Vice President of Engineering
Company: Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative
Location: Vinita
Posted on: April 6, 2026
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Job Description:
Job Title: Vice President of Engineering Department: Executive
Areas of Responsibility: Engineering, System Planning, Electric
System Reliability, Capital Projects, and Engineering Standards &
Compliance Reports To: General Manager/CEO FLSA Status: Exempt
Safety Sensitive: Yes Summary The Vice President of Engineering
provides executive leadership and strategic direction for all
engineering functions of the Cooperative. This role is responsible
for planning and overseeing the design and long-term reliability of
a safe, cost-effective electric distribution system. This position
owns engineering design, system planning, standards, and capital
project prioritization. The VP of Engineering ensures that system
design and infrastructure planning support operational
effectiveness, safety, and long-term system performance. Standards
of Excellence All employees are expected to contribute to a culture
of excellence by: Professionally representing the cooperative and
BOLT with accurate knowledge and a positive attitude. Adapting to
change and actively supporting organizational initiatives.
Communicating clearly, respectfully, and consistently with members,
subscribers, and teammates. Managing responsibilities efficiently
and maintaining attention to detail. Making informed decisions
based on cooperative policies and subscriber service standards.
Practicing and promoting safety in all work environments.
Demonstrating ethical behavior and integrity at all times.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities Executive Leadership &
Strategy Provides executive leadership for all engineering
functions of the Cooperative. Develops and executes long-range
engineering strategies aligned with the Cooperative’s mission,
strategic plan, and Board priorities. Serves as a key member of the
executive leadership team, contributing to organization-wide
planning and decision-making. System Planning & Engineering
Oversight Oversees system planning, engineering design, and
technical standards to ensure a safe, reliable, and resilient
electric distribution system that supports current and future
member needs. Establishes and maintains engineering standards,
specifications, and best practices. Provides executive oversight
for major capital projects, system improvements, and infrastructure
investments. Safety, Compliance & Risk Management Ensures
engineering activities comply with applicable safety, regulatory,
environmental, and industry standards. Promotes a strong safety
culture by integrating safety considerations into engineering
design and planning. Identifies and manages engineering-related
risks impacting system reliability, financial performance, and
public safety. Financial & Resource Management Oversees engineering
budgets, capital forecasts, and long-range infrastructure planning
in coordination with Finance. Supports responsible financial
stewardship through data-driven planning and prioritization of
capital investments. Leadership & Talent Development Leads,
mentors, and develops engineering leadership and staff. Establishes
expectations for performance, accountability, and professional
growth. Fosters a culture of collaboration, continuous improvement,
and technical excellence. Board, Member & External Relations
Prepares and presents engineering-related reports, recommendations,
and long-range plans to the Board of Trustees. Represents the
Cooperative with regulatory agencies, power suppliers, consultants,
and industry organizations. Serves as a technical advisor to
executive leadership and the Board on engineering and system
matters. Subsidiary Oversight Provides executive oversight and
strategic alignment for engineering activities supporting the
Cooperative’s subsidiary operations. Works collaboratively with
subsidiary leadership to support infrastructure planning, design
coordination, and long-term system strategies without directing
day-to-day operations. Ensures appropriate governance, risk
management, safety expectations, and engineering standards are
aligned between the Cooperative and subsidiary, as applicable.
Emergency Response & System Reliability Supports emergency
response, major outages, and system restoration efforts as part of
the executive leadership team. Provides engineering guidance during
system events to support safe and effective decision-making. KPI /
Success Measures System reliability metrics (SAIDI, SAIFI, CAIDI)
aligned with engineering planning targets Accuracy and
effectiveness of system planning and load forecasting Capital
project planning accuracy (budget vs. actual, prioritization
effectiveness) Engineering design quality and adherence to
standards Compliance with regulatory, environmental, and safety
requirements Long-term system performance and infrastructure
resiliency Timeliness and quality of engineering support to
Operations Decision Authority Establishes engineering standards,
specifications, and system design requirements Approves system
planning models, infrastructure strategies, and long-range plans
Recommends capital project priorities and infrastructure
investments Provides engineering approval for system design and
major project scopes Supports operational decision-making with
engineering guidance but does not direct field execution or
restoration activities (Operations) Budget / Contract Authority
Develops engineering-related budgets and capital forecasts in
coordination with Finance Provides financial input and
justification for capital projects and infrastructure investments
Reviews and approves engineering-related vendor contracts, design
services, and consulting agreements Partners with Operations on
project execution budgets while maintaining ownership of planning
assumptions and engineering scope Compliance & Risk Accountability
Ensures compliance with all engineering, safety, environmental, and
regulatory standards (NESC, RUS, OSHA, etc.) Maintains engineering
standards and design practices that support system safety and
reliability Identifies and mitigates system design risks that could
impact safety, reliability, or financial performance Partners with
Operations on system risk, while maintaining accountability for
design integrity and engineering standards Cross-Functional
Interfaces VP of Operations: Engineering = system design,
standards, planning, and technical guidance Operations =
construction, maintenance, switching, and restoration CFO: CFO =
capital planning, financial analysis, and long-term investment
strategy Engineering = project scope, cost inputs, and
infrastructure planning assumptions VP of Administrative Services:
Administrative Services = communication, dispatch coordination, and
service impacts Engineering = system data, outage information, and
infrastructure planning support CTO / IT: CTO = systems,
infrastructure, and technology governance Engineering = integration
of engineering systems (GIS, SCADA interfaces, data systems) Human
Resources / Safety: HR/Safety = safety programs, policies, and
compliance governance Engineering = safety integration in system
design, standards, and planning BOLT Operations: BOLT = broadband
service delivery and operations Engineering = coordination of
infrastructure planning where electric and broadband systems
intersect Executive Team / Board of Trustees: Executive Team/Board
= strategic direction, capital priorities, and governance
Engineering = system planning, technical recommendations, and
infrastructure strategy Competencies Executive Leadership: Provides
strategic direction, builds alignment, and holds leaders
accountable for performance, safety, and results across the
organization Strategic Thinking & Planning: Anticipates future
system needs, evaluates industry trends, and develops long-range
engineering strategies aligned with organizational goals Decision
Making & Judgment: Makes informed, timely decisions by balancing
technical, operational, financial, and regulatory considerations
Operational & Technical Expertise: Applies deep knowledge of
electric system design, planning, and infrastructure to guide sound
engineering decisions and system reliability Communication &
Influence: Communicates complex technical concepts clearly to
leadership, the Board, and stakeholders; influences decisions and
drives alignment Collaboration & Organizational Leadership: Builds
strong partnerships across departments and ensures coordination
between Engineering, Operations, Safety, Finance, and external
partners Financial & Business Acumen: Oversees capital planning,
budgeting, and resource allocation with a focus on long-term system
performance and financial stewardship Safety & Compliance Focus:
Promotes a culture of safety and ensures adherence to regulatory,
environmental, and industry standards Change Leadership &
Innovation: Leads teams through change, supports continuous
improvement, and drives adoption of new technologies and practices
Qualifications Education & Experience Bachelor’s degree in
Engineering required (Electrical Engineering preferred); Master’s
degree strongly preferred Professional Engineer (P.E.) license
preferred or ability to obtain within a reasonable timeframe
Minimum of ten (10) years of progressive engineering experience in
an electric utility or related infrastructure environment
Demonstrated senior leadership experience overseeing engineering
teams, system planning, and capital projects Experience supporting
long-range planning, capital budgeting, and infrastructure
investment strategies Experience working with executive leadership
and Boards, including presenting technical information to
non-technical audiences Functional Knowledge Strong knowledge of
electric distribution system design, planning, and maintenance
practices Understanding of NESC, RUS, OSHA, and other applicable
regulatory and industry standards Experience with system modeling,
reliability planning, and infrastructure development Knowledge of
capital project management, cost estimation, and engineering
standards Familiarity with utility operations, including
coordination with Operations, ROW, Safety, and external partners
Leadership Capability Proven ability to lead and develop
high-performing engineering teams and leaders Ability to set
direction, establish expectations, and drive accountability across
departments Strong strategic leadership with the ability to align
engineering initiatives with organizational goals Effective
communicator with the ability to influence executive leadership,
the Board, and external stakeholders Ability to lead through
change, manage competing priorities, and make sound, timely
decisions
Keywords: Northeast Oklahoma Electric Cooperative, Joplin , Vice President of Engineering, Engineering , Vinita, Missouri
