Distribution Line Engineer 3

About the role

GAI Consultants has a career-building opportunity for a Distribution Line Engineer 3 within our Power Delivery Engineering Business Unit. GAI is an established and growing multi-discipline engineering firm with tremendous growth opportunities in the Arizona region. The successful candidate will enjoy working in a challenging, fast-paced, and team-oriented environment that will utilize their related experience to develop professionally and grow in today's evolving energy industry.

GAI’s Power Delivery Engineering Business Unit provides engineering services supporting a diverse portfolio of energy infrastructure projects, including electric transmission and distribution (T&D) systems, substations, natural gas-fired generation facilities, pipeline development, renewable energy developments, industrial facilities, and manufacturing clients.

Responsibilities

• Design and permit overhead and underground distribution lines, including conductor selection, pole loading analysis, equipment sizing, voltage drop evaluation, and system optimization.
• Develop construction work packages including drawing preparation, bill of materials, staking sheets, and cost estimates in accordance with client standards and NESC requirements.
• Conduct field visits and use information to create drawings.
• Conduct routing studies and engineering evaluations to determine feeder alignments and constructability considerations.
• Provide peer reviews and training of engineers and designers in quality control and quality assurance processes.
• Utilize various software to create overhead and underground electrical distribution designs.
• Follow local utility and construction standards.
• Develop or facilitate designs for greenfield and brownfield sites associated with electric utility and power generation projects.
• Perform engineering studies, feasibility assessments, and site evaluations related to energy infrastructure projects or program initiatives.
• Facilitate discussions and coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams, including civil, structural, electrical, environmental, geotechnical, and permitting professionals to deliver complex energy infrastructure projects on schedule and within budget.
• Collaborate with utility, independent power producers (IPP), industrial, and energy sector clients to understand project goals, technical requirements & constraints, and regulatory compliance.
• Utilize latest design software to prepare detailed engineering designs, plans, and construction documents.
• Evaluate designs that comply with client standards & NESC, industry best practices, environmental regulations, and safety requirements.
• Manage multiple projects and execute projects with minimal guidance while serving as a technical resource for project teams. Responsible for project execution, quality control, schedule management, and client satisfaction.
• Perform moderate to highly complex engineering design tasks while delegating routine assignments and providing technical oversight to junior staff.
• Support business development efforts such as project pursuits, proposal development, scope definition, and client relationship management efforts.
• Support other project staff to participate in site visits, field investigations, construction support activities, and project meetings as required.
• Demonstrate strong collaboration, communication, technical leadership, and problem-solving skills with utility clients.
• Adhere to the safety programs and procedures of GAI and our clients' safety requirements and help develop job site visit safety plans.
• Travel to project sites, client offices, and other GAI offices as needed (occasional local/regional travel expected, approximately 10%–20% of the time).
• Other duties as assigned.

Requirements

• 8+ years of experience in distribution line engineering or related field.
• B.S. or M.S. in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (P.E.) License, with reciprocity in multiple states.
• Ability to learn, retain, and apply on-the-job training and use design software packages efficiently.
• Ability to work effectively in design teams and multitask while prioritizing work.
• Ability to work in a fast-paced environment and handle shifting deadlines and scope changes.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong proficiency in engineering design software.

Preferred Experience

• Design and engineering experience supporting distribution line projects.
• Experience with multidisciplinary teams in the utility, energy, industrial, and power generation clients from inception to completion.
• Familiarity with SRP, APS, and TEP engineering standards, permitting requirements, and design practices, with experience delivering utility infrastructure projects within Arizona.
• Experience leading multidisciplinary engineering projects and mentoring junior staff.

General Characteristics

• Applies broad knowledge of principles and practices in a specific practice area.
• Independently evaluates, selects, and adapts standard techniques, procedures, and criteria.
• Leads tasks and projects of moderately complex scopes.
• Develops plans, specifications, and other project documents.
• Selects appropriate principles of engineering economics, and probability and statistics to analyze risk in complex engineering problems.

Technical Responsibilities

• Develops and reviews complete project documents for conformity and quality assurance.
• Keeps informed of updates to standards, regulations, and best practices.
• Analyzes complex engineering projects to determine design requirements, uncertainties, and constraints.

Project and Task Management

• Assigns tasks to other technical and non-technical staff.
• Predominantly plans and coordinates detailed aspects of the engineering work.
• Prepares scopes, budgets, and schedules for assignments.
• Assists with proposals to provide professional services or obtain funding for engineering projects or programs.

Management Responsibility

• Receives supervision and guidance relating to overall objectives, critical issues, new concepts, and policy matters.
• Receives direction on unusual conditions and developments.
• Mentors direct reports and other engineers.
• Demonstrates professional attitudes relevant to the practice of engineering, including creativity, curiosity, flexibility, and dependability.

Communication Skills

• Possesses advanced oral and written communication skills, including interpretation of complex technical and contractual language.
• Considers the needs of diverse project stakeholders.
• Leads project meetings and represents the organization in communications pertaining to broad aspects of engineering assignments.
• Analyzes and selects principles of formal communication, effective teamwork, and various pathways to developing leadership.

Benefits

• Competitive pay and performance-driven recognition and development bonuses.
• Comprehensive health and wellness benefits, including medical, dental, and vision plans.
• Company-paid short-term and long-term disability.
• Company-paid life insurance.
• Employee Assistance Program and wellness resources.
• Generous paid time off plus 7 paid holidays and an additional floating holiday.
• Paid maternity, paternity, and adoption leave.
• 401(k) with company match.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Support and rewards for professional development and certifications.