Power Distribution Field Designer

Description:

POWER DISTRIBUTION FIELD DESIGNER (FIELD + DESIGN HYBRID)

Overhead Power Utility Pole Design | Field Data Collection

Primary Field Focus: Primary Field Focus: Northwestern Louisiana, Northeast Texas and along the West Arkansas border. 

ABOUT THIS OPPORTUNITY

We are seeking an experienced Power Distribution / Make-Ready Designer who is comfortable owning the full lifecycle of utility pole design, from field data collection through construction-ready engineering deliverables. This role is ideal for designers who prefer to personally verify field conditions, understand how real-world infrastructure impacts design decisions, and want to reduce handoff gaps between field and design teams. Candidates must have prior experience in overhead utility pole design and NESC-compliant make-ready or power distribution engineering. This is not an entry-level or field-only role.

This role will initially support project work in Northwestern Louisiana, Northeast Texas and along the West Arkansas border. As project needs grow and shift, the assigned work areas may change. Applicants must be willing and able to travel outside of the initial starting areas, including overnight travel when required.

When not performing field data collection, this position will work remotely. Regular local fieldwork is required and work location can vary (50%-75% travel possible).

This position requires the use of your own vehicle for which we provide mileage reimbursement. Sigma covers the cost of hotels and provides daily per diem when overnight stays are required.

Note: New hires are required to attend a 2-week paid, in-person onboarding and training at our Perrysburg, Ohio headquarters.

Applicants without prior experience in utility pole design or power distribution engineering may not be considered.

  What You Can Expect to Do  

Field Data Collection and Walkouts

• Perform utility pole walkouts and field surveys to collect accurate attachment, clearance, and structural data
• Verify pole ownership, attachment types, heights, spans, guying, and equipment in the field
• Document existing conditions
• Capture photos, measurements, GPS data, and field notes to support design decisions
• Research right-of-way, easements, permitting constraints, and property ownership as necessary
  

Design and Engineering

• Execute overhead distribution and make-ready designs in compliance with NESC and client standards
• Evaluate field conditions and determine make-ready requirements, attachment rearrangements, and pole replacements
• Perform pole loading analysis and clearance resolution
• Develop complete, construction-ready design packages
• Perform end-to-end joint-use and/or general distribution design
• Use design platforms such as DDS, AutoCAD, MicroStation, Katapult, O-Calc, GIS, or utility-specific systems
• Collaborate with engineering, project management, and quality teams as needed
• Perform or support quality control reviews as needed
  

TOP COMPETENCIES AND SKILLS

Make-Ready Engineering, Power Distribution Design, Utility Pole Walkouts, Field Data Collection, Joint-Use Design, Pole Loading Analysis, NESC Compliance, Overhead Distribution, Utility Pole Attachments, Right-of-Way and Permitting, Construction-Ready Design, DDS, GIS for Utility Design, CAD for Utility Design, Aerial Design, Utility Coordination

WHAT WE’RE LOOKING FOR

• High school diploma or equivalent required; associate degree or higher in engineering, drafting, or a related field preferred
• Minimum 1 year of experience in power distribution design, or make-ready engineering / joint-use design (2+ years strongly preferred)
• Demonstrated experience performing utility pole walkouts and field data collection specifically to support design work
• Proven experience applying NESC standards, clearance analysis, and pole loading concepts
• Proficiency with CAD or MicroStation; strong preference for experience with DDS, Katapult, O-Calc, or similar utility design platforms
• Strong understanding of overhead power distribution construction practices
• Ability to work independently in the field and translate field conditions into accurate designs
• Valid driver’s license, active auto insurance, and ability to pass background, drug, and motor vehicle screenings
• Authorization to work in the United States
• Willingness to perform regular local fieldwork with occasional overnight travel
• Ability to work a Monday–Friday schedule aligned to Eastern Time, with flexibility for local field needs.

Travel, Schedule, and Work Environment

• This position is remote when not performing field data collection; however, regular local fieldwork is required.
• Initial fieldwork areas include Northwestern Louisiana, Northeast Texas and along the West Arkansas border. Assigned project areas may change in the future based on business needs.
• Applicants must be willing and able to travel outside of the initial assigned areas as project needs expand, including overnight travel when required.
• This position requires availability during core work hours of 8:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. Eastern, with flexibility for local fieldwork, travel, project demands, and occasional overtime as duties require.
• Dependable transportation, a valid driver’s license, and valid insurance are required.
• Ability to use personal vehicle for travel.
• New hires are required to attend an initial 2-week in-person paid orientation and training period at Sigma Technologies headquarters in Perrysburg, Ohio.

Additional Requirements

• Must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Must be able to pass a background check, drug test, and driving record check.

Physical Requirements

• Must be able to endure frequent, lengthy periods of sedentary work and sit for prolonged periods of time, including sitting at a desk and driving in a vehicle.
• Must be able to utilize a computer keyboard, computer monitor, telephone, tablet, GPS device, camera, and other field or office equipment for prolonged periods of time.
• Must have the physical ability to perform fieldwork, including driving, walking long distances, navigating uneven terrain, working near roadways, and working in various weather conditions.
• Must be able to lift and carry field equipment weighing up to approximately 40 pounds.
• Must have the physical ability to perform activities such as preparing and analyzing data and figures, transcribing notes, viewing a computer terminal, reviewing maps, and inspecting field conditions; these activities require close vision, distance vision, color vision, peripheral vision, depth perception, and ability to adjust focus.
• Must have the physical ability to express or exchange ideas by means of the spoken word and convey detailed or important spoken instructions to other workers accurately, often in a group setting or field environment.
• Must have the ability to receive detailed information through oral communication and to make the discriminations in sound.

ABOUT SIGMA TECHNOLOGIES
Sigma Technologies is a growing engineering and design firm with 500+ team members across 30+ states. For over 25 years, we’ve supported major power and telecommunications utilities with work that directly impacts communities nationwide. Our core values — Safety, Honesty, Truth, and Decency — shape how we work and who we hire. We are TeamSigma™.

* If you do not have Power Design experience, please refer to our other open positions:
*While Designer openings are listed in multiple locations, you only need to apply to one, as they are remote roles.

What We Offer

• Competitive pay based on experience and education.
• Remote work when not performing required field data collection.
• Paid in-person orientation and training at Sigma Technologies headquarters in Perrysburg, Ohio.
• The opportunity to support telecommunications infrastructure projects that help connect communities.
• A collaborative team environment with support from supervisors, project managers, designers, field staff, and quality teams.

About Sigma Technologies

Sigma Technologies is a growing engineering and design firm with decades of experience serving the power and telecommunications industries. Our teams support utility, broadband, and infrastructure projects across the country through high-quality engineering, design, field, and project support services.

We are proud to support projects that help connect communities, improve infrastructure, and serve customers across multiple markets. At Sigma, we value Safety, Honesty, Truth, and Decency, and we look for team members who bring technical ability, accountability, and a strong commitment to doing quality work.

This job description should not be interpreted as all inclusive. It is intended to identify the major responsibilities and requirements of a job. The individual may be required to perform job-related responsibilities and tasks other than those stated on this description.

This document does not constitute an employment agreement between Sigma and the employee and is subject to change by Sigma as the needs of the organization and/or the requirements of the function change.

Pay is commensurate with experience and education. Sigma is an equal opportunity employer and will not discriminate based on an employee’s age, race, color, national origin, ancestry, religion, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, uniformed service member status or any other classification protected by law.

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