Distribution Engineer

Leidos; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 70,000 - 105,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers & Designers in Chicago, IL who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. You'll work with clients to ensure high-quality work, gain exposure to NESC, GIS design training, and field data collection.

The role is hybrid, with 3 days in-office and 2 days remote, offering opportunities to coordinate complex cable/conduit packages in dense urban environments.

Qualifications

• Requires NESC knowledge and strong technical foundation.
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Industrial engineering or related field.
• Experience in design engineering for electric utility projects preferred.
• Ability to coordinate with clients and manage multiple work packages.

Responsibilities

• Design engineering for electric utility customers.
• Develop work packages for OH, UG, URD, and Make Ready using GIS/WMS systems.
• Manage scope, schedule, and budget of assigned work.
• Perform planning, tasks, and client follow-up.
• Analyze scope and maintain schedule adherence to client priorities.
• Drive continuous improvement in workflow to ensure quality deliverables.
• Coordinate conflicting utilities and large design packages in urban environments.
• Occasional field visits to collect data for packages.

Skills

NESC knowledge

Strong communication

Field data collection

Team collaboration

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Civil/Industrial

Tools

GIS design tools

Pole Foreman

Pull Planner

Katapult

CAD

MicroStation

ArcGIS

Maximo

Job description

At Leidos , the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that provide them with an opportunity to thrive, professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business.

Leidos is seeking Distribution Engineers & Designers in Chicago, IL who are passionate about electric utility design engineering. We're looking for someone who is dedicated to ensuring that every project, no matter how simple or complex, is of exceptional quality. You'll be working directly with clients to make sure that Leidos' reputation for high-quality work is always maintained. If you join us in this role, you'll gain expertise in a variety of areas, including NESC, Structural Pole Modeling, Electrical Power Calculations, GIS design training, Field Data Collection, and Client Design Standards. Your greatest work is ahead!

This position is hybrid in nature, where 3 days/week are spent working in our office, collaborating with internal teams, and 2 days/week can be spent working remotely.

As a Distribution Engineer / Designer, you can expect to:

• Perform design engineering for Leidos electric utility customers
• Develop work packages for OH, UG, URD, and Make Ready, using customer GIS and WMS systems such as EFD, AUD, Smallworld, ArcGIS, Infor, EAM, STORMS, and Maximo
• Manage scope, schedule, and budget of work assigned.
• Perform functional tasks, planning, and/or customer follow-up
• Perform scope analysis of work assigned and maintain schedule adherence to advocate client priorities
• Initiate continuous improvement to workflow processes that drive efficiency and high-quality standards in client design deliverables
• Gain experience in coordinating conflicting utilities and other field engineering design requirements, assessing and developing large design packages for complex cable/conduit projects in dense urban environments, work permit development, easements, and ROW applications
• Be comfortable in both a field and office setting: the role may require local or regional customer-site visits to collect field data that will assist in developing work packages

What Sets You Apart (Background Requirements):

• 2+ years of prior relevant experience is required.
• Bachelor's Degree (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or Industrial preferred); additional relevant experience/certifications may be considered in lieu of bachelor's degree
• Experience and demonstrated proficiency with the National Electric Safety Code (NESC)
• Some Prior experience with structural analysis, guying calcs, cable pulling calcs, coordination of protective devices, and electric demand and fault currents calculations.
• Ability to provide your own reliable transportation, as some local or regional customer-related travel is anticipated (Job-related travel Will be reimbursed at IRS-approved rates).
• Ability to demonstrate strong written, verbal and interpersonal communications skills

You Might Also Have Some previous experience with:

• Providing estimated costs, development of a BOM, calculating the CIAC.
• Design tools such as Pole Foreman, Pull Planner, and Katapult.
• Work management software and job estimating software.
• CAD or MicroStation - performing Electrical Distribution design.

Professional Attributes that will help you succeed in this role:

• Collaborative attitude and inclusivity of individuals of diverse backgrounds and geographic locations.
• Ability to work with limited supervision
• Positive attitude
• Professional dress and demeanor

At Leidos , we pride ourselves on being a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Our Power Delivery Services Team is the go-to for utilities and mobile operators who need reliable power and telecommunication expertise. We've worked with over 50 investor-owned utilities, over 160 municipals/cooperatives, and we're continuing to expand our reach. Plus, we've got an amazing group of industry-leading construction partners who help us deliver meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader has been confirmed time and time again. Engineering News-Record (ENR) has ranked Leidos among the Top 10 T&D Firms and Top 10 Power Firms.

As a valued team member, you can look forward to a fast paced, diverse work environment and flexible work hours/work arrangements, as well as managers who will encourage career development and growth opportunities, including Professional Engineer License (PE) , Project Management Professional (PMP) , Leadership training, Formal Mentorship Programs, Management opportunities.

PDSDLINE PowerDelivery

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting: September 23, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos re