Distribution Protection Engineer Jobs in Illinois

This role serves as a technical lead and trusted advisor to utility clients, focusing on the design and engineering of overhead and underground electrical distribution systems. You will support infrastructure planning, grid modernization, distributed energy resource integration, and reliability improvement initiatives while ensuring high-quality project delivery across multiple utility organizations. In this position, you will mentor junior engineers, promote engineering best practices, and contribute to a strong culture of technical excellence within a growing, multi-unit organization.

• Serve as a technical lead and trusted advisor to utility clients on distribution design and engineering projects.
• Lead the design and engineering of overhead and underground electrical distribution systems for utility and related sectors.
• Support infrastructure planning initiatives, including grid modernization and integration of distributed energy resources (DER).
• Execute and review load flow, voltage drop, short circuit, and protection coordination studies using appropriate engineering tools.
• Drive successful project delivery across multiple utility organizations, ensuring quality, timeliness, and adherence to standards.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams in lighting, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing, and program distribution to deliver integrated solutions.
• Mentor junior engineers by providing technical guidance, reviewing work, and sharing best practices in distribution engineering.
• Contribute to the development and continuous improvement of engineering standards, processes, and design methodologies.
• Prepare and review technical documentation, drawings, and reports related to distribution system design and analysis.
• Engage in regular meetings and training sessions, both virtually and in person, to align with project goals and organizational objectives.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or an engineering degree with a strong focus on electrical systems.
• 5+ years of experience in electrical engineering or distribution engineering roles.
• Demonstrated experience with overhead and underground electrical distribution systems.
• Electrical distribution design experience, including distribution engineering and utility design.
• Proficiency in performing load flow, voltage drop, short circuit, and protection coordination studies.
• Experience working with utilities or electrical utility organizations.
• Ability to obtain EIT or PE certification, or current possession of EIT or PE credentials.
• Strong understanding of power distribution principles and electrical engineering fundamentals.
• Ability to serve as a technical lead and trusted advisor to clients on complex engineering projects.
• Experience mentoring or supporting junior engineers in a professional engineering environment.

• Experience with distribution design software such as CYME, Synergi, ETAP, or similar tools.
• Familiarity with CAD software for preparing and reviewing distribution design drawings.
• Experience with SAP or similar enterprise systems is a plus.
• Background in working with municipal, utility, electrical, or industrial sectors.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to explain technical concepts clearly to both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
• Demonstrated ability to work across multiple business units, such as lighting, infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing, and program distribution.
• Interest in contributing to grid modernization and distributed energy resource (DER) integration initiatives.
• Commitment to continuous learning and staying current with industry standards and best practices in distribution engineering.

This role operates primarily in a remote work setup, offering flexibility while maintaining strong connections with the engineering team. The organization maintains offices in Wheaton, which houses corporate functions such as HR, finance, and executives, and an engineering hub in Shorewood with a team of approximately 20 engineers. Engineers are mostly tied to the Shorewood office. You will work from home most of the time, with the expectation to be in the office about two times per month for meetings, collaboration, and training, and more frequently during the onboarding period. The company has a 40-year history and has grown into multiple business units, including lighting and infrastructure, engineering, manufacturing and warehouse, and program distribution, with a focus on municipal, utility, electrical, and industrial sectors. The culture emphasizes a clear mission and vision, strong values, and high growth potential within a collaborative, professional engineering environment. Technologies commonly used include distribution analysis tools such as CYME, Synergi, ETAP or similar, CAD platforms for design, and potentially SAP or comparable enterprise systems. Dress expectations are typically business casual during in-office days, aligned with a professional engineering and corporate setting.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Wheaton, IL.

The pay range for this position is $48.08 - $62.50/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: • Medical, dental & vision • Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital • 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available • Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) • Short and long-term disability • Health Spending Account (HSA) • Transportation benefits • Employee Assistance Program • Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Wheaton,IL.

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability,please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

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