Design Engineer - Electric Distribution
The Design Engineer will support electric distribution design projects, creating construction-ready designs for overhead and underground systems to enhance electric service reliability and support community growth. This hybrid role involves collaboration with utility engineers and stakeholders, performing design calculations, preparing engineering documentation, and participating in project planning and field activities to deliver quality infrastructure solutions.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position overview
Confidential Client is hiring a Design Engineer to support electric distribution design projects serving the Chicagoland area (Lisle, IL and surrounding communities). This hybrid role (approximately 2–3 days per week onsite or in the field) is open to early-career and experienced candidates who want to grow in utility distribution design and take part in reliability, capacity, and modernization projects.
What You’ll Do
- Design overhead and underground electric distribution facilities for residential, commercial, and industrial customers.
- Create construction-ready design packages using AutoCAD and other utility design tools.
- Prepare engineering drawings, layouts, equipment specifications, and construction documentation.
- Support new service extensions and load-growth projects.
- Apply utility design standards, practices, and safety requirements.
- Perform design calculations, material takeoffs, and cost estimates.
- Coordinate project planning, scheduling, permitting, and easements.
- Conduct field visits to collect site data and support project development.
- Collaborate with engineers, project managers, field personnel, and stakeholders to deliver projects on schedule and to quality expectations.
- Provide construction support and respond to contractor/field questions as needed.
Typical projects
- Underground distribution conversions and full underground system designs (cable systems, transformers, switchgear).
- New service extensions for subdivisions and commercial developments.
- Reliability programs: pole replacements, reconductoring, feeder upgrades.
- System capacity upgrades and infrastructure modernization to support growth.
- Grid modernization tasks that incorporate new technologies and resiliency measures.
Required qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
- Must be located in the Chicago area (Lisle, IL and surrounding suburbs).
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
- Valid driver’s license with ability to travel locally for fieldwork (2–3 days/week onsite or field).
- Strong communication and teamwork skills.
Preferred qualifications
- Experience with electric utility distribution design (overhead and underground).
- Experience using AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS, or similar design/CAD tools.
- Knowledge of utility construction practices, design standards, and industry specs (NESC familiarity preferred).
- Prior experience with utilities, engineering consulting firms, contractors, or electric cooperatives.
Ideal candidate
Candidates can range from recent engineering graduates to experienced distribution design professionals. The ideal candidate is eager to learn, enjoys collaborative problem-solving, and is motivated to support projects that improve community infrastructure and reliability.
Compensation & benefits
- Base salary range: $74,000 to $82,000 annually (actual pay depends on location, experience, and qualifications).
- Hybrid schedule with mentorship, technical development, and exposure to utility operations.
- Opportunity to work on meaningful grid modernization and reliability projects with a Confidential Client.
Why join Confidential Client?
Join a team focused on technical excellence and infrastructure modernization. You’ll work alongside experienced utility engineers and designers on projects that directly impact service reliability and community growth. The role offers mentorship, career development, and hands-on exposure to field operations and design workflows.
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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