Senior Electrical Engineer / Electrical Department Head

Korn Ferry has partnered with our client on their search for Senior Electrical Engineer / Electrical Department Head

The Opportunity

Position: Senior Electrical Engineer / Electrical Department Head

Reporting Relationship: Office Leader

Location: Alexandria, VA

Website: https://www.vanderweil.com/

Vanderweil Engineers

Vanderweil Engineers is a nationally recognized, top-ranked engineering firm specializing in MEP/FP, power, sustainability, and technology services. For 75 years, the firm has delivered innovative solutions across diverse sectors, including Science & Technology, Mission Critical, Academic, Healthcare, Government, and Commercial.

As one of the largest independently owned engineering firms in the U.S., Vanderweil’s team of 500+ professionals operates from nine offices nationwide, bringing deep expertise and a commitment to excellence to every project.

Vanderweil prioritizes its team members’ professional development and physical and behavioral health and is an equal opportunity employer. The firm operates on a hybrid work schedule with three days per week of in-person work, supporting both flexibility and professional development opportunities.

The Alexandria, VA office overlooks the Potomac River from the historic Old Town district and offers onsite parking and a fitness center, free street parking, and shuttle service to the local Metro station.

The Role: Senior Electrical Engineer / Electrical Department Head

Vanderweil seeks a Senior Electrical Engineer and/or Electrical Department Head to join its Alexandria, VA Electrical Group. This leader will oversee electrical design across multiple market sectors, including federal/government, commercial, academic, healthcare, and science & technology.

The role combines senior technical design leadership, project responsibility, client-facing engagement, quality control, and staff development. The successful candidate will also interface with firmwide electrical leadership to optimize staffing and resources, client service, and technical development.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead and execute electrical power system calculations and design, including power distribution, emergency/standby systems, and lighting systems in accordance with codes, firm standards and procedures, and client standards.
• Serve as the Professional Engineer in responsible charge of projects.
• Serve as the senior face of Vanderweil’s electrical team, attending client-facing meetings and site observations as needed to support project activities.
• Provide quality control and oversight of electrical design activities across the department.
• Provide technical guidance and leadership to support staff, including the electrical team and broader firmwide resources.
• Partner with firmwide electrical leadership to optimize staffing, resource planning, technical consistency, and project execution.
• Support continued growth of the Electrical Group through mentoring, collaboration, and strong project delivery.
• Ensure electrical design work aligns with applicable codes, client standards, and Vanderweil’s quality expectations.

The Candidate

Key Competencies and Experience

Vanderweil is seeking a technically strong, client-oriented electrical engineering leader who can provide handson project leadership while supporting the development of a growing team. The ideal candidate will bring deep experience in building systems engineering, electrical design, and project execution across complex environments.

Success in this role requires strong technical judgment, a service-oriented leadership style, and the ability to guide engineers through design decisions, quality review, client interactions, and project delivery. The candidate should be comfortable serving as the PE in responsible charge while also mentoring staff and collaborating across the broader Vanderweil platform.

Experience and competencies required for the role:

• 15+ years of related electrical engineering experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Experience executing electrical designs in Revit.
• Strong understanding of the NEC, IBC, and IECC.
• Knowledge of SKM, AGI 32, ETAP, and AMPCALC 4 is a plus.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to lead client-facing discussions and internal technical reviews.
• Leadership experience, including mentoring, staff development, and quality oversight, is preferred.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with project teams, clients, and firmwide technical leadership.
• Demonstrated commitment to technical excellence, client service, and continuous improvement.

Education

• An undergraduate degree in electrical engineering or electrical engineering technology is required.

SE: 510770036