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Key Responsibilities and Required Skills for Lead Electrical Engineer

💰 $125,000 - $190,000

EngineeringElectrical EngineeringLeadershipProject Management

🎯 Role Definition

The Lead Electrical Engineer is a senior technical authority and team leader within the engineering department. This role plays a pivotal part in steering the direction of electrical design projects from conception to completion. The individual in this position combines deep technical expertise in electrical systems with strong project management and leadership skills to ensure projects are delivered to the highest standards of quality, safety, and efficiency. They are the go-to expert for complex technical challenges and are responsible for mentoring junior staff, upholding design standards, and interfacing with clients and stakeholders to guarantee project success.

📈 Career Progression

Typical Career Path

Entry Point From:

  • Senior Electrical Engineer
  • Project Engineer (with a strong electrical focus)
  • Electrical Design Engineer (with demonstrated leadership and project ownership)

Advancement To:

  • Principal Electrical Engineer
  • Engineering Manager
  • Director of Electrical Engineering

Lateral Moves:

  • Senior Project Manager
  • Systems Engineering Lead

Core Responsibilities

Primary Functions

  • Lead, mentor, and manage a team of electrical engineers and designers, providing technical guidance, performance feedback, and professional development support.
  • Serve as the primary technical point of contact and lead design authority for all electrical engineering aspects of complex, large-scale projects.
  • Develop and oversee the creation of comprehensive electrical design packages, including single-line diagrams, schematics, power and lighting plans, panel schedules, and equipment specifications.
  • Manage the full lifecycle of electrical engineering projects, from initial concept and feasibility studies through to detailed design, procurement, construction administration, and final commissioning.
  • Review and approve complex calculations for load analysis, fault currents, arc flash hazards, and voltage drop to ensure system integrity, safety, and code compliance.
  • Interface directly with clients, architects, contractors, and other engineering disciplines to define project requirements, resolve design conflicts, and ensure cohesive, integrated project delivery.
  • Drive the development of project scope, budget, and schedule for the electrical portion of work and take responsibility for managing resources to meet those targets.
  • Stamp and seal engineering drawings and documents as a licensed Professional Engineer, assuming responsibility for the design's accuracy and compliance.
  • Conduct thorough quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) reviews on all electrical design deliverables produced by the team to ensure they meet project and company standards.
  • Prepare and evaluate technical specifications and bid documents for electrical equipment and systems, and assist in the procurement and vendor selection process.
  • Lead design review meetings, presenting technical solutions and project status updates to both internal and external stakeholders.
  • Provide expert-level support during the construction phase, responding to Requests for Information (RFIs), reviewing submittals, and performing site visits to ensure installation conforms to design intent.
  • Spearhead troubleshooting efforts for complex electrical issues that arise during design, construction, or operation, leading root cause analysis and developing effective solutions.
  • Champion and enforce adherence to all relevant industry codes and standards, such as the National Electrical Code (NEC), NFPA, IEEE, and local building codes.
  • Take ownership of the electrical system design for mission-critical facilities, ensuring high levels of reliability, redundancy, and maintainability.
  • Develop and maintain strong client relationships, acting as a trusted advisor and identifying opportunities for future projects or expanded services.

Secondary Functions

  • Support business development and marketing efforts by contributing technical expertise to project proposals, preparing fee estimates, and participating in client interviews.
  • Contribute to the continuous improvement of the organization's internal engineering standards, design workflows, and best practices.
  • Assist in the recruitment, interviewing, and onboarding process for new members of the electrical engineering team.
  • Stay abreast of emerging technologies, industry trends, and changes in codes and regulations to ensure the firm remains a competitive leader and innovator.
  • Collaborate with other discipline leads to foster a holistic and integrated approach to project design and execution.
  • Participate in strategic planning sessions to help shape the long-term vision and capabilities of the electrical engineering department.

Required Skills & Competencies

Hard Skills (Technical)

  • Expert proficiency in electrical design software such as AutoCAD Electrical, Revit MEP, or similar platforms for creating detailed construction documents.
  • Advanced knowledge of power system analysis software (e.g., ETAP, SKM PowerTools, EasyPower) for conducting short circuit, coordination, and arc flash studies.
  • In-depth understanding and practical application of the National Electrical Code (NEC), IEC standards, and other relevant local and international codes.
  • Strong experience in the design of medium and low-voltage power distribution systems, including switchgear, transformers, generators, and uninterruptible power supplies (UPS).
  • Competency in lighting design, including fixture selection, layout, and calculations using software like AGI32 or DIALux.
  • Solid understanding of control systems, building automation systems (BAS), PLC logic, and instrumentation for industrial or commercial applications.
  • Experience with the design of grounding, bonding, and lightning protection systems in accordance with industry best practices.
  • Proven ability to prepare and review comprehensive technical specifications, scopes of work, and construction cost estimates.

Soft Skills

  • Exceptional leadership and team mentorship capabilities with a proven ability to guide, motivate, and develop junior engineers and designers.
  • Strong project management and organizational skills, with the ability to manage scope, schedule, and budget for multiple projects simultaneously.
  • Excellent verbal and written communication skills, capable of clearly conveying complex technical concepts to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
  • Strategic problem-solving and critical-thinking abilities to navigate complex design challenges and make sound, timely technical decisions under pressure.
  • High level of client-facing and interpersonal skills, essential for building and maintaining strong professional relationships with clients, partners, and team members.

Education & Experience

Educational Background

Minimum Education:

  • Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or a closely related engineering field from an ABET-accredited institution.

Preferred Education:

  • Master of Science in Electrical Engineering (MSEE), particularly with a focus on Power Systems.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license is strongly preferred, and often required.

Relevant Fields of Study:

  • Electrical Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering

Experience Requirements

Typical Experience Range: 8-15 years of progressive experience in electrical design, with a significant portion in a lead or senior capacity.

Preferred: At least 3-5 years of direct experience in a lead engineer role, demonstrating responsibility for project outcomes and direct mentorship of other engineers. Experience in industries such as building construction (MEP), data centers, manufacturing, or utilities is highly valued.

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