Vice President of Engineering

Join our Growing Team and see why Summit Utilities, Inc was named as one of the Fastest Growing Denver Area Private Companies 2019 and 2020; Best Places to Work in Maine 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022 and 2023; and Best Places to Work in Arkansas 2020 and 2023, Oklahoma 2022 and 2023 and Missouri 2023. Summit was also recently named one of Forbes 2023 America’s Best Small Employers.

Summit is a growing natural gas utility company providing safe, reliable and clean burning natural gas service to homes and businesses in Arkansas, Colorado, Maine, Missouri and Oklahoma. Being part of the Summit team means embracing excellence, diversity and innovation, committing to safety each and every day, and doing all that we can to serve each other, our customers and the communities where we live. We aim to bring warmth and energy to everything we do.

We have an exciting opportunity for a Vice President of Engineering based in Little Rock, AR.

POSITION SUMMARY

The Vice President and Chief Engineer for Summit Utilities, Inc. (SUI) leads the strategic planning, management, and execution of the company’s engineering programs. This executive role is responsible for ensuring the safety, reliability, and efficiency of all engineering activities across SUI, focusing on the design, construction, and operation of natural gas utility systems. Key accountabilities include oversight of the development and enforcement of engineering standards, system documentation, company codes and standards, and quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) across all service territories, ensuring compliance with applicable federal and state regulations and company policies.

PRIMARY DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

Strategic Leadership and Engineering Oversight

• Directs and approves engineering initiatives that ensure the design, construction, inspection, and repair of gas utility distribution systems adhere to the highest safety and reliability standards.
• Collaborates closely with the Summit executive team to shape and achieve annual strategic goals, championing innovation, safety, and operational excellence across the organization.
• Acts as a thought leader and mentor within the company, fostering a culture of accountability, continuous improvement, and adherence to safety standards.
• Sets and enforces company engineering standards, providing expert level input to the technical review process, project scopes, material/equipment specifications, and construction methodologies to ensure regulatory compliance and cost efficiency.
• Conducts comprehensive evaluations on cost impacts and rate implications for all engineering projects related to system construction and maintenance.
• Represents SUI in addressing engineering-related concerns from the public, governmental agencies, and industry stakeholders, ensuring timely resolution and regulatory alignment.
• Manages long-term asset planning to support growth and system reliability through collaboration with Business Development and Operations, and performs hydraulic modeling analyses.

Capital Budget Management

• Works closely with company financial leadership to prepare and manage short- and long-term capital investment plans relating to growth, system improvements, public accommodations and other infrastructure and investment needs.

Asset Data and Technology Integration

• Leads the development, testing, and deployment of asset data and field construction applications, ensuring accurate data collection, analysis, and maintenance across all service territories.
• Oversees asset data system enhancements to support operational efficiencies, system reliability, and safety initiatives.

Engineering Codes, Standards, and Compliance

• Provides expert guidance in developing and enforcing company-wide codes and standards for engineering and construction, aligning with regulatory mandates and industry best practices.
• Actively engages with regulatory agencies to ensure alignment between company standards and evolving regulatory expectations.

Measurement

• Provides guidance and support to measurement operations, including measurement and pressure regulation operations and maintenance, customer meter reading, mandatory compliance for meter and regulator testing, and back-office measurement support. 
• Champions and communicate to executive leadership continuous improvement initiatives to promote measurement excellence and influence revenue optimization. 

EDUCATION AND WORK EXPERIENCE 

• Bachelor of Science degree (B.S.) in Engineering from an ABET accredited university. 
• An advanced degree in Engineering or Management preferred.
• Minimum of 15 years in natural gas transmission or distribution, with at least 5 years in executive or senior management roles.
• Must be a registered Professional Engineer. The preferred states of licensure include Colorado, Maine, Missouri, Arkansas, Oklahoma, and Texas. 

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, ABILITIES 

• Deep expertise in engineering principles specific to natural gas utility distribution systems, with substantial experience in planning, design, and operations.
• Skilled in developing and enforcing codes and standards, with a strong command of natural gas industry regulations, including 49 CFR Parts 190–197 and ASTM B38.
• Demonstrated leadership abilities with proven success in managing cross-functional teams and achieving strategic objectives.
• Exceptional technical writing skills, with the ability to produce precise, comprehensive reports and documents.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint), with the ability to leverage these tools effectively for managing projects and reporting.
• A track record of strategic oversight and team management, with a focus on innovation, safety, and compliance.

Summit offers competitive pay and medical/dental/vision and other benefits that provide flexibility, choice and support to our employees when they need it most. We understand that home and family are essential pieces of your life, and our benefits are designed to support you both at work and at home. 

Summit Utilities, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, age, status as a protected veteran, or status as a qualified individual with disability.