Distribution Scoping Engineer, Energy in at Welty Energy & Infrastructure, LLC

Welty Energy is looking for a Distribution Scoping Engineer to join our Scoping & Estimating team!

Who is Welty Energy?

Welty Energy, an affiliate of Welty, is a professional services company specializing in program and project management, transmission line engineering, substation engineering and construction oversight on transmission, substation and distribution projects ranging in voltages from 4kV to 765kV.

Headquartered in Akron, OH, and working nationally, Welty Energy currently manages approximately $500 million in construction projects for electric utilities in the Midwest and Northeast regions of the U.S.

Position Overview

The Distribution Scoping Engineer is responsible for evaluating electric distribution system performance, identifying reliability and infrastructure improvement opportunities, and developing detailed scopes of work for distribution projects. This position will analyze system and outage data, investigate existing distribution facilities, develop proposed line routes and relocations, and create accurate project scopes and cost estimates.

The ideal candidate has strong knowledge of electric distribution systems, particularly overhead distribution between 15kV and 38kV, and is comfortable working independently to evaluate large amounts of technical and reliability data. This position requires a highly detail-oriented individual who can translate data, field conditions, and utility standards into clear, constructible, and cost-effective project scopes.

Key Responsibilities

• Analyze worst-performing circuit data, outage history, reliability metrics, and other system performance information to identify opportunities for distribution system improvements.
• Review circuit performance and identify potential causes of reliability issues, including equipment failures, line exposure, vegetation, pole conditions, circuit configuration, and other distribution system deficiencies.
• Review existing distribution line routes, facilities, and infrastructure to identify opportunities for relocations, rerouting, reconductoring, sectionalizing, circuit improvements, and other reliability enhancements.
• Independently develop proposed distribution line routes based on existing infrastructure, system needs, right-of-way considerations, constructability, and utility standards.
• Evaluate existing pole locations and determine appropriate locations for new, relocated, or replaced poles.
• Develop detailed scopes of work for distribution construction projects, including the work required, quantities, materials, locations, and construction considerations.
• Create and maintain KMZ files using Google Earth Pro to clearly communicate existing conditions, proposed routes, project limits, pole locations, and other project information.
• Prepare detailed Word documents that clearly communicate the project scope, existing conditions, proposed improvements, construction requirements, and recommended solutions.
• Develop base-scope pricing, material quantities, labor considerations, and cost estimates for proposed projects.
• Identify additional project opportunities that can be completed alongside the base scope to improve reliability, resiliency, constructability, or overall project value.
• Review available GIS, outage, asset, circuit, and reliability data to efficiently identify trends and potential improvement opportunities.
• Coordinate with Real Estate, Environmental, Planning, Protection, and other internal teams as needed to validate proposed solutions.
• Review field information and incorporate field conditions into project scopes and recommendations.
• Ensure proposed work is consistent with applicable utility construction standards, engineering practices, safety requirements, and applicable electrical codes.
• Develop clear and accurate documentation that can be used by engineering, estimating, project management, and construction teams.
• Maintain organized project records, supporting documentation, maps, estimates, and scope packages.
• Support reliability improvement, storm hardening, system modernization, and other distribution capital improvement initiatives.
• Prioritize work effectively and manage multiple projects and deadlines simultaneously.

Required Qualifications & Education

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related engineering discipline; OR
• 5+ years of hands-on electric utility distribution experience, including significant experience working with distribution poles and overhead facilities, such as lineman, distribution designer, or field engineering experience.
• Minimum 2 years of experience in electric utility distribution engineering, design, scoping, construction, or a closely related capacity.
• Experience working with distribution systems operating at 15kV–38kV.
• Demonstrated understanding of overhead electric distribution systems, poles, conductors, transformers, switches, protective devices, and associated equipment.
• Ability to interpret distribution system maps, drawings, GIS information, and field data.
• Ability to independently evaluate a distribution system and develop practical improvement recommendations.

Preferred Skills & Experience

• Strong knowledge of electric distribution reliability and reliability engineering principles.
• Experience analyzing worst-performing circuits and outage/reliability data.
• Experience with reconductor/rebuild projects
• Experience in sectionalizing circuits
• Experience developing distribution line routes
• Experience with pole placement, pole relocation, and overhead distribution construction.
• Proficiency with Google Earth Pro and KMZ creation.
• Strong proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Experience with Power BI or other data visualization/analytics tools.
• Experience working with GIS or utility mapping systems.
• Bonus would be fuse sizing experience