Technical Engineering Manager

Technical Engineering Manager

Work Location: Negotiable within Montana Service Territories, Butte MT Preferred

Pay range: $117,600 to $190,000 per year

Employment Status: Regular Full-time

External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com

Internal candidates apply through iConnect.

About this position:

The manager of Technical Utility Engineering will lead a team of engineers responsible for the planning, design, and management of the technical aspects of utility infrastructure initiatives, electricity, and gas systems to ensure long term asset strategies are fulfilled. This role involves overseeing the technical aspects of utility operations by supporting the operations/construction engineers, ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations, and managing technical aspects of projects to ensure optimization of utility services. The ideal candidate will have strong leadership abilities, technical expertise in utility systems, and a focus on improving the efficiency and reliability of utility infrastructure. This role involves responsibility for the operations and budget of the Gas and electric Asset Management team as well as developing the yearly capital and expense needs for the system in accordance with the company's overall risk threshold. Responsible for leading companywide initiatives which support the company's long-term strategies. Ensures the quality, effectiveness and consistency with regulatory and company standards. Maintains effective working relationships with internal and external stakeholders and facilitates stakeholder processes for determining future system improvements.

We offer great benefits:

NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,600 amazing people and serve over 800,000 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:

- 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%

- Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)

- Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)

- Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)

- Tuition reimbursement

- Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)

- Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities

- Paid parental leave

- Paid bereavement leave

- Paid training opportunities

- Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job:

- All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics

- Ensure self and others actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives

- Demonstrates leadership consistent with NorthWestern Energy's code, values, policies, processes and controls

- Utilizes effective management practices to maintain employee engagement and productivity

- Effectively manages budget, ensuring proper cost controls

- Leads special projects as required utilizing effective change and project management techniques

- Effectively manages budget, ensuring proper cost controls

- Leads special projects as required utilizing effective change and project management techniques

- Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers and technical staff in the utility engineering department.

- Provide technical guidance and support to team members across the design, implementation, and maintenance of utility systems.

- Conduct performance reviews, establish goals, and foster professional development within the team.

- Plan, organize, and oversee utility engineering initiatives, ensuring adherence to schedules, budgets, and specifications.

- Ensure initiatives meet regulatory requirements, technical standards, and quality expectations.

- Allocate resources effectively to meet initiatives milestones and objectives.

- Manage the coordination of utility infrastructure design, installation, testing, and commissioning.

- Monitor the progress of multiple initiatives and address any issues that may arise.

- Provide technical oversight for the design, maintenance, and optimization of utility systems, including power distribution, and gas networks.

- Lead efforts to evaluate and adopt new technologies to enhance the efficiency, sustainability, and safety of utility systems.

- Ensure that all engineering solutions meet safety, environmental, and industry standards.

- Troubleshoot and resolve complex technical issues related to utility systems.

- Collaborate with other departments (operations, maintenance, planning, etc.) to ensure seamless integration of utility systems with other infrastructure projects.

- Coordinate with external vendors, contractors, regulatory bodies, and utility providers.

- Communicate technical details and progress reports to senior management and key stakeholders.

- Serve as a primary point of contact for technical inquiries related to utility engineering.

- Ensure that all engineering activities comply with local, state, and federal regulations.

- Keep abreast of changes in utility regulations and industry standards, ensuring that the company remains compliant.

- Prepare and submit necessary documentation for permitting, inspections, and regulatory reviews.

- Enforce safety protocols and industry best practices within the engineering team and across utility operations.

- Lead risk management initiatives, identifying potential hazards and implementing measures to mitigate risks.

- Monitor the safety of utility systems and take action to correct unsafe conditions.

- Manage budgets for utility engineering projects, ensuring efficient use of resources and cost control.

- Provide detailed financial forecasts and progress reports to senior leadership.

- Optimize resource allocation to ensure timely and efficient project delivery.

- Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, and system enhancements in utility operations.

- Implement and promote the adoption of best practices, including the use of new technologies to improve utility services.

Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:

- A Bachelor's Degree in Engineering

- A minimum of three years of responsible leadership experiences

- prior experience in management or supervisory positions preferred

- P.E. License or ability preferred (within one year)

- Knowledge of the functions, operation and mission of the gas/electric distribution system

- Strong leadership skills including interpersonal communication skills

- Demonstrated ability to lead and develop a department and department staff members.

- Excellent computer skills in a Microsoft Windows environment.

- Evidence of the ability to practice a high level of confidentiality.

- Excellent organizational management skills.

- Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record

- Identify opportunities for process improvements, cost reduction, and system enhancements in utility operations.

- Implement and promote the adoption of best practices, including the use of new technologies to improve utility services.

- In-depth knowledge of utility engineering principles, including regulatory standards, safety protocols, and best practices.

- Strong project management skills, with experience in delivering projects on time and within budget.

- Excellent leadership, communication, and interpersonal skills.

- Strong problem-solving and decision-making abilities.

- Proficiency in engineering software, design tools, and project management software.

- Analyzes data for trends to identify future requirements for the gas/electric systems

- Responsible for 1, 3 and 10 years capital and operations infrastructure requirements and work closely with finance to identify the impacts of the funding requirements

- Required to monitor future changes in codes and standards and ensure the integration of these changes into our long term planning process

- Responsible for Distribution Grid Modernization

Requisition #4654

Posting Dates: September 2, 2025 through September 16, 2025

Department/Division: Asset Management

Employment Physical: Not Required

Drug Test: Required

Background Check: Required

Relocation Benefit: Negotiable

Telecommuting: None

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com.