Designer

About the role

A highly varied role designing and managing electric distribution projects for new and existing residential and commercial customers. You’ll interact with customers, manage projects, conduct field assessments, and design systems using GE Smallworld (customized GIS). The team includes 5 electric designers, 3 service designers, and 2 gas designers; you’ll support the electric side while collaborating across disciplines.

Work is a mix of field visits (residential, commercial, and construction sites) and office-based design tasks such as transformer sizing, underground cable routing, and pole placement. You’ll check SAP for new customer contacts, attend weekly scheduling meetings (Mondays/Tuesdays) and team touchpoints (Thursdays), and juggle multiple projects at different lifecycle stages.

Responsibilities

• Design electric distribution systems using GE Smallworld GIS.
• Perform field assessments and site visits.
• Size transformers, route underground cables, and determine pole placement.
• Manage customer communications and project timelines.
• Coordinate with internal and external stakeholders.
• Translate technical data into clear explanations for non-technical customers.
• Attend weekly scheduling and team meetings.

Requirements

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Organizational and project management abilities.
• Basic electrical knowledge or background (experience in electrical or utility fields is a plus).
• Familiarity with Microsoft Office; GIS or AutoCAD experience is beneficial.
• Desire to learn and adapt in a collaborative environment.
• Self-motivation and independence.
• Ability to simplify technical information for non-technical audiences.
• Customer service and project management experience (design experience is secondary; systems can be taught on the job).

No specific degree required; open to various backgrounds (e.g., construction, call center, police).

Benefits

• Healthcare Insurance: Coverage through BlueCross BlueShield of Illinois for eligible employees and dependents. Eligibility begins the 1st of the month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment. Premiums are subsidized by Synectics.
• Dental Insurance: Plan through MetLife for eligible employees and dependents. Eligibility begins the 1st of the month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment.
• Vision Insurance: Coverage through VSP for eligible employees. Eligibility begins the 1st of the month following 60 days of continuous full-time employment.
• 401(k) Plan: Investment Savings Retirement Plan available to employees 21+ after 1 calendar year of employment. Participation begins the 1st of the following month.