Associate Project Designer (Suffolk, Hybrid)

Dominion Energy • Suffolk, VA

5d • $58,700 - $76,200 • Hybrid

About The Position

The Associate Project Designer is an entry-level role in a progressive series of technical positions within Electric Distribution Design. Through structured training and hands-on experience, the designer manages 25–75 projects from inception through release. Projects may involve new construction, replacement, or relocation of electric distribution facilities, including fiber. The role applies engineering principles and accounts for equipment and labor to estimate project timelines and costs.

The designer serves as the assigned point of contact throughout the design process, communicating company policies and procedures, electric service requirements, applicable state, county, and regulatory codes, project timelines, and status updates to internal and external stakeholders. The role includes inspecting job sites and making facility placement decisions based on safety, accessibility, and operational needs. It also involves preparing underground agreements, billing authorities, and revenue calculations, and coordinating right-of-way, environmental, highway, railroad, and easement permits to ensure compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines. The designer coordinates the installation or relocation of other utilities, such as cable television and telephone services.

The position assists with storm restoration by driving, patrolling, and scouting damaged locations and digitally collecting information. Storm restoration work may be local, regional, or mutual aid. For DESC only, storm restoration duties may also include creating switching orders as needed to respond to field conditions, troubleshooting lines, restoring power, field switching, holding clearance, and obtaining material lists.

The role follows a hybrid 3-2 schedule: three days in the office and two days teleworking. Working conditions include office work 51–75% of the time, outdoor work 26–50% of the time, and travel up to 25%.

Requirements

• 0–2+ years of related experience.
• Basic knowledge of electric distribution design, electricity, company policies and procedures, and personal computer skills.
• Verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills.
• Ability to learn concepts, technical tools, and programs.
• Time-management and organizational skills.
• Project-management skills.
• Math and technical aptitude.
• Ability to interact effectively with customers and team members.
• Attention to detail.
• Physical ability to perform essential functions, including prolonged walking over varying terrain, climbing, stooping, bending, and prolonged standing and sitting.
• An associate degree or an equivalent combination of education and demonstrated related experience may be accepted in lieu of the preferred education level.

Nice To Haves

• Associate-level education in Technical Studies, Project Construction, or Business Administration, or an Electrical Design certificate from a two-year college partnership.
• Other disciplines may be substituted for the listed preferred disciplines.

Responsibilities

• Manage 25–75 projects from inception through project release using engineering principles and estimating project timelines and costs based on equipment and labor.
• Serve as the assigned point of contact throughout the project design process.
• Communicate company policies and procedures, electric service requirements, applicable codes, project timelines, and status updates to internal and external stakeholders.
• Inspect job sites and determine facility placement based on safety, accessibility, and operational needs.
• Prepare underground agreements, billing authorities, and revenue calculations.
• Coordinate right-of-way, environmental, highway, railroad, and easement permits to support compliance with local, state, and federal guidelines.
• Coordinate installation or relocation of other utilities, including cable television and telephone services.
• Assist with storm restoration by driving, patrolling, and scouting damaged locations and digitally collecting information.
• For DESC only, assist with storm restoration by creating switching orders, troubleshooting lines, restoring power, performing field switching, holding clearance, and obtaining material lists.

Benefits

• Health, dental, and vision benefits with coverage for families and domestic partners.
• Vacation.
• Retirement plans, including 401(k) contributions and matching.
• Paid holidays.
• Tuition reimbursement.
• Bonus eligibility.
• Sick leave.
• Disability insurance.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: Associate degree