Sr. Design Engineer - Electric Distribution

ENTRUST Solutions Group is seeking an experienced Sr. Design Engineer – Electric Distribution to support electric distribution projects for our client throughout Chicagoland and Northern Illinois. This position is ideal for an engineering professional with 3+ years of utility or related infrastructure experience who is ready to take greater ownership of complex distribution design projects and contribute technical expertise within a collaborative project team.

This is a hybrid position, with approximately three days per week spent in the client’s office or in the field.

In this role, you will develop and coordinate electric distribution designs supporting system reliability, customer growth, capacity improvements, and infrastructure modernization. You will work directly with engineers, project managers, field personnel, and client stakeholders to move projects from initial scoping and field investigation through detailed design and construction support.

Experience with underground electric distribution systems in the Chicago area is a strong preference for this role.

• Independently develop overhead and underground electric distribution designs for residential, commercial, industrial, and system improvement projects.
• Produce complete, construction-ready design packages using AutoCAD and other utility design and documentation systems.
• Prepare and review engineering drawings, layouts, specifications, material requirements, cost estimates, and construction documentation.
• Evaluate field conditions and develop practical engineering solutions that meet applicable utility standards and project requirements.
• Design electric service extensions and system improvements supporting new customer connections, load growth, reliability, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Apply client design standards, NESC requirements, engineering practices, and safety requirements throughout project development.
• Coordinate with project managers, engineers, designers, field personnel, construction teams, permitting agencies, and other stakeholders.
• Perform engineering calculations, material takeoffs, cost estimates, and technical evaluations.
• Support project scoping, planning, scheduling, constructability reviews, and design coordination.
• Conduct field investigations and site visits to obtain measurements, verify existing conditions, and identify potential design or construction constraints.
• Coordinate permitting, easements, right-of-way considerations, and construction support as required.
• Review designs for technical accuracy, constructability, quality, and compliance with client standards.
• Identify design issues and recommend solutions to help maintain project schedules, budgets, and client expectations.
• Provide technical guidance and support to less-experienced designers or project team members as appropriate.

• Underground conversions of existing overhead electric facilities.
• Design and modification of underground primary and secondary distribution systems.
• Cable routing and equipment layouts involving transformers, switch gear, handholes, manholes, and associated distribution equipment.
• Replacement or modernization of aging underground distribution infrastructure.

• Electric distribution designs serving new residential subdivisions, multifamily developments, commercial facilities, and industrial customers.
• Extensions of overhead and underground primary distribution systems to accommodate new customer load.
• Coordination of service requirements with customers, developers, and project stakeholders.

• Pole replacement and infrastructure renewal programs.
• Conductor upgrades and reconductoring projects.
• Feeder…