Lea County Electric Cooperative- Manager of Engineering

Manager/Director of Engineering Lea County Electric Cooperative – Lovington, NM Lea County Electric Cooperative (LCEC) in Lovington, NM is seeking a collaborative, technically strong, and forward-thinking leader to serve as its next Manager/Director of Engineering . This critical leadership role will guide engineering strategy, system planning, and infrastructure development to ensure the continued reliability, safety, and long-term success of the cooperative’s electric distribution system. LCEC has retained NRECA Executive Search to facilitate the search process for this position. The Manager of Engineering will lead engineering operations with a strong focus on system performance, distribution reliability, long-range planning, and technical excellence. This leader will play a key role in strengthening internal engineering capabilities, mentoring developing talent, and supporting the cooperative’s commitment to operational excellence, accountability, and service to its members. This position is especially important as LCEC continues to manage system growth, evolving energy demands, infrastructure investment, and succession planning needs. The successful candidate will bring a balance of technical expertise, leadership ability, strategic thinking, and cooperative values to help position the organization for long-term success.   About Lea County Electric Cooperative Established in 1949, Lea County Electric Cooperative in headquartered in Lovington, New Mexico.  The cooperative plays a vital role in powering communities across Southeast New Mexico and West Texas, encompassing portions of Chaves, Eddy, and Lea Counties in New Mexico, as well as Cochran, Gaines, and Yoakum Counties in Texas. Our dedicated team of nine trustees, in collaboration with our skilled management and workforce, has successfully navigated through periods of change and expansion. Key Statistics about LCEC 230 MW system peak 1.4+ billion kWh annual sales Over 4,300 miles of energized line 53 owned substations, switch stations and transmission interchange stations 70 MW renewable portfolio $100M+ annual revenue $300M+ total utility plant Full transmission and distribution operations Central operations hub with multiple satellite locations The cooperative has a full requirements contract with its G & T - Western Farmers Electric Cooperative located in Anadarko, Oklahoma. Key Responsibilities System Analysis and Strategy Lead engineering efforts to improve reliability, safety, efficiency, and long-term performance of the electric distribution system Design and implement a four-year maintenance and construction plan to optimize system operations. Conduct and oversee system analysis, load forecasting, and infrastructure planning Evaluate future capital investments and engineering priorities that align with cooperative objectives System Studies & Technical Oversight Oversee studies on voltage regulation, arc flash safety, and system coordination to enhance network performance Partner with the engineering team to analyze load flow, short circuit scenarios, and protective relaying schemes. Ensure sound engineering design and technical decision-making across distribution projects Maintain strong working knowledge of regulatory and industry requirements impacting engineering operations Project & Infrastructure Delivery Support development and execution of maintenance, construction, and capital improvement plans Partner with operations and construction teams to ensure engineering standards are maintained Improve engineering processes, documentation, and project coordination Monitor system demands and identify infrastructure upgrades needed for future growth Leadership & Team Development Lead, mentor, and develop engineering staff, including early-career engineers Build internal technical depth and support succession planning efforts Foster a culture of accountability, collaboration, safety, and continuous improvement Promote strong communication and effective teamwork across departments Encourage innovation, initiative, and sound problem-solving Provide engineering insight and recommendations to leadership The Ideal Candidate The successful candidate will be a strong engineering leader who combines technical expertise with practical leadership experience. This individual should be highly collaborative, accountable, and capable of balancing long-term strategic thinking with day-to-day execution. The ideal candidate will bring: Strong knowledge of electric utility engineering and infrastructure systems Experience in distribution engineering, system studies, and power flow analysis A commitment to safety, integrity, and operational excellence Demonstrated accountability and dependability Strong interpersonal communication and team-building skills Ability to mentor, coach, and develop engineering talent Comfortable taking initiative to get results A practical, solutions-oriented mindset with sound decision-making ability Appreciation for cooperative values and member-focused service Experience and Expertise Required Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or closely related engineering field Minimum 5 years of leadership experience Minimum 5 years of electric utility experience Experience with system studies, load flow analysis, and technical engineering oversight Demonstrated ability to lead teams and develop employees Strong communication, organizational, and analytical skills Valid New Mexico driver’s license (or ability to obtain) and compliance with drug testing policies Ability to reside within a 30-minute commute of LCEC headquarters Preferred Electric cooperative, municipal, or public power utility experience Professional Engineer (PE) license (or ability to obtain) Experience with RUS standards and electric cooperative operations Familiarity with NERC/FERC regulations, FEMA Reconstruction Funding Experience in Southwest Power Pool (SPP) or similar regional market environments Advanced degree (MBA or related field) NRECA Management Internship Program (MIP) graduate Familiarity with Schweitzer Engineering Laboratories (SEL) systems or similar technologies Our Location  With a population of around 11,000, Lovington offers the charm of a tight-knit community while staying connected to larger nearby hubs. Residents benefit from an affordable cost of living, light traffic, and a slower, more relaxed lifestyle. At the same time, they’re just a short drive from Hobbs (about 20 minutes away, population ~50,000) for additional shopping, dining, and entertainment, and within roughly 90 minutes of Lubbock (population ~280,000), which provides access to advanced healthcare, and a wider range of cultural and professional opportunities. This balance makes Lovington an appealing choice for those who want affordability and a strong sense of community without giving up access to urban amenities. Nearby regional airports are Hobbs, NM; Roswell, NM; Lubbock, TX and Midland, TX. Our Benefits LCEC offers an excellent comprehensive benefit package including medical, dental and vision coverage, life insurance, long term disability, 401 k, employer funded pension (NRECA R&S Plan) and relocation assistance. Salary range is $150,000 to $180,000 and commensurate with experience and qualifications. Lea County Electric Cooperative is an EEO/Affirmative Action employer.  Race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, disability, military, veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, genetic information or any other applicable status protected by Federal, State or Local law are not taken into account in any employment decision.  Learn more about us at https://www.lcecnet.com/ How to Apply If interested, please apply at https://nreca.applytojob.com/apply/Bvv8itCyET/Lea-County-Electric-Cooperative-ManagerDirector-Of-Engineering   with the following: 1) Cover letter, 2) resume and 3) contact information (including emails) for 3 professional references. Applications must be received by September 1 , 2026 . If you have any questions, please contact  Leigh Taylor,  NRECA Executive Search, leigh.taylor@nreca.coop. All replies are confidential.