Job Summary
The Design Engineer supports the development and delivery of electrical design-build projects from concept and budgeting through permitting, construction, and closeout. This position prepares practical, code-compliant, and cost-effective electrical designs while coordinating with owners, architects, engineers, consultants, vendors, subcontractors, the VDC/BIM team, and Helix operations.
The Design Engineer serves as a technical resource throughout the project lifecycle and supports seamless handoff from design and preconstruction to field execution.
Essential Functions
- Review and interpret contract drawings, specifications, owner criteria, applicable codes, and jurisdictional requirements.
- Develop electrical design packages, including power distribution, lighting, branch circuitry, single-line diagrams, equipment layouts, and related design documentation.
- Perform or review fundamental electrical calculations, including load calculations, voltage drop, short-circuit analysis, conduit fill, wire ampacity, and conductor derating.
- Prepare, update, and coordinate drawings and models using AutoCAD, Revit, Bluebeam, and other applicable design tools.
- Coordinate electrical designs with architectural, structural, mechanical, civil, utility, and other discipline requirements.
- Participate in design meetings, job walks, pre-bid meetings, coordination meetings, and design reviews with clients, architects, contractors, consultants, and internal stakeholders.
- Track design milestones, deliverables, comments, approvals, and open issues to support on-time project execution.
- Coordinate with utility providers regarding service requirements, transformer locations, switchgear, distribution equipment, and applicable utility standards.
- Support estimating and preconstruction by developing design narratives, scope clarifications, budgets, takeoffs, vendor requests, and value-engineering options.
- Collaborate with the Project Manager, Superintendent, Estimating, Purchasing, VDC/BIM, and field teams to confirm constructability, labor needs, material requirements, and schedule impacts.
- Support construction administration, including design revisions, RFIs, submittal reviews, bulletins, addenda, change orders, and responses to field questions.
- Review vendor and subcontractor information for compliance with project requirements, design intent, code, and schedule.
- Assist with permitting, agency comments, plan revisions, inspections, testing, commissioning, as-builts, and closeout documentation.
- Identify design risks, scope gaps, schedule concerns, and cost impacts; communicate issues promptly and recommend practical solutions.
- Maintain organized project records and ensure design documents are accurate, current, and properly distributed.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
Core Competencies
- Strong knowledge of electrical construction and design-build practices.
- Working knowledge of the National Electrical Code and applicable local requirements.
- Analytical and critical-thinking skills with the ability to solve technical and project-related problems.
- Strong attention to detail, organization, follow-through, and quality control.
- Clear written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to coordinate effectively with field personnel, clients, consultants, vendors, subcontractors, and internal teams.
- Ability to manage multiple priorities, changing requirements, and competing deadlines.
- Self-motivated, collaborative, service-oriented, and accountable.
- Ability to explain technical information clearly to both technical and non-technical audiences.
Required Education And Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Construction Management, Architectural Engineering, or a related field preferred.
- Experience supporting commercial electrical design, design-build, construction, or engineering projects preferred.
- Working knowledge of electrical design fundamentals and code-compliant design practices.
- Experience with AutoCAD and Revit required or strongly preferred, depending on level.
- Proficiency with Bluebeam and Microsoft Office, especially Excel and Word.
- Experience with electrical estimating software such as Accubid, ConEst, McCormick, or comparable platforms preferred.
- Experience coordinating with field construction teams, general contractors, consultants, vendors, or utilities preferred.
- EIT, PE, or electrical license is a plus but not required.
Preferred Project Experience
- Commercial, mission-critical, industrial, solar, multifamily, or other complex electrical construction projects.
- Projects involving design-build delivery, permit coordination, utility coordination, BIM/VDC collaboration, and construction administration.
Work Environment and Physical Requirements
- Combination of office, remote, and jobsite work based on project needs.
- Regular computer use, document review, meetings, and coordination activities.
- Occasional travel to jobsites, offices, client meetings, inspections, and project events.
- Ability to comply with jobsite safety requirements and wear required personal protective equipment during site visits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Helix Electric is an equal opportunity employer committed to attracting and retaining qualified employees and maintaining a diverse and inclusive workplace.
