Design Technician - Electric Distribution

ENTRUST • Chicago, IL

6d • Hybrid

About The Position

ENTRUST Solutions Group, a Leidos company, is hiring a Design Technician to support overhead and underground electric distribution design projects for a major electric utility in the Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois area. The role is open to candidates ranging from entry-level technical professionals to experienced utility designers. Prior electric distribution experience is strongly preferred, especially underground distribution design, but candidates with relevant CAD, drafting, engineering technology, construction, or utility infrastructure backgrounds are also welcome.

The Design Technician works with designers, engineers, project managers, field personnel, construction teams, and utility client representatives to develop designs from initial concepts through construction. The work includes producing and updating drawings and construction packages, gathering and documenting field information, supporting estimates and permits, maintaining utility records, and helping resolve design and construction issues. Local travel for fieldwork and project coordination is approximately 20%.

Projects may involve underground distribution installations and conversions; new residential, commercial, and industrial electric service; system extensions; equipment replacement and relocation; reliability improvements; and infrastructure modernization. The hourly rate is $20.00–$28.00, with the specific rate influenced by work location and factors such as internal equity, skills, experience, and education or training.

Requirements

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Technical aptitude and interest in electric utility design, engineering, construction, or infrastructure.
• Ability to read, interpret, and develop technical drawings, maps, sketches, and construction documentation.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to accurately document technical and field information.
• Comfort working in both office and field environments.
• Ability to manage multiple assignments and work effectively as part of a project team.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel locally for field and project activities.

Nice To Haves

• Previous electric distribution design experience, particularly underground distribution experience.
• Experience supporting underground facilities involving cable, conduit, transformers, switchgear, handholes, manholes, or similar distribution equipment.
• Experience with overhead electric distribution systems.
• Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation, Distribution Design Studio (DDS), GIS, O-Calc, SPIDACalc, or similar utility design applications.
• Associate's or Bachelor's degree in engineering technology, CAD/drafting, design technology, construction technology, engineering, or a related technical field.
• Previous experience with an electric utility, utility engineering consultant, utility contractor, electric cooperative, or infrastructure organization.
• Knowledge of utility construction practices, permitting, easements, rights-of-way, or design standards.
• Experience developing drawings or construction-ready design packages.

Responsibilities

• Support the design of overhead and underground electric distribution facilities, with opportunities to work on underground projects.
• Develop and update design drawings, layouts, sketches, maps, and construction-ready packages using CAD, GIS, and utility-specific design systems.
• Assist with underground facility designs, including cable routes, conduit systems, transformers, switchgear, handholes, manholes, and related equipment.
• Support projects involving new electric service, system extensions, equipment replacements, reliability improvements, relocations, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Gather and organize field information needed to develop accurate designs.
• Conduct field visits and site investigations to document existing conditions, verify equipment locations, take measurements, and identify project constraints.
• Assist with material takeoffs, cost estimates, bills of material, and construction documentation.
• Prepare and maintain plans, specifications, reports, diagrams, records, and other technical documentation.
• Support permit applications and submittals and assist with coordination with municipalities and other agencies.
• Update GIS, mapping, and utility records as required.
• Collaborate with engineers, designers, field personnel, construction teams, and client representatives to resolve design and field-related issues.
• Track assigned projects and help ensure designs and deliverables meet quality requirements and project schedules.
• Support construction activities through field verification, design revisions, and issue resolution.
• Travel locally for fieldwork and project coordination as needed, approximately 20%.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Entry Level
• Education Level: High school or GED