Opt Engineer Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Distribution Engineer
Carthage, TN
Full-Time, Days
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Join our team as a Distribution Engineer at UCEMC!
Are you a strategic engineering professional who enjoys solving complex problems, improving systems, and helping shape the future of utility operations? Do you bring both technical expertise and a broader view of how engineering supports reliability, growth, and long-term success? If so, we invite you to consider this opportunity with Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation.
Job Summary:
The Distribution Engineer supports the Executive Vice President of Engineering Services in leading engineering initiatives that strengthen the cooperative's electric distribution system and support long range operational goals. This position is responsible for both routine and special engineering projects, technical studies, and highly analytical systems that help the cooperative operate effectively, plan wisely, and maintain strong standards of reliability.
Key responsibilities include developing and maintaining the cooperative's GIS mapping and informational system, supporting and improving technically complex systems such as SCADA, outage management, metering and smart grid systems, and vehicle tracking systems, and maintaining the engineering model used for system studies. This role also helps guide construction standards and inventory units, coordinates annual construction work plans for electric system improvements, supports line extension design and staking needs, performs coordination and load studies, and assists with power restoration efforts as needed.
The Distribution Engineer also assists in developing and executing strategic plans that support the objectives of the Engineering Department and the cooperative. This role requires the ability to collect, interpret, and provide complex engineering data in an accurate and meaningful way to support sound planning and decision making. The position includes both office and field work and requires participation in safety meetings and compliance with all UCEMC safety practices.
Job Requirements:

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering from an accredited university required.
• Major in Power Engineering or experience working for an electric utility preferred.
• At least two years of electrical experience, preferably within an electric cooperative, preferred
• Professional Engineer designation desired
• Computer skills and CAD experience required, along with knowledge of Power Engineering
• Strong knowledge of ESRI based GIS mapping and AutoCAD software preferred
• Knowledge of RUS specifications and RUS approved list of materials preferred
• Ability to understand and apply the National Electric Safety Code and OSHA rules and regulations
• Ability to collect and provide complex technical engineering data accurately
• Ability to work efficiently with limited supervision
• Ability to carry equipment for GIS surveying
• Valid Tennessee Class D driver's license or ability to obtain within six months of hire
• Ability to work outdoors in all weather, on uneven terrain, and around equipment, insects, and animals
• Ability to respond to call outs and work extra hours as required, including weekends, nights, and holidays

We are proud to offer:

• 401(k) with company matching
• Health, dental, and vision insurance
• Paid vacation and sick days
• Paid holidays
• Competitive salary
• Opportunities for advancement

Apply Today!
If you are dedicated, forward-thinking, service minded, and want to be a part of a team that powers our community, we encourage you to apply.
Apply today at https://ucemc.bamboohr.com/careers
Applications will be accepted through July 24, 2026 at 4:30 PM CST. For more details, contact UCEMC's Human Resources Department at 1-800-261-2940, opt 3, opt 5, ext.123.
A Drug Free Workplace and Equal Opportunity Employer
UCEMC is an EEO employer and an affirmative action employer. UCEMC is committed to guaranteeing to its employees and all applicants for employment equal employment opportunities regardless of race, gender, age, religion, national origin, genetic information, disability or veteran status, or any other protected status, except where such status is a bona fide occupational qualification.
Power Up Your Career with UCEMC - Local People Local Power
Upper Cumberland Electric Membership Corporation
Carthage, Tennessee
Position Guide
Position Title: Distribution Engineer
Department: Engineering
Date Approved: April 20, 2015; Revised February 20, 2019; October 15, 2025;
May 21, 2026
Reports to: Executive Vice President of Engineering Services
Supervises: None
FLSA Status: Exempt
I. Principal Objectives of the Position
Reports to EVP of Engineering Services to conduct routine or special engineering projects, studies, and other highly technical/analytical and complicated systems. To maintain effective operation of these highly technical and costly systems including, but not limited to, the GIS mapping system; and to assist the Staking Department or other needs to meet the goals of the Engineering Department and the cooperative.
II. Essential Duties and Job Responsibilities
A. Develop and maintain the Cooperative GIS mapping and informational system.
B. Develop and maintain other technically complicated systems such as, but not limited to, SCADA Systems, Outage Management Systems, Meter and Smart Grid Systems and Vehicle Tracking Systems
C. Develop construction standards and inventory units.
D. Maintain the Engineering Model for system studies.
E. Coordinate annual Construction Work Plans for electric system
improvements.
F. Assist with staking and designing line extensions and other projects as needed from time to time.
G. Assist with power restoration efforts as directed by the EVP of Engineering Services as needed to maintain standards of reliability.
H. Performs coordination and load studies as directed by EVP of Engineering Services.
I. Assist in developing and executing strategic plans to support the objectives of the cooperative.
J. Ability to collect and provide complex technical engineering data to
EVP of Engineering Services in an accurate manner.
K. Attends and participates in all safety meetings scheduled by the cooperative as required.
L. Performs other such duties as requested or required from time to time.
Ill. Skills and Abilities
A. Must possess (or obtain within six months of hire date) and maintain a valid class "D" Tennessee operator's license and be able to safely operate assigned vehicle.
B. Must be physically able to carry equipment for GIS surveying.
C. Must be able to work efficiently with limited supervision.
D. Must be certified in basic first aid and CPR in accordance with
Cooperative policies and procedures.
IV. Physical Requirements (must be able to)
Extend neck to look above, down and side to side; reach overhead, forward and to the side; extend back; use both hands and fingers, grip and twist wrist; bend/stoop; squat/crouch; twist; sit and stand for long periods of time; exhibit visual acuity; walk long distances and on uneven terrain; maintain arm-hand steadiness
V. Working Conditions (must be able to)
Work eight hours a day, five days per week. Respond immediately to twenty-four hour call-out and work extra hours as required, including weekends, nights and holidays. Work outside in inclement weather, including temperature extremes. Work with daily exposure to moderately to very noisy equipment such as power tools. Work with daily exposure to hazards, including electrical, mechanical, traffic, insects, spiders, snakes, dogs and other animals. Drive throughout the cooperative's service area and beyond, travel may include overnight and outside the cooperative's service area.
VI. Knowledge
A. Must have a strong knowledge of standard office computer software tools. Strong knowledge of ESRI based GIS mapping and AutoCad software is highly preferred but not required.
B. Knowledge of RUS specifications and RUS-approved list of materials is highly preferred but not required.
C. Must understand and be able to apply the National Electric Safety Code
(NESC) and OSHA rules and regulations.
VII. Internal Contacts
Maintains on-going communications with the EVP of Engineering Services and other members of the Engineering Department, as well as other Cooperative personnel, to ensure appropriate personnel are informed of relevant activities, events and issues.
VIII. External Contacts
Communicates with the following effectively and in a professional manner:
Cooperative Members
Members of General Public
Other LPCs and Trade Associations
Federal, State and Local agencies
Professional Associations
Technical Vendors
Consulting Engineering Firms
IX. Minimum Qualifications
Education
Minimum of Bachelor of Science in Electrical, Mechanical or Civil Engineering from an accredited university required. A major in Power Engineering or experience working for an electric utility preferred, other things being equal. P.E. designation desired.
X. Experience
Computer skills and CAD experience are required along with knowledge of Power Engineering. At least two years of electrical experience, preferably within an electric cooperative is preferred.
XI. Important
This position guide is not intended to be all-inclusive; other duties may be required as assigned. UCEMC reserves the right to revise this position guide as needed. This position guide does not constitute a written or implied contract of employment