CenTrio is a fully integrated, innovative and sustainable energy services provider to a wide range of industries such as higher education & healthcare campuses, cities, and communities. It serves more with utility infrastructures serving more than 170+ million square feet of space and operations in 10 cities across the United States and growing.
In each community, the company operates highly efficient and innovative utility infrastructures that produce and distribute electricity, steam, hot water and/or chilled water to customer buildings and campuses. Customers connected to these systems enjoy multiple benefits including reduced operating costs, lower emissions and unmatched reliability.
CenTrio is a wholly owned subsidiary of a global Infrastructure Investment Consortium with unmatched financial wherewithal and manages a portfolio of long-life, high quality infrastructure assets with high barriers to entry that generate stable and growing cash flows.
Job Summary
The Vice President Engineering (VPE) will provide critical leadership within the Utilities and District Energy System operations and directly supporting the Senior Vice President Engineering and Construction (SVPE&C). This role encompasses overseeing team performance, managing large scale energy projects, and driving business development initiatives.
The VPE will play a key role in executing the strategic vision of the Engineering Department, managing large scale projects, performing engineering evaluations, overseeing day-to-day-operations, and ensuring optimal performance of CenTrio's energy infrastructure. This position will focus on innovation, reliability, sustainability, and system efficiency, helping to deliver high quality results along with fostering a positive results-driven team culture. This role demands a forward-thinking leader with industry expertise to support the company's strategic objectives, ensure alignment between technical excellence and business growth and client satisfaction while also fostering a strong team culture and effective people management.
This position offers a hybrid work structure, allowing flexibility to work remotely or from the office based on business needs. While remote work is an option, working from the office is encouraged for tasks requiring high collaboration or on-site completion. Office attendance can vary weekly.
Key Responsibilities:
Assist the SVPE&C in executing strategic initiatives
Provide detailed reports on department operations, engineering analysis, project timelines, team performance and system efficiency to the SVP&C
Collaborate with the SVPE&C to align engineering & construction goals and development strategies ensuring cohesive engineering support and project delivery
Leadership and Strategy
Support the SVPE&C with leading, mentoring and managing the engineering team, fostering a culture of innovation, collaboration, and excellence
Help develop and implement the engineering strategy aligned with company goals, particularly in engineering analysis, reliability, sustainability, and operational efficiency.
Collaborate and work cross-functionally with others to ensure alignment between engineering operations and broader company objectives.
Develop team members, ensure high morale is maintained and provide support when necessary to ensure team is engaged and working effectively towards common goals
Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation within the team and keep pace with industry trends and technological advancements.
Engineering and Project Management
Oversee the planning, design, and construction of new district energy projects, expansions, and upgrades to existing infrastructure.
Perform operational reliability and efficiency engineering evaluations to achieve optimal plant and distribution system performance
Act as a key decision maker on project prioritization, resources allocation and risk management to meet strategic objectives
Ensure projects are completed on time, within scope, and on budget.
Lead efforts in introducing advanced technologies, renewable energy integration, and automation to improve energy systems.
Business Development:
Collaborate and actively contribute to with the SVPE&C and business development teams to define and pursue new market opportunities for growth within the district energy and utility sector
Participate in proposal development ensuring that the engineering solutions present alignment with client needs and organizational capabilities
Assistant negotiations and contract development for projects focusing on ensuring technical feasibility and optimal design outcomes
Operations and Maintenance:
Oversee and at times drive the reliable and efficient operation of district energy systems, including steam, chilled water and electricity production and distribution
Implement best practices for system maintenance, performance monitoring, and troubleshooting
Work closely with operations teams to optimize energy plant and distribution system operation and cost-effectiveness.
Sustainability and Innovation:
Lead efforts to enhance sustainability initiatives, including reducing carbon emissions and integrating renewable energy sources (e.g., geothermal, solar, biomass).
Explore and adopt continuous improvement and innovation across engineering processes and technologies to enhance energy efficiency and reduce environmental impact.
Compliance and Risk Management:
Ensure compliance with all local, state, and federal regulations, including environmental and safety standards.
Proactively identify and mitigate risks related to engineering projects and initiatives, including safety, operational, and financial risks. Keep senior leadership informed of any significant challenges to project risk profiles and mitigate risk.
Budgeting and Financial Oversight:
Assist in developing and managing the Corporate Engineering Department annual budget, ensuring cost control without compromising quality or safety.
Evaluate capital expenditures and operational costs related to energy systems and infrastructure.
Provide SVPE&C with regular updates on financial performance including project expenditures and operating costs.
Stakeholder Management:
Build and maintain relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including clients, contractors, utility providers and regulatory agencies to facilitate smooth collaboration and project success
Engage with business development team to align engineering solutions with client and market needs, fostering long term partnerships and customer satisfaction, keeping accurate records of engineering contacts and industry partners.
Working Style to Be Successful in This Role:
Provide effective engineering experience and analytical skills to complete thorough and effective equipment and utility/energy system evaluation and optimization
Strong leadership and team management skills, with the ability to inspire and drive high performance.
Collaborative with excellent interpersonal skills including being capable of developing and maintaining positive relationships internally and externally
Ability to think long-term and develop innovative engineering solutions aligned with the company's vision.
Adept at diagnosing and addressing complex technical challenges.
Strong analytical design and problem-solving skills with great attention to detail, providing specific recommendations to optimize outcomes
Demonstrates exceptional initiative and execution skills.
Comfortable navigating the evolving energy environment to initiate and lead effective results and positive change.
Delivers high-quality work with accuracy
Adapts quickly in a dynamic, complex, and fast-paced environment, managing changing priorities effectively
Professional Experience & Knowledge:
Degree in Engineering (Mechanical, Electrical or Civil preferred) with a minimum 8 years of engineering experience
Professional Engineer License strongly preferred
Proven experience managing large, complex engineering design and energy infrastructure projects from concept through completion.
Thorough understanding of district energy systems, including steam, chilled water, and power generation, including renewable energy integration.
Technical Skills & Requirements:
Expertise in operation and optimization of mechanical, electrical, and control systems
Experience with energy efficiency, sustainability initiatives, and regulatory compliance.
Excellent project management and financial oversight abilities.
Proven experience in business development, client engagement, and identifying growth opportunities within district energy engineering field.
Strong understanding of budgeting, financial metrics, and cost control in large infrastructure projects.
Outstanding communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate across departments and with external stakeholders.
Strong oral and written communication abilities.
Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite, particularly Excel for creating spreadsheets and using formulas
Proficiency with MS Project and MS PowerPoint
Experience working with D365 is an asset
Why Join CenTrio?
CenTrio offers a dynamic and friendly work environment, dedicated to nurturing a top-notch team culture! Additionally, CenTrio offers an array of fabulous benefits and perks.
Medical Benefits first day of hire
Medical, dental, vision, Life & AD&D benefits
Option of supplemental Life & AD&D benefits
Company paid High Deductible Healthcare Benefit Plan
401k plan with % match
Training Opportunities and career progression
Competitive salaries that reflect the value of skills and experience
Dynamic and friendly work environment in a rapidly expanding industry with a national presence
Remote, Hybrid, and In Office schedules available dependent on job responsibilities