Distribution & Standards Engineer (MULTIPLE Levels)

ROI Agency; Washington (District of Columbia); On-site; USD 120,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

ROI Agency in Washington, DC area seeks a Distribution & Standards Engineer at Engineer, Senior, or Lead level to drive electrical utility standards and equipment specifications. You will work across engineering, operations, construction, and procurement to ensure safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, and cost-effective system performance.

The role involves reviewing designs, evaluating new technologies, and developing procurement specs.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field and relevant experience.
• Experience with electric utility distribution, transmission, or power delivery systems.
• Read and interpret engineering drawings and equipment specifications.
• Familiarity with electric utility codes and regulatory requirements.
• Strong writing, analytical, and communication skills; ability to collaborate.

Responsibilities

• Develop, maintain, and improve engineering standards, specifications, and design practices.
• Review designs, drawings, and material requirements for standards compliance.
• Evaluate new equipment and technologies for potential use.
• Create technical requirements for procurement of equipment and materials.
• Provide guidance on applying engineering standards to projects.
• Support capital projects through design reviews and compliance assessments.
• Research industry codes (IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, NFPA, OSHA, FERC, NERC) as applicable.
• Analyze equipment performance to improve reliability and lifecycle cost.
• Collaborate with engineers, operations, construction, procurement, and suppliers.
• Provide technical training and mentoring to staff.

Skills

Strong technical writing

Analytical skills

Problem solving

Communication skills

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Master's degree in engineering or related field

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Distribution & Standards Engineer — Engineer / Senior/Lead

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Distribution & Standards Engineer

to support the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, equipment specifications, and design practices for electric utility infrastructure.This position works across engineering, operations, construction, procurement, and other technical teams to ensure electric system standards promote

safety, reliability, regulatory compliance, constructability, and cost-effective system performance

.The position may be filled at the

Engineer, Senior Engineer, or Lead Engineer

level based on experience and technical expertise.

Key Responsibilities

Develop, maintain, and improve engineering standards, specifications, design criteria, and technical practices supporting electric utility systems.Review designs, drawings, construction packages, equipment specifications, and material requirements for compliance with applicable standards.Evaluate new equipment, materials, technologies, and engineering practices for potential implementation.Develop technical requirements and specifications for procurement of utility equipment and materials.Provide technical guidance on the interpretation and application of engineering standards.Support capital projects through design reviews, equipment evaluations, compliance assessments, and implementation.Research and apply relevant industry codes, regulations, and standards, including

IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, NFPA, OSHA, FERC, and NERC

, as applicable.Analyze equipment and material performance to identify opportunities to improve reliability, standardization, lifecycle cost, and operational performance.Partner with engineering, operations, construction, procurement, manufacturers, suppliers, and other stakeholders to resolve technical issues.Support field evaluations, manufacturer reviews, and technical investigations as needed.Provide technical training, knowledge sharing, and mentoring to engineers and other technical personnel.

Engineering Scope

Depending on assignment and experience, responsibilities may involve standards and specifications for:Distribution and transmission structures, conductor, insulators, and line hardwareDistribution transformers, switches, capacitor banks, and related line equipmentSubstation transformers and circuit breakersDistribution and substation switchgearControl and protection-related systemsStation battery and DC systemsOther equipment and materials supporting electric power delivery infrastructure.

Position Levels

EngineerTypically

3+ years of relevant engineering experienceIndependently develops and maintains engineering standards and specifications.Supports equipment and material evaluations, design reviews, procurement specifications, and standards compliance.Provides technical guidance to project and field teams regarding established standards.

Senior / Lead EngineerTypically

6+ years of relevant engineering experienceLeads standards development and complex technical evaluations.Serves as a subject matter resource for distribution and power delivery equipment.Leads design and compliance reviews and provides technical direction across projects.Evaluates equipment alternatives, material substitutions, and emerging technologies.Provides mentoring and technical training to other engineers and technical personnel.

Lead EngineerTypically

10+ years of relevant engineering experienceProvides strategic technical leadership for engineering standards and equipment practices.Leads cross-functional standardization and governance efforts across major infrastructure programs.Serves as a senior subject matter expert on complex engineering, compliance, equipment, and system-performance issues.Guides adoption of emerging technologies, modernization initiatives, and reliability or resilience improvements.Advises engineering and organizational leadership on complex technical issues and long-term standards strategy.

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in

Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline

, or equivalent relevant experience.Experience with electric utility

distribution, transmission, substation, or power delivery systems

.Knowledge of electric system equipment, engineering design practices, and utility construction standards.Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and related technical documentation.Familiarity with applicable electric utility codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.Strong technical writing, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, construction, procurement, suppliers, and other technical stakeholders.Ability to manage multiple technical priorities and work independently.

Preferred Qualifications

Professional Engineer (

PE

) license or Engineer-in-Training (

EIT

) certification.Master's degree in engineering or a related technical field.Experience developing utility engineering standards, equipment specifications, or material standards.Experience with distribution equipment and/or substation equipment.Knowledge of

NERC/FERC requirements

and applicable industry standards.Experience with AutoCAD or similar engineering/design applications.Experience working with equipment manufacturers and suppliers.Utility field or construction experience.

REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications

Bachelor's degree in

Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline

, or equivalent relevant experience.Experience with electric utility

distribution, transmission, substation, or power delivery systems

.Knowledge of electric system equipment, engineering design practices, and utility construction standards.Ability to read and interpret engineering drawings, one-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and related technical documentation.Familiarity with applicable electric utility codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.Strong technical writing, analytical, problem-solving, and communication skills.Ability to collaborate effectively with engineering, operations, construction, procurement, suppliers, and other technical stakeholders.Ability to manage multiple technical priorities and work independently.