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Distribution Design Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Eaton's ES AMER ESS division is currently seeking a Lead Power Distribution Design Engineer. The expected annual salary range for this role is $97000 - $143000 a year. Please note the salary ...

S. based) FLSA Classification Exempt Orbital Engineering, Inc. is currently seeking a Distribution Design Supervisor for a remote work position. This position requires experience with both Joint Use ...

Distribution Design Associate

Collinsville, IL · On-site

$60.20K - $110.20K/yr

Under the direction of Supervising Engineers/Supervisors Distribution Design, represent the Company to design projects to meet internal and external requirements. *Provide engineering services on ...

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How much do distribution design engineer jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for distribution design engineer in the United States is $44.03, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $34.86 and $51.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Distribution Design Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Distribution Design Engineer, you need a strong background in electrical engineering principles, utility standards, and power distribution, typically supported by a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with CAD software, GIS systems, and industry-specific design tools, as well as knowledge of regulatory codes and sometimes a Professional Engineer (PE) license, is often required. Excellent problem-solving skills, attention to detail, and effective communication with cross-functional teams and clients are vital soft skills. These competencies ensure reliable and cost-effective design solutions that meet safety standards and client requirements in power distribution projects.

What are common challenges faced by Distribution Design Engineers in utility projects?

Distribution Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as balancing cost-effective solutions with regulatory compliance, accommodating evolving load demands, and coordinating with multiple stakeholders like utility companies, contractors, and local authorities. They must also stay updated with new technologies and materials while ensuring the safety and reliability of the distribution network. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as project requirements and field conditions can change unexpectedly.

What are Distribution Design Engineers?

Distribution Design Engineers are professionals who plan, design, and oversee the construction and maintenance of electrical power distribution systems. They ensure that electricity is delivered efficiently and safely from substations to homes, businesses, and other end-users. Their work includes evaluating project requirements, preparing technical drawings, selecting appropriate materials, and ensuring compliance with industry standards and regulations. These engineers often collaborate with utility companies, contractors, and regulatory agencies to optimize the reliability and performance of power distribution networks.

What is the difference between Distribution Design Engineer vs Power Systems Engineer?

AspectDistribution Design EngineerPower Systems Engineer
CredentialsBachelor's in Electrical Engineering, PE license often preferredBachelor's or Master's in Electrical Engineering, PE license common
Work EnvironmentDesigning electrical distribution systems for utilities and infrastructureAnalyzing and optimizing power grids and large-scale electrical systems
Industry UsageUtility companies, infrastructure projectsPower generation, transmission, and large-scale grid management

The Distribution Design Engineer primarily focuses on designing electrical distribution systems for utilities and infrastructure projects, ensuring reliable power delivery at the local level. In contrast, the Power Systems Engineer works on the broader power grid, analyzing and optimizing large-scale electrical systems. Both roles require similar credentials and often overlap in industry usage, but their scope and focus differ significantly.

More about Distribution Design Engineer jobs
What states have the most Distribution Design Engineer jobs? States with the most job openings for Distribution Design Engineer jobs include:
Infographic showing various Distribution Design Engineer job openings in the United States as of May 2026, with employment types broken down into 84% Full Time, 15% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 86% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,574 per year, or $44 per hour.
Senior Power Distribution Design Engineer

Senior Power Distribution Design Engineer

Eaton

Chicago, IL • On-site

$86K - $126K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Retirement

Posted 2 days ago


Eaton rating

7.6

Company rating: 7.6 out of 10

Based on 204 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

217th of 515 rated manufacturers


Job description

Eaton's ES AMER ESS division is currently seeking a Senior Power Distribution Design Engineer. The Lead Design Engineer (LDE) is responsible for leading design deliverables to maintain project schedule, design budget, design accuracy, and submittal completeness working in concert with a broader execution team. The LDE is charged with value added engineering to provide a quality product while driving efficiencies. This is a fully remote position for candidates living near Chicago, IL or Wilsonville, OR with 10% travel.
The expected annual salary range for this role is $86000 - $126000 a year. Please note the salary information shown above is a general guideline only. Salaries are based upon candidate skills, experience, and qualifications, as well as market and business considerations.
What you'll do:
The purpose of this position is to provide design engineering services instrumental to the completion of turnkey projects. This position is to provide engineering guidance to teams of designers/discipline specific engineers to create complete designs including both electrical and civil packages.
The Senior Design Engineer is responsible for leading design deliverables to maintain project schedule, design budget, design accuracy, and submittal completeness working in concert with a broader execution team. The LDE is charged with value added engineering to provide a quality product while driving efficiencies. This is a fully remote position with 10% travel.
The Project Operations Team provides comprehensive engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) services throughout the entire project lifecycle. Our team is committed to delivering reliable and efficient turnkey services while ensuring client satisfaction throughout the project journey. Our turnkey solutions encompass various stages such as project conception, specification development, engineering design, equipment procurement, construction, installation, testing, and commissioning. With a single point of accountability, Our team specializes in handling both greenfield and brownfield turnkey projects and has expertise in designing and constructing high and medium-voltage substations and developing power distribution solutions for utilities, government, data centers, industrial, and commercial facilities.
Position criteria for this role include:
• Provide design engineering services instrumental to the completion of turnkey projects.
• Provide engineering guidance to teams of designers/discipline specific engineers to create complete designs including both electrical and civil packages.
• Responsible for leading design deliverables to maintain project schedule, design budget, design accuracy, and submittal completeness working in concert with a broader execution team.
• The LDE is charged with value added engineering to provide a quality product while driving efficiencies.
• Ability to lead medium/high voltage designs for both substations and MV power distribution
• Participate in site walk downs to assist in developing proposals for new work
• Develop engineering estimates to develop scope, budget, and review technical documents
• Ability to develop and maintain schedule/budget
• Ability to work with and mentor other engineers on team
Qualifications:
Basic Qualifications:
• BS in electrical engineering from an accredited institution
• Minimum of three (3) years of experience
• Eaton will not consider applicants for employment immigration sponsorship or support for this position. This means that Eaton will not support any CPT, OPT, or STEM OPT plans, F-1 to H-1B, H-1B cap registration, O-1, E-3, TN status, I-485 job portability, etc.
Preferred Qualifications:
• Five (5) years of experience
• EIT or PE License
• Field experience in testing/commissioning medium voltage equipment
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation
Skills:
• Knowledge/exposure to LV and MV equipment ranging from 480V - 138kV
• Ability to maintain schedule and budget
• Ability to work with remote team of engineers
• Obtain mentoring from lead engineers
• Assist in engineering estimates to develop scope, budget, and review technical documents
• Knowledge and understanding of turnkey projects
• Experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Working knowledge of NEC, NESC, ANSI, IEEE
• Periodic travel to sites during construction/commissioning
• Submit to periodic drug and background screens for compliance with customer entrance requirements in order to perform on-site work
We are committed to ensuring equal employment opportunities for all job applicants and employees. Employment decisions are based upon job-related reasons regardless of an applicant's race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, national origin, disability, marital status, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by law.
Eaton believes in second chance employment. Qualified applicants with arrest or conviction history will be considered regardless of their arrest or conviction history, consistent with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, the California Fair Chance Act and other local laws.
You do not need to disclose your conviction history or participate in a background check until a conditional job offer is made to you. After making a conditional offer and running a background check, if Eaton is concerned about conviction that is directly related to the job, you will be given the chance to explain the circumstances surrounding the conviction, provide mitigating evidence, or challenge the accuracy of the background report.
To request a disability-related reasonable accommodation to assist you in your job search, application, or interview process, please call us at 1-800-836-6345 to discuss your specific need. Only accommodation requests will be accepted by this phone number.
We know that good benefit programs are important to employees and their families. Eaton provides various Health and Welfare benefits as well as Retirement benefits, and several programs that provide for paid and unpaid time away from work. Click https://www.youreatonbenefits.com/candidates for more detail: Eaton Benefits Overview. Please note that specific programs and options available to an employee may depend on eligibility factors such as geographic location, date of hire, and the applicability of collective bargaining agreements.

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About Eaton

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Industry

Electrical equipment, appliance, and component manufacturing

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Cleveland, OH, US