Senior Transmission Engineer in Chicago, Illinois at KDM ENGINEERING LLC

Senior Transmission Engineer

Chicago, IL| Hybrid | Full-time

KDM Engineering is seeking an experienced Senior Transmission Engineer to join our growing team in Chicago. In this role, you’ll take the lead on complex high-voltage transmission line projects, provide technical guidance across project teams, and help deliver safe, reliable, and constructible engineering solutions for our utility clients.

This is an opportunity for an experienced transmission professional who enjoys both hands-on engineering and technical leadership. You’ll work on challenging projects, collaborate directly with clients, mentor developing engineers, and play an important role in strengthening KDM’s growing transmission capabilities.

What You’ll Do

• Executes comprehensive engineering design for high-voltage (HV/EHV) overhead transmission line projects, encompassing routing, PLS-CADD modeling, structure spotting, and hardware/conductor selection.
• Performs advanced structural analysis, structure framing optimization, and foundation design utilizing specialized industry software.
• Establishes line design parameters based on NESC, ASCE, IEEE, and client-specific criteria, including right-of-way (ROW) constraints, clearances, and loading conditions.
• Authors detailed technical specifications and construction bid packages; leads technical bid evaluations (TBE) for structure procurement and construction services.
• Prepares and seals engineering deliverables, including plan and profile drawings, structure load trees, framing diagrams, bills of materials (BOM), and foundation construction drawings.
• Interprets complex geotechnical reports to extract and derive parametric inputs for specialized foundation engineering software, specifically L-PILE and MFAD.
• Provides comprehensive engineering support during construction (EDC), including reviewing contractor submittals, responding to RFIs, and resolving field-originated design modifications.
• Acts as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) and Technical Advisor, providing strategic consulting to project teams and interfacing directly with clients to resolve complex technical challenges.
• Drives Quality Assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) compliance, peer-reviewing technical deliverables produced by junior staff to ensure engineering integrity.
• Mentors and accelerates the professional development of junior engineers and recent graduates in transmission line design principles and workflows.

What We’re Looking For

• Requires a bachelor's degree (Civil, Structural, or Electrical) from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
• 5+ years of relevant experience as a Transmission Line Engineer in a consulting or utility environment.
• EIT Certificate with ability to acquire PE in the near term.
• Proficiency with MS Office software, including Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Project.
• Proficiency in Power Line Systems software and other programs, including PLS-CADD, PLS-Tower, PLS-POLE, CAISSON, SAG10, and ArcGIS.
• Proven ability to communicate effectively with clients, management, and design teams through excellent verbal and written communication skills. Strong understanding of project management principles.

About KDM

Founded in 2012 by Kimberly D. Moore, KDM Engineering is a certified WBE/MBE professional engineering firm specializing in power utility design, natural gas distribution, telecommunications, and substation engineering. Headquartered in Chicago, KDM also has offices across Maryland, Indiana, Delaware, and Pennsylvania.

Our vision is to challenge and change energy infrastructure to help light up the world. We believe technical excellence, innovation, and diverse perspectives make our teams stronger and help us solve complex problems more creatively.

KDM also supports the next generation of engineers through Calculated Genius, a nonprofit providing STEM programs and scholarships for underrepresented youth.

Why You’ll Love It Here

• Medical insurance with HMO, PPO, and HDHP options, including HSA
• Dental and Vision insurance
• Company-paid life insurance
• Pet insurance discounts
• 401(k) retirement plan with Traditional and Roth options
• Front-loaded PTO for full-time employees
• 11 paid holidays annually
• Volunteer PTO up to 40 hours
• Paid parental leave up to 8 weeks of maternity leave and 4 weeks of parental leave
• Professional sabbatical 3 weeks of paid leave every 5 years

Salary: $120,000 - $150,000 Annual

Our Mission

KDM Engineering is engineering what’s next. Through technical excellence, innovative thinking, and strong partnerships, we create infrastructure solutions that move communities, industries, and ideas forward. We’re not just solving for today. We’re building smarter, stronger, more resilient systems for the future

Grow With Us

• Career growth opportunities
• Professional development funding
• PE licensure support and exam reimbursement
• Mentorship opportunities
• Project leadership exposure
• And much more!

A Few Things to Know Before You Apply

• A valid driver’s license may be required for some positions or projects.
• Candidates must be authorized to work in the United States.
• Employment is subject to successful completion of our required pre-employment screening, including background and drug screening.

Equal Employment Opportunity

KDM Engineering strongly supports equal employment opportunity for all applicants regardless of race, color, religion, sex, gender identity, pregnancy, national origin, ancestry, citizenship, age, marital status, physical disability, mental disability, medical condition, sexual orientation, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law.