Design Engineer

Helix Electric • San Diego, CA

8h • Hybrid

About The Position

The Design Engineer supports the development and delivery of electrical design-build projects from concept and budgeting through permitting, construction, and closeout. This position prepares practical, code-compliant, and cost-effective electrical designs while coordinating with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, vendors, subcontractors, the VDC/BIM team, and Helix operations. The Design Engineer serves as a technical resource throughout the project lifecycle and supports seamless handoff from design and preconstruction to field execution.

Requirements

• Strong knowledge of electrical construction and design-build practices.
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code and applicable local requirements.
• Analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to solve technical and project-related problems.
• Strong attention to detail, organization, follow-through, and quality control.
• Clear written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to coordinate effectively with field personnel, clients, consultants, vendors, subcontractors, and internal teams.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, changing requirements, and competing deadlines.
• Self-motivated, collaborative, service-oriented, and accountable.
• Ability to explain technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Architectural Engineering, or a related field preferred.
• Experience supporting commercial electrical design, design-build, construction, or engineering projects preferred.
• Working knowledge of electrical design fundamentals and code-compliant design practices.
• Experience with AutoCAD and Revit required or strongly preferred, depending on level.
• Proficiency with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
• Experience coordinating with field construction teams, general contractors, consultants, vendors, or utilities preferred.

Nice To Haves

• Experience with electrical estimating software such as Accubid, ConEst, McCormick, or comparable platforms preferred.
• EIT, PE, or electrical license is a plus but not required.
• Commercial, mission-critical, industrial, solar, multifamily, or other complex electrical construction projects.
• Projects involving design-build delivery, permit coordination, utility coordination, BIM/VDC collaboration, and construction administration.

Responsibilities

• Review and interpret contract drawings, specifications, owner criteria, applicable codes, and jurisdictional requirements.
• Develop electrical design packages, including power distribution, lighting, branch circuitry, single-line diagrams, equipment layouts, and related design documentation.
• Perform or review fundamental electrical calculations, including load calculations, voltage drop, short-circuit analysis, conduit fill, wire ampacity, and conductor derating.
• Prepare, update, and coordinate drawings and models using AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and other applicable design tools.
• Coordinate electrical designs with architectural, structural, mechanical, civil, utility, and other discipline requirements.
• Participate in design meetings, job walks, pre-bid meetings, coordination meetings, and design reviews with clients, architects, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
• Track design milestones, deliverables, comments, approvals, and open issues to support on-time project execution.
• Coordinate with utility providers regarding service requirements, transformer locations, switchgear, distribution equipment, and applicable utility standards.
• Support estimating and preconstruction by developing design narratives, scope clarifications, budgets, takeoffs, vendor requests, and value-engineering options.
• Collaborate with the Project Manager, Superintendent, Estimating, Purchasing, VDC/BIM, and field teams to confirm constructability, labor needs, material requirements, and schedule impacts.
• Support construction administration, including design revisions, RFIs, submittal reviews, bulletins, addenda, change orders, and responses to field questions.
• Review vendor and subcontractor information for compliance with project requirements, design intent, code, and schedule.
• Assist with permitting, agency comments, plan revisions, inspections, testing, commissioning, as-builts, and closeout documentation.
• Identify design risks, scope gaps, schedule concerns, and cost impacts; communicate issues promptly and recommend practical solutions.
• Maintain organized project records and ensure design documents are accurate, current, and properly distributed.
• Perform other duties as assigned.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level