Design Specialist

About Us

HBK Engineering, LLC is a fully licensed, professional engineering design firm headquartered in Chicago, IL with a staff approaching 700 individuals. HBK provides civil, environmental, structural, electrical, subsurface utility, construction support services and permitting facilitation. Since our founding in 1998, we have earned a reputation for delivering outstanding, accurate services in extremely time-sensitive, multilayered environments. That "industry-recognized" performance has propelled our expansion and the ability to provide engineering services in all 50 states. With 25 offices nationwide, including concentrations in the Midwest and on the Coasts, HBK brings together a dedicated team whose main focus is the design and protection of utilities and utility networks. We have successfully performed engineering work for a complete spectrum of utility infrastructure projects providing solutions and construction support from Coast to Coast in areas ranging from complex urban city centers, to rural greenfields, to limited access rights-of-way. In July 2020, HBK Engineering was acquired by Quanta Services. Quanta Services provides infrastructure services for electric power, pipeline, and communications industries and employees over 50,000 people. Quanta's focus on the utility industry and HBK's focus on constructability in our designs has made our integration into the Quanta family of companies seamless.

About this Role

HBK Engineering is looking for a Design Engineer which offers the opportunity to be part of a project team consisting of professional engineers, project engineers and designers who are involved in the design, modification, and analysis of new and existing utility systems. The candidate would also support our municipal related designs as well as our growing portfolio of land development projects, including electric vehicle charging stations, commercial and utility-scale solar, electric substation, battery energy storage sites and utility-related civil site work. A civil engineering project manager is responsible for managing staff, providing leadership, and assessing project deadlines and financial expenditures for large-scale engineering projects. A critical focus of this role will involve utility and roadway conflict analysis, right-of-way (ROW) engineering, and coordinating infrastructure design packages with municipal and state DOT frameworks. This position can be seated in one of the following office locations: Chicago, Oak Brook, or Geneva, IL, Spring TX and Denver CO

What You'll Do

• Design engineering systems in compliance with relevant specifications, codes, and client requirements for Civil Municipal engineering projects.
• Use engineering judgment and problem-solving skills to independently address unique and complex electrical, structural, civil, and construction-related challenges with minimal oversight.
• Perform peer reviews of engineering Civil designs under the oversight of professional engineering staff.
• Own all phases of the design lifecycle from initiation through construction completion and project closeout.
• Prepare detailed engineering and construction documents using a variety of software tools including AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS systems, and client-specific enterprise asset management platforms.
• Assess utility impacts on roadway profiles, perform utility conflict tracking, and design overhead/underground distribution reroutes around complex municipal roadway corridors.
• Coordinate directly with public works departments, utility companies, and state/local permitting agencies to secure required Right-of-Way (ROW), maintenance of traffic (MOT), and utility occupancy permits.
• Analyze information from supplementary data sources including topographical survey, utility atlas information, field sketches, client records, manufacturer equipment datasheets, etc.
• Prepare reports and studies meeting client requirements that present technical information clearly and concisely.
• Work with project management and engineering leadership to manage project risk.
• Communicate complex engineering matters to internal project management, engineering leadership, and field resources.
• Independently manage time and schedule to achieve project milestones.
• Perform field walkdowns with internal staff, clients, customers, governance authorities, and construction partners.
• 20% to 25% local travel is required.

What You'll Bring

• Experience with site civil grading and stormwater design.
• Experience with roadway and infrastructure design.
• Proven familiarity with municipal utility coordination standards, roadway construction specification manuals (e.g., IDOT standard specifications), and public right-of-way permitting interfaces.
• Possess a desire to work on Civil Municipal engineering projects.
• In-depth knowledge of 2D CADD software (AutoCAD or similar) including its use to generate layout drawings or other project materials.
• Water CAD or similar knowledge preferred.
• Review of Civil drawings or engineering materials developed by others.
• Training and mentoring of entry-level staff.
• Ability to come up to speed quickly on in-process projects and hit the ground running.
• Experience collaborating with a team in order to complete a larger project.
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
• Wastewater and water design experience preferred.

Education and Experience:

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related degree from an ABET-accredited program.
• EIT Certification (Preferred).
• Must have minimum 2.5+ years of experience in civil site, roadway, or utility engineering.

What You'll Get

• Senior leadership opportunities combining technical expertise with project management
• Direct client interface responsibilities including budget and schedule discussions
• Professional growth within the HBK Organization's senior Design Track
• Opportunity to lead coordination of complex utility engineering projects with full lifecycle ownership
• Project financial management and proposal development experience
• Team leadership and mentoring responsibilities
• Collaborative work environment with project management and engineering leadership
• Travel opportunities for field work and client engagement
• Career advancement opportunities in senior design and project management roles.
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, vision, disability and employer paid life insurance. In addition, all full-time roles are also eligible for 401(k) retirement plan with company match, paid time off and holidays. Tuition reimbursement and other role specific company paid professional development opportunities are also available.

Compensation Range

The anticipated compensation for this position is - depending on experience and qualifications.

Equal Opportunity Employer

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment and will not be discriminated against on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin or ancestry, sex (including gender, pregnancy, sexual orientation, and/or gender identity), age, disability, genetic information, veteran status, and/or any other basis protected by applicable federal, state or local law.

We are an Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.


We prohibit all types of discrimination and are committed to providing access and equal opportunity for individuals with disabilities. For additional information or if reasonable accommodation is needed to participate in the job application, interview, or hiring processes or to perform the essential functions of a position, please contact us the Company's Human Resources department.