Design Engineer

About Us

HBK Engineering, LLC is a fully licensed, professional engineering design firm headquartered in Chicago, IL with a staff approaching 700 individuals. HBK provides civil, environmental, structural, electrical, subsurface utility, construction support services and permitting facilitation. Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate services in extremely time-sensitive, multilayered environments. With 25 offices nationwide, including concentrations in the Midwest and on the Coasts, HBK brings together a dedicated team focused on the design and protection of utilities and utility networks.

In July 2020, HBK Engineering was acquired by Quanta Services, a provider of infrastructure services for electric power, pipeline, and communications industries with over 50,000 employees.

About the Role

HBK Engineering is looking for a Design Engineer to be part of a project team consisting of professional engineers, project engineers, and designers involved in the design, modification, and analysis of new and existing utility systems. This role supports municipal designs and a growing portfolio of land development projects, including electric vehicle charging stations, commercial and utility-scale solar, electric substation, battery energy storage sites, and utility-related civil site work.

A critical focus of this role involves utility and roadway conflict analysis, right-of-way (ROW) engineering, and coordinating infrastructure design packages with municipal and state DOT frameworks. This position can be seated in one of the following office locations: Chicago, Oak Brook, or Geneva, IL; Spring, TX; or Denver, CO.

Responsibilities

• Design engineering systems in compliance with relevant specifications, codes, and client requirements for Civil Municipal engineering projects.
• Use engineering judgment and problem-solving skills to independently address unique and complex electrical, structural, civil, and construction-related challenges with minimal oversight.
• Perform peer reviews of engineering Civil designs under the oversight of professional engineering staff.
• Own all phases of the design lifecycle from initiation through construction completion and project closeout.
• Prepare detailed engineering and construction documents using software tools including AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS systems, and client-specific enterprise asset management platforms.
• Assess utility impacts on roadway profiles, perform utility conflict tracking, and design overhead/underground distribution reroutes around complex municipal roadway corridors.
• Coordinate directly with public works departments, utility companies, and state/local permitting agencies to secure required Right-of-Way (ROW), maintenance of traffic (MOT), and utility occupancy permits.
• Analyze information from supplementary data sources including topographical survey, utility atlas information, field sketches, client records, and manufacturer equipment datasheets.
• Prepare reports and studies meeting client requirements that present technical information clearly and concisely.
• Work with project management and engineering leadership to manage project risk.
• Communicate complex engineering matters to internal project management, engineering leadership, and field resources.
• Independently manage time and schedule to achieve project milestones.
• Perform field walkdowns with internal staff, clients, customers, governance authorities, and construction partners.
• 20% to 25% local travel is required.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related degree from an ABET-accredited program.
• EIT Certification or PE License (highly preferred).
• Minimum 2.5+ years of experience in civil site, roadway, or utility engineering.
• Experience with site civil grading and stormwater design.
• Experience with roadway and infrastructure design.
• Proven familiarity with municipal utility coordination standards, roadway construction specification manuals (e.g., IDOT standard specifications), and public right-of-way permitting interfaces.
• In-depth knowledge of 2D CADD software (AutoCAD or similar) including its use to generate layout drawings or other project materials.
• Water CAD or similar knowledge preferred.
• Review of Civil drawings or engineering materials developed by others.
• Training and mentoring of entry-level staff.
• Ability to quickly come up to speed on in-process projects.
• Experience collaborating with a team to complete larger projects.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Wastewater and water design experience preferred.

Benefits

• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability, and employer-paid life insurance.
• 401(k) retirement plan with company match.
• Paid time off and holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement and other role-specific company-paid professional development opportunities.

What You'll Gain

• Senior leadership opportunities combining technical expertise with project management.
• Direct client interface responsibilities including budget and schedule discussions.
• Professional growth within the HBK Organization's senior Design Track.
• Opportunity to lead coordination of complex utility engineering projects with full lifecycle ownership.
• Project financial management and proposal development experience.
• Team leadership and mentoring responsibilities.
• Collaborative work environment with project management and engineering leadership.
• Travel opportunities for field work and client engagement.
• Career advancement opportunities in senior design and project management roles.

Pay

The anticipated compensation for this position varies depending on experience and qualifications.