Senior Transmission Line Engineer – Transmission Engineering

KDM Engineering; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Comprehensive benefits package

401(k) plan

Paid time-off

Volunteer leave

Health, dental, and vision insurance

Life insurance

Job summary

KDM Engineering is seeking a Senior Engineer to lead the design of high voltage transmission lines, from planning through construction. You will apply standards like NESC, NEC, and ASCE, perform analyses, prepare specs, and guide project teams.

You will mentor junior staff, review deliverables, and ensure QA/QC while coordinating with environmental and permitting teams to meet client needs and project schedules.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Structural, or Electrical from an ABET-accredited program.
• 5+ years of transmission line engineering experience in consulting or utility environments.
• EIT certification with ability to obtain PE in near term.

Responsibilities

• Design high voltage overhead transmission line projects (34.5kV to 765kV) with routing, structure spotting, and hardware selection.
• Perform advanced structural analysis and foundation design using specialized software.
• Prepare technical specs, bid packages, and assist with bid evaluations for procurements.
• Mentor junior engineers and review peer work to ensure QA/QC of deliverables.
• Coordinate with environmental, permitting, and planning teams and interface with clients.

Skills

Communication skills

Project management

Mentoring

Technical leadership

Client interaction

Education

ABET-accredited engineering program

Tools

PLS-CADD

PLS-Tower

PLS-POLE

CAISSON

SAG10

ArcGIS

MS Office

Job description

Senior Engineer - Transmission

The Senior Engineer will be a part of the electric transmission design team and will be responsible for the engineering and design of multiple projects ranging from small “quick turn-around” to large complex transmission lines. This position provides the opportunity to directly apply your knowledge of transmission lines to engineer and design transmission projects ranging from 34.5kV to 765kV.

As a Senior Engineer you will apply NESC, NEC, ASCE and other applicable standards in engineering design and will independently perform engineering analyses, plans and specifications, as well as material procurement and construction documents, and work with project planning, environmental, permitting, and construction management.

We are seeking a Senior Engineer to join our electric transmission design team to drive the engineering and technical execution of projects from 34.5kV to 500kV. This role offers the opportunity to own varied projects from inception to completion, ensuring strict compliance with NESC, NEC, and ASCE standards. You will independently oversee engineering analyses, material procurement, and construction documentation while partnering closely with environmental, permitting, and project planning teams. As a vital technical leader, you will act as the ultimate subject matter expert and the primary day-to-day contact for our clients.

Salary Range

$120,000 - $150,000 per year

Responsibilities

• Performs all aspects of design of high voltage overhead transmission line projects including but not limited to:
• Line routing, Structure spotting, Structural analysis and design, Foundation design, Hardware selection,
• Conductor and shield wire selection, Material specifications, and technical support during construction,
• Plans and design overhead transmission lines, including right of way requirements, structure spotting, line configurations, hardware requirements, structure alternatives, and foundation options.
• Develop technical specifications, prepare bid documents, and assist clients with bid and evaluation processes, including structure procurement and construction services.
• Prepare and review design documents for construction, including plan & profiles, structure load tree drawings, structure framing, bill of materials and foundations design drawings.
• Demonstrates ability to understand and interpret geotechnical reports and extrapolate information needed for foundation design software including L-PILE and MFAD.
• Leverages experience by mentoring and training lower-level professionals including top graduates entering the
• field of transmission line design.
• Reviews lower-level engineering work or assignments.
• Keenly focused on production of high-quality work and supports continuous improvement efforts.
• Understands client interests and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work.
• Serves as an overhead transmission line design technical specialist and has knowledge and skillset to provide consultation and guidance to project teams.
• Executes comprehensive engineering design for high-voltage (HV/EHV) overhead transmission line projects, encompassing routing, PLS-CADD modeling, structure spotting, and hardware/conductor selection.
• Performs advanced structural analysis, structure framing optimization, and foundation design utilizing specialized industry software.
• Establishes line design parameters based on NESC, ASCE, IEEE, and client-specific criteria, including right-of-way (ROW) constraints, clearances, and loading conditions.
• Authors detailed technical specifications and construction bid packages; leads technical bid evaluations (TBE) for structure procurement and construction services.
• Prepares and seals engineering deliverables, including plan and profile drawings, structure load trees, framing diagrams, bills of materials (BOM), and foundation construction drawings.
• Interprets complex geotechnical reports to extract and derive parametric inputs for specialized foundation engineering software, specifically L-PILE and MFAD.
• Provides comprehensive engineering support during construction (EDC), including reviewing contractor submittals, responding to RFIs, and resolving field-originated design modifications.
• Acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Technical Advisor, providing strategic consulting to project teams and interfacing directly with clients to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Drives Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) compliance, peer-reviewing technical deliverables produced by junior staff to ensure engineering integrity.
• Mentors and accelerates the professional development of junior engineers and recent graduates in transmission line design principles and workflows.

Preferred Job Qualifications

• Requires Bachelor’s Degree (Civil, Structural, or Electrical) from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
• 5+ years of relevant experience as a Transmission Line Engineer in consulting or utility environment.
• EIT Certificate with ability to acquire PE in the near term.
• Proficiency with MS Office Software including WORD, EXCEL, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Proficiency in Power Line Systems Software and other programs, including PLS-CADD, PLS-Tower, PLS-POLE, CAISSON, SAG10, and ArcGIS.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, management, and design team through excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong understanding of project management principles.

For Preferred Consideration (Not Required)

• A Professional Engineering License in the US is strongly preferred.
• Experience managing projects.
• A proven ability to work with limited supervision and guidance to execute and meet multiple project commitments

Additional Requirements

• Must be willing to comply with all pre-employment screening, including but not limited to, drug testing, reference verification, education and employment verification, and background screening
• Must be legally authorized to work in the U.S.
• Possess a valid Driver’s License

Why Choose KDM Engineering

Established in 2012 on a promise to alter the face of engineering, KDM Engineering has built a reputation of excellence in providing outstanding technical services, maintaining the highest standards of safety and quality assurance, and offering a truly inclusive work environment.

Our clients and partners in the public and private sectors consistently recognize KDM for our responsiveness to their needs, budgets, and schedules. Our peers distinguished KDM with Edison Electric Institute's Diverse Supplier Award, Capital One and Women Presidents’ Organization’s (WPO) 50 Fastest Growing Women-Owned/Led Companies, and Chicago’s Best and Brightest Companies to Work.

Our talented, experienced team delivers exceptional engineering designs, project management, and customer support services to each of our projects. Our enduring commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion is unmatched in our industry. Because our team comes from different backgrounds, cultures, and experiences, we bring uniquely different and diverse perspectives to solving complex engineering problems.

Top Reasons To Work For Us

• Challenging and Meaningful Work
• Competitive Base Salary
• Comprehensive Benefits Package
• Company Paid Holidays
• Great Work-Life Balance
• Fun and Flexible Work Environment
• Organization with People-First Mentality
• Dynamic Leadership Team
• A Culture that Values Your Input

Full List Of Benefits & Perks

• Positive team environment
• Competitive salaries
• Flexible schedules
• Growth opportunities
• Training and professional development
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• 401(k)
• Life, long-term disability, and short-term disability insurances
• Paid time-off.
• Paid holidays.
• Volunteer leave
• HSA
• Transit program
• Parental and maternity leave
• Supportive management
• Professional development assistance
• Employee discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Quarterly team-building outings
• Laidback office culture, including pool table, arcade games, and happy hour
• Meditation space, nap room, and nursing mothers’ room.

Equal Employment Opportunity

KDM Engineering strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.

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