Design QA​/QC Lead

Job Title: QA/ QC Lead
Location:
Detroit, MI
Duration: 24 Months (Contract with possibility of extension)
Pay Range: $90.00 - $95.00 /hour on W2


JOB DESCRIPTION:
The Design QA/QC Lead – Overhead Distribution serves as the first-line independent technical reviewer for conversion and distribution overhead work packages within DTE's OHD QA/QC function. This role performs structured design reviews at the 30%, 60%, and 90% completion stages, validating that designs from external service providers comply with DTE Distribution Design Operating (DDO) standards, are constructible, and are free of defects before packages advance toward scheduling and construction.
This position is being created to establish staged (30/60/90%) design review for conversion and distribution work. The role does not redesign DTE's existing engineering process; it applies an independent quality review layer over that process. The Design QA/QC Lead is expected to engage during the 0 to 30% window as well, helping shape project scope and design criteria before formal design begins.
The Design QA/QC Lead reports to the QA/QC Engineering Supervisor, who retains final review authority and sign-off. This role carries no supervisory responsibility.

Key Accountabilities
Conduct structured 30%, 60%, and 90% design reviews of conversion and distribution overhead work packages submitted by external design service providers, documenting findings against DDO, standards and DTE construction details.
Verify design accuracy and standards compliance across conductor sizing and ampacity, clearances, grounding, pole class and loading, and armless versus crossarm construction.
Verify conversion-specific design changes, including insulation levels, arrester and cutout ratings, and secondary impacts associated with 4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion.
Evaluate constructability and safety considerations, including tree trim requirements, joint use coordination, top cut sequencing, and construction list completeness.
Conduct field site visits as required to verify existing conditions, constructability, and design accuracy.
Track and document standards exceptions and non-standard designs; route deviations to the Standards group for disposition and log outcomes in the Standards Exceptions and Deviations tracker.
Log all findings, RFIs, and review outcomes.
Contribute to the QA/QC lessons learned process by identifying recurring defects and trends that should inform checklist updates, standards clarifications, or reviewer training.
Provide design service provider performance input, including accuracy, completeness, and rework frequency, to support vendor scorecards and quality metrics reporting.
Partner with the QA/QC Engineering Supervisor to validate and refine AI-assisted review tools used to support conversion and distribution package reviews.

Technical Review Scope
The reviewer is expected to independently evaluate conversion and distribution design packages across the following technical areas:
Conductor loading, ampacity, and approved conductor sizes for new construction
Voltage drop and voltage regulation checks for new overhead laterals
Transformer sizing and loading, including flags for oversized or undersized transformers
Fuse sizing and coordination with upstream protective devices
Vertical and horizontal clearance requirements over roadways, driveways, and structures, including where DTE standards are more restrictive than NESC
Pole loading analysis triggers, wind/ice loading zone application, and pole class requirements
Grounding and neutral continuity requirements, including ground rod spacing
4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion-specific equipment and design standard changes
Standards exceptions and non-standard design documentation requirements
Armless versus crossarm…