Design Technician - Electric Distribution

ENTRUST Solutions Group, A Leidos Company; Chicago, Lisle (IL, IL); On-site; USD 28,000 - 39,000; Full time

Job summary

ENTRUST Solutions Group, a Leidos company, is seeking a Design Technician to support distribution design projects for a major electric utility in the Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois area. Entry-level to experienced candidates welcomed; preferred underground distribution experience and CAD/drafting background.

You will develop drawings using CAD, GIS, and DDS, assist with field verification, production of construction-ready packages, and coordinate with engineers, project managers, and

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Entry-level through experienced candidates will be considered.
• Technical aptitude and an 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 the ability to accurately document technical and field information.
• Comfortable 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.

Responsibilities

• Support the design of overhead and underground electric distribution facilities, with significant 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 the design of underground facilities including cable routes, conduit systems, transformers, switchgear, handholes, manholes, and other associated equipment.
• Support projects involving new electric service, system extensions, equipment replacements, reliability improvements, relocations, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Gather and organize field information necessary to develop accurate designs.
• Conduct field visits and site investigations to document existing conditions, verify equipment locations, take measurements, and identify potential 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.
• Work 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%.

Skills

CAD drafting

GIS

AutoCAD

MicroStation

DDS

O-Calc

SPIDACalc

Education

Engineering technology degree

CAD/drafting background

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

DDS

GIS

O-Calc

SPIDACalc

Job description

At ENTRUST Solutions Group, a Leidos company, we partner with leading utilities to design and deliver the safe, reliable infrastructure that powers communities. We’re growing our Electric Projects & Programs team and are looking for a Design Technician to support distribution design projects for a major electric utility in the Greater Chicago and Northern Illinois area.

We are open to candidates ranging from entry-level technical professionals to experienced utility designers. Previous electric distribution experience is strongly preferred, particularly experience supporting underground distribution projects, but we also welcome candidates with relevant CAD, drafting, engineering technology, construction, or utility infrastructure backgrounds who are interested in growing their careers in electric distribution.

This position is a great fit for someone who enjoys technical problem solving, working with both office and field teams, and seeing designs progress from initial concepts through construction.

What You’ll Do

As a Design Technician, you’ll support the development of overhead and underground electric distribution projects, working closely with designers, engineers, project managers, field personnel, and our utility client.

In this role, you will:

• Support the design of overhead and underground electric distribution facilities, with significant 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 the design of underground facilities including cable routes, conduit systems, transformers, switchgear, handholes, manholes, and other associated equipment.
• Support projects involving new electric service, system extensions, equipment replacements, reliability improvements, relocations, and infrastructure upgrades.
• Gather and organize field information necessary to develop accurate designs.
• Conduct field visits and site investigations to document existing conditions, verify equipment locations, take measurements, and identify potential 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.
• Work 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%.

Examples of Projects You May Support

• New underground electric service for residential and commercial customers.
• Underground primary and secondary cable installations.
• Underground conversions of existing overhead distribution facilities.
• Transformer, switchgear, handhole, manhole, conduit, and cable routing projects.
• Replacement or relocation of aging underground electric infrastructure.

New Service & Customer Growth

• Electric service for new residential subdivisions and multifamily developments.
• Commercial and industrial service extensions.
• Distribution system extensions required to accommodate new customer loads.

Reliability & Infrastructure Improvements

• Pole and equipment replacement projects.
• Conductor and cable replacement.
• Distribution facility relocations.
• Feeder and system reliability improvements.
• Infrastructure upgrades designed to reduce outage risk and improve system performance.

System Modernization

• Replacement of aging distribution equipment.
• Distribution capacity improvements.
• Infrastructure upgrades supporting long-term utility modernization and resiliency programs.

What We’re Looking For

• High school diploma or equivalent required.
• Entry-level through experienced candidates will be considered.
• Technical aptitude and an 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 the ability to accurately document technical and field information.
• Comfortable 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.

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous electric distribution design experience is strongly preferred.
• Underground electric distribution experience is highly preferred.
• 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.

Ideal Candidate Profile

We're looking for someone who is detail-oriented, technically curious, and interested in building or continuing a career in electric distribution design.

For an entry-level candidate, that could mean having a strong CAD, drafting, engineering technology, construction, or technical foundation with an interest in learning electric distribution systems.

For an experienced candidate, we're particularly interested in professionals with hands-on electric distribution design experience, especially those who have worked on underground distribution projects and understand how utility designs move from field investigation through design and construction.

Most importantly, we’re looking for someone who can work collaboratively, communicate effectively, learn client-specific standards, and help deliver high-quality designs that support safe and reliable electric service.

Why Join Us?

At ENTRUST Solutions Group, a Leidos company, we are driven by a commitment to innovation, technical excellence, and delivering the critical infrastructure that powers and connects communities. Together with Leidos, we are building a scaled, end-to-end energy and infrastructure organization focused on modernizing the grid, improving reliability, and helping utilities and network providers meet rising demand.

As an ENR top ranked firm, our team of more than 5,000 professionals brings deep technical expertise and advanced technology across electric, gas, and telecommunications infrastructure. We solve complex challenges for clients across North America and expanding markets, helping them strengthen reliability, expand capacity, and adapt to evolving infrastructure needs.

We foster a culture where innovation, collaboration, and continuous improvement are expected, and where people are empowered to challenge convention, think boldly, and make an impact. Whether you are looking to grow your expertise, lead transformative projects, or help shape the future of infrastructure, you will find opportunities to thrive here.

If you are ready to outthink the status quo, tackle meaningful challenges, and build what is next, we would love to hear from you.

The hourly rate for this position ranges from $20.00 - 28.00. The specific amount within this range will be influenced by the work location and various factors, such as internal equity, professional skills, work experience, and pertinent education or training.

ENTRUST Solutions Group is proud to be an Equal Employment Opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and do not discriminate based on race, religion, color, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, age, veteran status, disability status, or any other applicable characteristics protected by law.