Distribution Engineer

Leidos • Walled Lake, MI

3d • $73,450 - $132,775 • Hybrid

About The Position

Leidos is seeking a Distribution Engineer / Designer in Walled Lake, Michigan, to perform electric utility distribution design engineering, primarily for underground (UG) and Underground Residential Distribution (URD) systems. The position develops detailed design packages for new installations, system upgrades, service extensions, relocations, and infrastructure improvements. Designs may include primary and secondary cables, conduit systems, duct banks, manholes, handholes, vaults, transformers, and associated equipment.

The role uses customer GIS and Work Management Systems to develop engineering work packages, perform routing and design calculations, coordinate with utilities and other stakeholders, and prepare construction documentation. The engineer reviews designs with utility customers, manages assigned scope, schedules, and budgets, and collaborates with internal teams, permitting agencies, and construction personnel. Work takes place in both field and office environments, including site visits and field data collection.

The 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 across the customer territory in Michigan as needed. Leidos describes a fast-paced, diverse work environment with flexible work hours and arrangements, and career development opportunities including PE, PMP, 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 applicable 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 design engineering for electric utility customers, primarily for underground and URD systems.
• Develop detailed engineering design packages for underground electric distribution installations, upgrades, service extensions, relocations, and infrastructure improvements.
• Design underground distribution systems with primary and secondary 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.
• Develop complex underground distribution design packages for urban, suburban, and residential environments.
• Support cable sizing, cable-pulling calculations, voltage-drop, equipment-loading, and electrical-clearance activities.
• Assist with 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 applicable 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.

Benefits

• Flexible work hours and work arrangements
• Career development and growth opportunities, including PE and PMP development, leadership training, formal mentorship programs, and management opportunities

What This Job Offers

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