Lead Engineer, Distribution Planning

Date: Jan 29, 2026

Location: Houston, TX, US, 77034

Company: CenterPoint Energy

CenterPoint Energy and its predecessor companies have been in business for more than 150 years.

Our Vision: Our vision is to become the most admired utility in the United States through the execution of our long-term growth strategy. We have an unwavering commitment to safely and reliably deliver electricity and natural gas to millions of people.

Our Commitment: CenterPoint Energy is committed to creating an inclusive work environment where business results are achieved through the skills, abilities and talents of our diverse workforce.

At CenterPoint Energy, individuals are respected for their contributions toward our company objectives. We strive for an inclusive work environment across all levels that is reflective of the available workforce in the communities we serve.

Job Summary:

A Lead Engineer performs complex electric distribution planning projects and assists management with various assignments. This lead guides and trains engineers, technologists, and specialists responsible for engineering work such as developing models to perform engineering analysis to identify distribution system design criteria violation, creating design solutions, and justifying construction needs for Electric Operations’ overhead and underground electric distribution system. The lead engineer will give work assignments to engineering personnel responsible for creating and developing distribution development plans (D0DP), new load request studies, area studies for new distribution substations, and other assignments supporting the growth and reliability of the electric distribution system.

Essential Functions:

- Independently functions as a responsible leader of engineering projects and studies.

- Improves and enhances the engineering process and procedures.

- Identifies, develops, assigns and prioritizes projects or tasks to electric system design or operation.

- Supports the preparation of yearly capital and O&M budgets and monitors financial performance for respective area.

- Leads task forces, user groups, inter-utility work groups, and professional organizations.

- Coaches and develops employees including providing opportunities for employee development, supporting managers by providing constructive feedback for performance reviews, and oversees training of new employees to ensure each receives the appropriate training.

- Builds safety into the electric distribution system by ensuring design adherence to applicable internal standards and procedures, and ensures compliance with external code requirements (NESC, ANSI, ASTM, IEEE, ERCOT, NERC, etc.).

- Assists in the development and issuance of standards or design criteria to be used by CEHE.

- Works proactively with internal and external stakeholders and customers to identify opportunities to improve the reliability or operability of the electric system.

- Produces solid documentation including business cases, performance metrics, status reports, and create Engineering Bulletins as needed.

- Provides audit support by ensuring engineering information is accurate and by representing CEHE as a Subject Matter Expert, and provides expert testimony as needed for regulatory filings and other company business.

- Contribute to the forecasting and planning of new electrical infrastructure and land acquisition for new electrical facilities.

Education:

Requires a Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university.

Experience:

- Requires a minimum of five years electric utility or power engineering experience that includes performing engineering calculations and/or design.

- Requires knowledge and experience with CYME and Python.

- Requires a Professional Engineer (PE) license in the State of Texas.

- A minimum of three years of distribution planning experience preferred.

We want you to know

Being a part of the CenterPoint Energy team is more than a career alone. It's an opportunity to make a positive impact. You will be an integral part of enabling everyday life and the pursuit of possibilities for the customers we serve and the communities we share. The vital services we provide are at the core of making our world work, and by sharing your energy with us, we'll create a better tomorrow together.

What we bring to you

- Competitive pay

- Paid training

- Benefits eligibility begins on your first day

- Transit subsidies

- Flexible work schedule, paid holidays and paid time off

- Access to discounts at fitness clubs and an on-site wellness center at our headquarters in Houston

- Professional growth and development programs including tuition reimbursement

- 401(k) Savings Plan featuring a company match dollar-for-dollar up to 6% and a company contribution of 3% regardless of your contribution

Job Type: Full Time

Posting Start Date: 01/29/2026

Posting End Date: 02/12/2026

This contractor and subcontractor shall abide by the requirements of 41 CFR §§ 60-1.4(a), 60-300.5(a), and 60-741.5(a). These regulations prohibit discrimination against qualified individuals based on their status as protected veterans or individuals with disabilities and prohibit discrimination against all individuals based on their race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin. Moreover, these regulations require that covered prime contractors and subcontractors take affirmative action to employ and advance in employment individuals without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status or disability.

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Nearest Major Market: Houston