Make Ready Designer – Power Distribution (Remote)

Sigma Technologies; Allentown (Lehigh County); Remote; USD 85,000 - 110,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

No-cost monthly health plan option

Competitive pay

Premium coverage for medical/dental/vi

401(k) with matching

Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time

Education and licensing assistance

Job summary

Sigma Technologies is seeking an experienced Make Ready Designer to support overhead pole design and joint-use projects for major electric utilities. You will translate field data into construction-ready make-ready designs, applying NESC clearances and evaluating attachment conflicts across distribution infrastructure.

Remote (U.S.) work is offered with occasional travel and a 2-week in-person orientation at Perrysburg, OH.

Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or higher preferred.
• Minimum 2 years in make-ready engineering, joint-use, or electric power distribution design (3+ years preferred).
• Experience with utility pole design, NESC application, clearance analysis, and construction-ready packages.
• Proficiency with CAD or MicroStation; experience with DDS, Katapult, O-Calc is strongly preferred.
• Valid driver's license, auto insurance, and ability to pass background checks.
• Authorization to work in the United States; willingness to travel occasionally.
• Ability to work a standard Monday–Friday schedule aligned to Eastern Time.

Responsibilities

• Complete make-ready and overhead pole design work orders to meet quality, schedule, and budget.
• Review field data, pole information, attachment details, and existing conditions.
• Evaluate joint-use attachments, NESC clearances, pole loading, and required modifications.
• Develop construction-ready make-ready designs including pole transfers, attachments, and guying.
• Apply NESC requirements, engineering guidelines, and client design criteria.
• Perform end-to-end make-ready design and support related overhead distribution work.
• Conduct permitting and easement research including pole ownership and right-of-way.
• Collaborate with project teams to resolve design conflicts and field-data discrepancies.
• Use DDS, Katapult, O-Calc, PoleForeman, AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS, and related systems.
• Support quality-control reviews and additional project responsibilities as assigned.

Skills

Make Ready Engineering

Joint-Use Design

Electric Power Distribution

Utility Pole Design

CAD or MicroStation

DDS

O-Calc

Katapult

Field Data Review

Education

High School Diploma

Associate Degree or higher in Engineering/Drafting

Tools

DDS

Katapult

O-Calc

PoleForeman

AutoCAD

MicroStation

GIS

Job description

Description

Make Ready Designer - Power Distribution

Overhead Utility Pole Design Joint-Use Engineering NESC-Compliant Make-Ready Work

Location: Remote (U.S.)

Are you an experienced Make Ready Designer with a background in overhead utility pole design, joint-use engineering, or electric distribution? Sigma Technologies is looking for experienced designers who understand how to turn field data, utility standards, and existing pole conditions into accurate, construction-ready make-ready designs.

This is a remote opportunity for experienced utility design professionals who want to contribute to meaningful electric and telecommunications infrastructure projects while working with a collaborative, growing team.

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

Sigma Technologies is seeking experienced Make Ready Designers to support engineering programs for major electric and telecommunications utilities.

The primary focus of this position is overhead make-ready and joint-use design, including evaluating existing pole conditions, applying NESC clearance requirements, identifying attachment conflicts and required modifications, performing or interpreting pole-loading analysis, and developing accurate construction-ready design packages.

Strong candidates may come from make-ready, joint-use, or electric distribution design backgrounds, but should have demonstrated experience working with overhead utility poles and distribution infrastructure.

Experience with platforms such as DDS, Katapult, O-Calc, GIS, MicroStation, AutoCAD, PoleForeman, or utility-specific design systems is highly valuable.

Applicants without previous utility pole design, make-ready, joint-use, or electric distribution design experience will not be considered.

Please note: Although this position is remote, all new hires must attend a 2-week paid, in-person orientation at our Perrysburg, Ohio headquarters.

WHAT YOU WILL DO

• Complete make-ready and overhead utility pole design work orders while meeting established quality, schedule, and budget expectations
• Review and interpret field collection and walkout data, pole information, attachment details, and existing utility conditions
• Evaluate joint-use attachments, NESC clearances, pole loading, and required make-ready modifications
• Develop construction-ready make-ready designs, including pole replacements, transfers, attachment adjustments, guying, anchoring, and other required utility modifications
• Apply established NESC requirements, utility construction standards, engineering guidelines, and client-specific design criteria
• Perform end-to-end make-ready and joint-use design and support related overhead distribution design when required
• Conduct applicable permitting and easement research, including pole ownership, right-of-way, property rights, and required approvals
• Collaborate with project teams to resolve design conflicts, field-data discrepancies, and constructability concerns
• Use design platforms such as DDS, Katapult, O-Calc, PoleForeman, AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS, and utility-specific systems
• Perform or support quality-control reviews to ensure accurate and complete deliverables
• Support additional project and design responsibilities as assigned

Requirements

WHAT WE'RE LOOKING FOR

• High school diploma or equivalent required; an associate degree or higher in engineering, drafting, or a related field is preferred
• Minimum 2 years of experience in make-ready engineering, joint-use design, or electric power distribution design (3+ years strongly preferred)
• Proven experience in utility pole design, including NESC application, clearance analysis, pole loading concepts, and preparation of construction-ready design packages
• Proficiency with CAD or MicroStation; experience with DDS, Katapult, O-Calc, or similar utility design platforms is strongly preferred
• Solid understanding of power distribution construction practices, with the ability to learn utility-specific proprietary systems efficiently
• Must hold a valid driver's license, maintain active auto insurance, and pass all required background, drug, and MVR screenings
• Authorization to work in the United States is required
• Willingness to travel occasionally, including minimal overnight travel when project needs require
• Ability to work a standard Monday–Friday schedule aligned to Eastern Time, with Central/Mountain/Pacific adjustments as appropriate

PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS

• Ability to work for extended periods using a computer keyboard, monitor, and telephone
• Ability to prepare and analyze data, review detailed information, and work with design tools requiring close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and focus adjustment
• Ability to communicate effectively through oral and written channels

ABOUT SIGMA TECHNOLOGIES

Sigma Technologies is a growing engineering and design firm with 500+ team members across 30+ states. For over 25 years, we've supported major power and telecommunications utilities with work that directly impacts communities nationwide. Our core values — Safety, Honesty, Truth, and Decency — shape how we work and who we hire. We are TeamSigma.

WHAT WE OFFER

We want our Associates to stay healthy, happy, and secure. We offer a positive work environment with supportive coworkers, managers, and leaders, plus:

• No-cost monthly healthcare plan option for employees
• Competitive pay
• Medical, dental, and vision plans with up to 80% of the premium sponsored by Sigma
• 401(k) plan with matching contributions up to 5% of salary
• Paid holidays, vacation, and sick time
• Education and professional licensing assistance programs

This job advertisement is intended to outline the primary responsibilities and requirements of the role. It is not all-inclusive. Additional duties may be assigned as needed. This ad does not constitute an employment agreement, and job requirements may change based on organizational needs.

Pay is commensurate with experience and education. Sigma is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate based on race, color, gender, sexual preference, gender identity, age, religion, national origin, disability, genetic information, veteran/military status, or any classification protected by law.

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