Willdan Lighting and Electric, a subsidiary of Willdan Group Inc., is seeking an Operations Manager.
The Operations Manager is the operational lead for a multifamily energy efficiency program, responsible for overseeing inspections, engineering, and QA/QC activities to ensure high-quality, compliant, and timely program delivery. This role provides senior-level leadership, manages cross-functional technical teams, and serves as a key point of contact for the utility client and subcontractors on operational and technical execution.This position requires strong judgment, attention to detail, and the ability to manage complex workflows and priorities in a fast-paced program environment. The role also requires strong technical engineering knowledge to oversee engineering reviews, interpret program technical guidelines, and ensure measures meet utility program requirements.Essential Duties and Responsibilities
Operational Leadership & Planning
- Lead day-to-day program operations across inspections, engineering reviews, and QA/QC.
- Forecast inspection volumes, staffing needs, and engineering workloads to support current and future program years.
- Identify and implement process improvements, standardization, and automation opportunities.
- Negotiate and oversee contracts with subcontractors, including developing a seasonal volume management strategy.
Performance & Risk Management
- Monitor key operational KPIs including inspection pass/fail rates, turnaround times, reinspection trends, and pipeline aging.
- Identify operational and compliance risks early and drive corrective actions.
- Oversee root cause analysis and resolution of recurring technical or process issues.
- Oversee inspection and engineering pipelines to ensure timely assignment and completion of work.
- Identify and resolve bottlenecks by coordinating across internal teams and external partners.
Technical Engineering Oversight
- Provide technical oversight of engineering reviews to ensure energy savings calculations, measure eligibility, and project scopes comply with utility program technical guidelines.
- Review complex or high-cost projects and provide engineering judgment on measure applicability, savings assumptions, and cost-effectiveness.
- Support resolution of technical questions related to HVAC systems, electrification technologies, controls, lighting, envelope measures, and other energy efficiency technologies.
- Ensure engineering documentation, calculations, and technical reviews meet program standards and audit requirements.
- Provide guidance to engineering and inspection teams on interpretation of technical manuals, program rules, and engineering best practices.
Team Leadership
- Provide leadership and direction to Engineering and Inspection Leads and their teams.
- Oversee scheduling, staff training, workload balancing, and resource planning across technical teams.
- Set clear priorities and performance expectations while supporting team development.
Client & Stakeholder Coordination
- Serve as a primary operational contact for the utility client on field execution, inspection issues, and engineering clarifications.
- Support resolution of inspection exceptions, technical disputes, and measure eligibility questions.
- Partner with staff to develop strong working relationships with stakeholders, ensuring positive contractor experience with engineering, inspection, and QAQC processes.
Program Design & Continuous Improvement
- Provide input on inspection protocols, engineering review criteria, and QA/QC standards.
- Support updates to operating procedures and QA/QC documentation.
- Incorporate QA/QC findings and audit feedback into ongoing program improvements.
- Develop training resources and SOPs for inspectors and engineers to inform high-quality deliverables.
Reporting & Communication
- Prepare and review operational reports and dashboards for leadership and the utility client.
- Clearly communicate performance, risks, and improvement initiatives to stakeholders.
Job Requirements / Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Energy, or related discipline) required.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred.
- Advanced degree or professional certifications (CEM, PMP, etc.) a plus.
- 5+ years of experience in operations, program management, or project delivery within energy efficiency, utilities, or a related technical field.
- Experience leading engineering, inspection, and/or QA/QC teams in a complex program environment.
- Strong understanding of multifamily energy efficiency programs, inspections, and engineering review processes.
- Demonstrated experience improving organizational processes to maximize efficiency and resources.
- Proven ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions, and drive execution independently.
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills.
- Proficiency with MS Excel, data analysis, and reporting tools; dashboard experience a plus.
EEO Non-Discrimination and ADA Reasonable Accommodation Statement
Willdan is an equal opportunity employer. Applicants are considered for all positions without regard to race, religious creed, color, age marital status, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, citizenship status, national origin, ancestry, religion, military service or veteran status, disability, medical condition, childbirth and related medical conditions, genetic testing, reproductive status or any other classification protected by federal, state or local laws and ordinances. Willdan does not discriminate on the basis of physical or mental disability where the essential functions of the job can be reasonably accommodated. Determinations on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. If you need reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process, please notify us.
Willdan Lighting & Electric participates in E-Verify.
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in engineering (Mechanical, Electrical, Energy, or related discipline)
- Professional Engineer (PE) license
- 5+ years of experience in operations, program management, or project delivery within energy efficiency
- Experience leading engineering, inspection, and/or QA/QC teams in a complex program environment
- Strong understanding of multifamily energy efficiency programs, inspections, and engineering review processes
- Strong analytical, organizational, and communication skills
What We Do
Willdan (NASDAQ: WLDN) provides professional consulting and technical services to utilities, public agencies and private industry throughout the United States. Its broad set of complementary disciplines span energy efficiency, distributed energy resources and software, engineering and planning, public finance and economic consulting. Willdan provides integrated technical solutions to extend the reach and resources of its clients, and provides all services through its subsidiaries specialized in each segment. Since our establishment in 1964, Willdan has grown significantly, employing 1,560 dedicated professionals (excluding contractors) as of December 31, 2021, and achieving an impressive annual Contract Revenue exceeding $350 million. Willdan benefits from long standing, well-established relationships with local and state government agencies, investor-owned and municipal utilities, and commercial and industrial firms throughout the United States. Headquartered in Anaheim, California, Willdan operates from offices in more than 20 states across the US, with its largest operations in California and New York.
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