Design QA/QC Lead – Overhead Distribution

Role Overview:

Job Title: Design QA/QC Lead – Overhead Distribution

Location: Detroit, MI

Duration: 24 months contact

Work Model: Hybrid - Will need to plan on being onsite at least 3 days per week.

Description:

We are seeking an experienced Design QA/QC Lead – Overhead Distribution to serve as an independent technical reviewer for overhead distribution and conversion work packages.

This role will perform structured 30%, 60%, and 90% design reviews of work developed by external design service providers. The reviewer will verify that designs meet applicable utility standards, are technically accurate and constructible, and are ready to advance toward scheduling and construction.

The role also participates early in the project lifecycle, from 0–30%, helping establish project scope and design criteria before formal design begins.

This position reports to the QA/QC Engineering Supervisor and has no direct supervisory responsibility.

Key Responsibilities

• Conduct independent 30%, 60%, and 90% design reviews for overhead distribution and conversion projects.
• Review designs for compliance with applicable distribution design standards, construction details, and engineering requirements.
• Evaluate:
• Conductor sizing, loading, and ampacity
• Pole class and loading
• Grounding and neutral continuity
• Vertical and horizontal clearances
• Armless vs. crossarm construction
• Span lengths and sag/tension
• Transformer sizing and loading
• Fuse sizing and coordination
• Review conversion-specific design requirements associated with 4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion, including insulation levels, arresters, cutouts, and related equipment impacts.
• Evaluate design constructability and safety, including tree trimming, joint-use coordination, top-cut sequencing, and construction requirements.
• Conduct field visits as needed to verify existing conditions and design accuracy.
• Identify, document, and track standards exceptions and non-standard designs.
• Coordinate exceptions and deviations with the appropriate Standards group for review and disposition.
• Document all design findings, RFIs, review results, and corrective actions.
• Review construction and material lists for completeness and accuracy, including CU text.
• Verify required stakeholder and permit reviews, including Real Estate, Environmental, Construction, Forestry, and Project Management.
• Identify recurring design defects and trends and contribute to QA/QC lessons learned and process improvements.
• Provide feedback on external design service provider performance, including quality, completeness, and rework.
• Partner with QA/QC leadership to evaluate and improve AI-assisted design review tools.
• Manage multiple design packages and review cycles simultaneously.

Technical Review Areas

The successful candidate will be expected to independently review overhead distribution designs involving:

• Conductor loading and ampacity
• Approved conductor sizes
• Voltage drop and voltage regulation
• Transformer sizing and loading
• Fuse sizing and coordination
• Vertical and horizontal clearances
• NESC and utility-specific clearance requirements
• Pole loading and pole class requirements
• Wind/ice loading criteria
• Grounding and neutral continuity
• Ground rod spacing
• 4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion requirements
• Standards exceptions and deviations
• Armless and crossarm construction
• Span length and sag/tension requirements
• Construction and material lists
• Stakeholder and permitting requirements

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related discipline.
• Senior Level: 6 years of relevant experience in overhead distribution design, engineering, or construction.
• Advanced Level: 8 years of relevant experience, including independent technical review or design QA/QC experience.
• Strong understanding of overhead electric distribution design and construction.
• Ability to independently evaluate design adequacy and identify issues beyond basic checklist compliance.
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Excellent documentation skills with the ability to clearly identify findings and reference applicable standards or design criteria.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and review cycles independently.
• Strong communication skills and ability to provide direct, technically defensible feedback to design service providers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with DTE Distribution Design Operating (DDO) standards or comparable utility distribution design standards.
• Experience with 4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion projects or similar utility voltage-conversion programs.
• Experience with formal 30/60/90% design review processes.
• Experience with sag/tension analysis.
• Experience with pole loading analysis.
• Familiarity with Maximo, Documentum, and Bluebeam.
• Experience documenting and resolving standards exceptions and deviations.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.