Distribution Designers

About the role

The Distribution Designer II/III supports the design and development of overhead and underground electric distribution projects, blending office-based design with field visits.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop design and construction work packages for overhead and underground electric distribution systems
• Review project scopes, utility records, field data, and client documentation to determine design requirements
• Perform field visits to collect measurements, identify existing utility conditions, and verify project requirements
• Prepare distribution designs involving poles, conductors, transformers, secondary systems, service connections, underground cable, and conduit
• Utilize distribution design, pole-loading, GIS, CAD, and work-management systems to complete project documentation
• Coordinate designs around existing utilities, roadway requirements, property restrictions, and environmental considerations
• Support complex underground cable and conduit projects, including congested or urban environments
• Provide technical support during construction and respond to field personnel design questions
• Complete post-construction reviews and verify compliance with client standards and approved designs
• Identify potential design issues, construction conflicts, and system risks before work is released
• Avoidance of outage investigations, root-cause analysis, and corrective/mitigation design development
• Maintain accurate project records and communicate project status and recommendations to internal teams and utility clients
• Manage multiple projects while meeting quality, schedule, and budget expectations

Requirements

• Minimum 2 years of electric distribution design experience (Level II); typically 4+ years of progressively responsible experience (Level III)
• Experience working directly for an electric utility, electric cooperative, municipality, or utility engineering consulting firm
• Demonstrated experience designing overhead and underground electric distribution systems
• Working knowledge of utility construction standards, distribution equipment, and field-design practices
• Experience with one or more distribution design/pole-loading tools such as BOUD, O-Calc, SPIDAcalc, PoleForeman, or similar
• Experience using GIS, CAD, work-management, or job-estimating systems
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, Outlook, and related applications
• Ability to read and interpret utility maps, construction drawings, one-line diagrams, field sketches, and engineering specifications
• Strong written, verbal, organizational, and interpersonal communication skills
• Ability to work independently with limited supervision while collaborating across engineering, project-management, field, and construction teams
• Ability and willingness to perform a combination of office and field work
• Valid driver's license and reliable transportation for local project-site visits (mileage reimbursed)

Nice-to-Haves

• Experience applying National Electrical Safety Code standards
• Experience with ESRI-based GIS platforms
• Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar drafting tools
• Knowledge of utility permitting, easements, right-of-way requirements, and joint-use coordination
• Experience preparing project estimates, bills of material, and construction work orders
• Experience coordinating protective devices or reviewing distribution-system loading
• Familiarity with utility work-management and customer-information systems
• Experience reviewing the work of junior designers or providing technical guidance to team members

Education

Affiliate or bachelor's degree in Engineering Technology, Drafting, Design, Construction Management, Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related technical discipline preferred.