hold subordinates accountable for safety best practices and adherence to the safety accountability model. 

This position is hybrid, working from your remote office and your assigned work location based on business need. The assigned work location will be within the PG&E Service Territory.

Reporting

 This position reports to the Sr. Director, T&S Engineering & Test.

Job Responsibilities 

• Lead and manage multidisciplinary teams responsible for testing, commissioning, and automation of substation protection and control systems.
• Develop, implement, and optimize testing and commissioning strategies, procedures, and schedules to meet project milestones and quality standards.
• Drive adoption of automation standards including IEC 61850 across substation assets.
• Oversee safety policies and accountability measures to maintain compliance with regulatory standards including NERC-CIP and FERC.
• Manage large capital and operating expense budgets for testing and commissioning activities ensuring cost controls and operational efficiency.
• Oversee technical documentation, quality assurance, and compliance reporting aligned with utility and regulatory requirements.
• Lead training and talent development programs aligned with automation and safety initiatives.
• Interface with internal stakeholders, contractors, vendors, and regulators to ensure project alignment and successful commissioning outcomes.
• Provide leadership during complex field operations and emergency response planning.
• Manage telecommunications testing systems including fiber optics, field area networks, and point-to-point communication infrastructure. 

Background Qualifications

Minimum

• Bachelor’s Degree in Engineering, Business Management, or Project Management or related degree or equivalent related experience
• 12 years of experience in the electric utility industry, including at least 7 years’ experience in protection, control testing, commissioning, or closely related operations.
• 7 years’ experience in leadership.

Desired 

• 20 years of experience in electric utility industry; including past experience in planning, design, or operation of T&S systems
• Experience in oversight of testing and commissioning of substations

• Master’s in Engineering, Computer Science or job-related technical discipline
• Experience working with unionized workforces and managing collective bargaining agreements beneficial.
• Demonstrated success in managing large capital projects and organizational talent, with experience in projects and organizations of significant scale.
• Proven track record in developing and executing talent strategies, safety cultures, and compliance programs within large technical organizations.
• Successful oversight and leadership of NERC-CIP and other compliance standards. Familiarity with regulatory environments including federal, state, and regional entities (NERC, FERC, CAISO).
• Strong analytical, communication, and leadership skills required to manage large teams (up to 500 employees) including engineers, technicians, and field staff.
• Ability to lead cross-discipline collaboration and foster a high-performance and inclusive culture. 
• P.E. License
• Project Management Professional (PMP)
• NETA Certified Technician (Level III/IV) and/or NICET Electrical Power Testing Certification
• Certified Utility Safety Professional (CUSP) and/or Certified Electrical Safety Compliance Professional (CESCP)
• Certified Power Systems Professional (CPSP)

Leadership Qualities

PG&E expects its leaders to conduct themselves with the highest ethics and integrity and to embody specific leadership qualities.

Strategic Mindset

• Sees ahead to future possibilities and translates them into breakthrough strategies.
• Operates effectively, even when things are not certain, or the way forward is not clear.

A Leader in the Community and Industry

• Effectively builds formal and informal relationship networks inside and outside the organization.
• Anticipates and balances the needs of multiple stakeholders.

Demonstrates Safety Leadership

• A safety champion in words and deeds with respect to both employee and public safety.
• Creating and maintaining a speak up culture free of retaliation.

Influences and Inspires

• Using various- communications that convey a clear understanding of the needs of different audiences.
• Maneuvering comfortably through complex policy, process, and people-related dynamics.

Optimizes Team Performance

• Building teams with a strong identity that apply their diverse skills and perspectives to achieve common goals.
• Creating a climate where people are developed and motivated to do their best to help the organization.

Values Inclusion and Respects Individual Differences

• Recognizing the value that different perspectives and cultures bring to an organization.

Fiscally Responsible

• Interpreting and applying understanding of key financial indicators to make better business decisions.
• Planning and prioritizing work to meet commitments aligned with organizational goals.

Leads Ethically and in a Compliant Manner

• Sponsoring and sustaining a high integrity speak-up corporate culture which prioritizes safety, compliance, and ethics.
• Building on necessary level of industry, company, and subject-matter expertise, including laws and regulations.

Provides a High Level of Customer Service

• Building strong customer relationships and delivering hometown, customer-centric solutions.

Compensation

PG&E is providing the salary range that the company in good faith believes it might pay for this position at the time of the job posting. This compensation range is specific to the locality of the job. The actual salary paid to an individual will be based on multiple factors, including, but not limited to, specific skills, education, licenses or certifications, experience, market value, geographic location, and internal equity. 

We estimate the successful candidate hired into this role will be placed within this reasonable compensation range (Bay Area range: $196,000 to $283,000; CA range: $187,000 to $270,000.)  The decision will be made on a case-by-case basis based on the factors listed a.  This leadership role is also eligible for an annual Short Term Incentive Plan (STIP) award, as well as the Long-Term Incentive Plan (LTIP) award.