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Lea County Electric Cooperative- Manager of Engineering
Job Location:
Job Location:
Lovington, NM - USA
Monthly Salary:
Not provided by the employer
Monthly Salary:
Posted:
29 May 2026 (30+ days ago)
Posted:
Application Deadline:
21 October 2026
Application Deadline:
Vacancies:
1 Vacancy
Vacancies:
Job Summary
Manager 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 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 cooperatives 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 cooperatives 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.
Key Statistics about LCEC
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
Project & Infrastructure Delivery
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:
Experience and Expertise
Preferred
Nearby regional airports are Hobbs NM; Roswell NM; Lubbock TX and Midland TX.
Salary is 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 to ApplyIf interested please apply at with the following: 1) Cover letter 2) resume and 3) contact information (including emails) for 3 professional references. Applications must be received byJuly 10 2026. If you have any questions please contactLeigh TaylorNRECA Executive Search emailprotected.
All replies are confidential.
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 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 cooperatives 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 cooperatives 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 4300 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
- 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
- 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 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
- Demostrated 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
- Bachelors 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 drivers 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 11000 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 theyre just a short drive from Hobbs (about 20 minutes away population 50000) for additional shopping dining and entertainment and within roughly 90 minutes of Lubbock (population 280000) 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 and employer funded pension (NRECA R&S Plan). Salary is 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 to ApplyIf interested please apply at with the following: 1) Cover letter 2) resume and 3) contact information (including emails) for 3 professional references. Applications must be received byJuly 10 2026. If you have any questions please contactLeigh TaylorNRECA Executive Search emailprotected.
All replies are confidential.
Required Experience:
Senior Manager
