Power Distribution Lead Engineer

Westwood Professional Services; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. seeks a Lead Power Distribution Engineer to lead the electric distribution design team on projects from quick turns to large, complex lines.

You will mentor younger engineers and ensure designs meet NESC, NEC, ASCE, and utility standards while interfacing with planning, permitting, environmental, and construction management. You will guide plan reviews, price estimates, and schedules, manage multiple projects, and maintain strong client relationships across

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited electrical engineering degree required.
• 6+ years of power distribution design experience.
• Must be local to Chicago/ComEd territory and able to work in-office daily.
• Experience leading project teams and ensuring design quality and compliance.
• Knowledge of NESC, NEC, ASCE, IEEE and utility standards.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD/MicroStation and GIS tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical staff in utility design, cost estimates, and customer billing.
• Manage multiple projects from 120V to 34.5kV with schedules and pricing.
• Coordinate reviews and interface with planning, environmental, permitting, and construction management.
• Develop policies and procedures with department management.
• Maintain strong client relationships with stakeholders and partners.

Skills

Team leadership

Project management

Scheduling

Resource allocation

Mentoring

Client relations

Communication

Collaboration

Education

ABET-accredited Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Smallworld

GIS

Work Management software

Job description

Job Type

Full-time

Description

Westwood Professional Services, Inc is currently searching for a Lead Power Distribution Engineer who will be a part of the electric distribution design team and will be responsible for leading teams that are designing multiple projects ranging from small "quick turn-around" to large complex distribution lines. This position provides the opportunity to directly apply your leadership experience and knowledge of distribution lines to assure the successful execution of a wide variety of projects.

As a Lead Engineer you will guide younger engineers in the application of NESC, NEC, ASCE, and Utility standards of engineering design. Lead engineer will conduct the reviews of plans and specifications, material lists, and construction documents. This role will serve to interface between the Distribution Engineering group and other stakeholders such as project planning, environmental, permitting, and construction management.

Requirements

• Lead technical staff in the preparation of utility engineering designs, cost estimates, and customer billing.
• Manage the engineering aspects of multiple projects ranging from 120V to 34.5kV.
• Ability to develop project schedules and pricing
• Resource allocation of technical staff for projects and daily work.
• Assist in the development of technical staff through training, mentoring, instructing technical engineering principles, and governing electrical and safety codes.
• Manage and/or provide guidance on professional communications for both internal and external stakeholders.
• Conduct and coordinate internal/external reviews of designs.
• Collaborate with the department management to develop, evaluate, and implement new policies and procedures which reflect best engineering practices.
• Collaborate with other departments and divisions on company-wide initiatives.
• Maintain great relationships with our existing clients, stakeholders, and strategic partners.

Skills and Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil/Structural or Electrical, Engineering from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
• 6+ years of experience in Power Distribution Design.
• Must be local to Chicago/ComEd territory and have the ability to work in an office setting daily
• Professional disposition and the ability to be open-minded when it comes to planning and execution of projects being worked by staff.
• Must be able to effectively lead a project team of Engineers & Engineering Technicians while maintaining work product quality, consistency, accuracy, and reliability.
• Experience providing technical direction for a department/organization in field of expertise.
• Advanced knowledge of ComEd overhead & underground Distribution facilities and standards.
• Experience with NESC, ASCE, IEEE, and other industry-relevant standards
• Proficiency in AutoCAD/MicroStation, Smallword or other relevant GIS systems, and AS8 or other relevant Work Management software's.
• Proficiency in MS Office Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)

For Preferred Consideration (Not Required)

• Active PE licensure

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc. (Westwood)

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.

Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative "One Team" mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do.

We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision.

We are partners in our clients' success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference. Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make.

We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

Join us in creating a better world.

In 2024, Zweig Group ranked Westwood nationally at #13 and #40, respectively, on its Hot Firms and Best Firms to Work for lists. Zweig also awarded Westwood one national 1st place award for Marketing Excellence. Westwood was recently recognized as #83 in the ENR Top 500 Firms in 2024. The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.

Westwood provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local laws. We believe that diverse backgrounds strengthen our business. This policy applies to all terms and conditions of employment, including recruiting, hiring, placement, promotion, termination, layoff, recall, transfer, leaves of absence, compensation, and training.

Westwood offers a full suite of competitive benefits, including medical, dental, and vision insurance; Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution; company-paid life and AD&D insurance; short- and long-term disability coverage; and an Employee Assistance Program (EAP). Employees are also eligible for a 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and paid medical and family leave benefits in accordance with applicable state law.

• including medical, dental, and vision insurance
• Health Savings Account (HSA) with employer contribution
• company-paid life and AD&D insurance
• short- and long-term disability coverage
• an Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
• Employees are also eligible for a 401(k) with employer match, paid time off, paid holidays, tuition reimbursement, and paid medical and family leave benefits in accordance with applicable state law