Distribution Engineer

Leidos•Walled Lake, MI

5d•Hybrid

About The Position

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers and Designers in Walled Lake, Michigan, to perform electric utility distribution design engineering, primarily for underground and Underground Residential Distribution (URD) systems. The role develops detailed engineering design packages for new installations, upgrades, service extensions, relocations, and infrastructure improvements. Work includes routing and designing underground cables, conduits, duct banks, manholes, handholes, vaults, transformers, and related equipment, along with design calculations and construction documentation. The engineer uses customer GIS and work management systems to develop work packages, coordinates with utilities and other stakeholders to resolve underground infrastructure conflicts, and supports design reviews, permitting, estimates, and project execution. Assignments may involve complex urban, suburban, and residential conditions, including limited space and challenging field conditions. The position includes both field and office work, such as site visits, field data collection, and verification of existing infrastructure. This position is hybrid, with three remote days and two onsite days at the Walled Lake office. The selected candidate must also be available for in-person meetings and assignments throughout the customer territory in Michigan as needed. Leidos describes a fast-paced, diverse work environment with flexible work hours and arrangements, and opportunities for career development and growth, including PE and PMP development, leadership training, formal mentorship, and management opportunities.

Requirements

At least 2 years of relevant experience in electric utility distribution engineering or design, preferably focused on underground distribution systems.
Experience working directly for an electric utility or utility engineering consulting company performing electric distribution design.
Hands-on experience developing underground distribution design packages, including cable and conduit layouts, equipment placement, and construction documentation.
Familiarity with underground distribution infrastructure, including duct banks, manholes, vaults, pad-mounted transformers, and primary and secondary cable systems.
Working knowledge of electric utility design standards, the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and underground construction requirements.
Understanding of underground distribution engineering principles, including cable sizing, cable pulling calculations, voltage drop, equipment loading, and electrical clearances.
Ability to interpret utility drawings, construction plans, GIS data, and existing underground utility information.
Strong organizational, problem-solving, written, verbal, and interpersonal communication skills.
Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Industrial Engineering preferred; relevant experience or technical certifications may be considered in lieu of a degree.

Nice To Haves

Experience designing complex underground distribution systems in dense urban environments, including underground network or networked distribution systems.
Experience with underground cable routing, conduit sizing, duct bank configurations, and manhole or vault design.
Experience with utility relocations, road improvement projects, service upgrades, and underground infrastructure modernization.
Experience performing cable pulling tension, sidewall pressure, voltage drop, and electrical load calculations.
Experience developing bills of materials, engineering cost estimates, and Contribution in Aid of Construction (CIAC) calculations.
Proficiency with MicroStation, AutoCAD, or other CAD-based tools used for underground electric distribution design.
Experience with utility GIS, work management, and job estimating software.
Experience coordinating with municipalities, permitting agencies, and other utility providers on easements, right-of-way requirements, and construction permits.
Experience supporting underground construction activities, field investigations, constructability reviews, and resolution of field design conflicts.

Responsibilities

Perform electric utility distribution design engineering, primarily for underground and URD systems.
Develop engineering design packages for underground distribution installations, upgrades, service extensions, relocations, and infrastructure improvements.
Design underground distribution systems, including cables, conduits, duct banks, manholes, handholes, vaults, transformers, and associated equipment.
Develop engineering work packages using customer GIS and work management systems.
Perform underground cable and conduit routing, equipment placement, and design calculations.
Coordinate with other utilities and stakeholders to identify and resolve conflicts involving existing underground infrastructure.
Support cable sizing, cable pulling, voltage drop, equipment loading, and electrical clearance engineering activities.
Assist in preparing construction drawings, material lists, cost estimates, work permits, easements, and right-of-way applications.
Review design packages with utility customers and coordinate modifications based on feedback, construction requirements, and standards.
Manage assigned project scope, schedules, and budgets while meeting quality standards and client deliverable expectations.
Collaborate with engineering teams, utility representatives, permitting agencies, and construction personnel to support project execution.
Identify opportunities to improve design workflows, processes, and deliverable quality.
Conduct site visits, collect field data, verify existing underground infrastructure, and support design development.
Support underground construction activities, field investigations, constructability reviews, and resolution of field design conflicts.