Joint Use Lead Designer - REMOTE WORK

Joint Use Lead Designer - REMOTE WORK

Working with our business partners to create, improve and sustain industry and infrastructure.  Orbital Engineering has been driven by this core purpose for more than 50 years - energizing Orbital team members and helping our clients solve challenging and complex problems with innovative engineering, inspection, and construction solutions.  Orbital team members are guided by the fundamental beliefs of building trusted relationships, personal accountability, innovation, and excellence in everything we do.  Orbital is looking for others to join our team to continue activating our purpose and embrace our values.

Orbital Engineering’s Utility Services Department partners with Utility and Communication Companies in Engineering and Construction operations for Joint Use Pole Attachment Programs (JU), Distribution Engineering Design Projects, and Distribution System Improvement Charge (DSIC) programs, such as the Pennsylvania Long-Term Infrastructure Improvement Program (LTIIP).  

This position will directly support projects within the Utility Services Department’s pole attachment application process and power delivery improvement process.  The Utility Services team is also responsible for analyzing requests for attachment to client’s poles and network reliability improvements on client’s electric distribution systems.  Utility Services staff support GIS data analytics, creation of notifications, work orders, invoicing, and financial reports utilizing enterprise resource planning software.

Orbital Engineering, Inc. is currently seeking a Joint Use Lead Designer for a REMOTE WORK position. Joint Use and utility client experience is strongly preferred. This role includes some client-facing, project management duties and candidates with that experience will be given preference.

Responsibilities include, but are not limited to: 

• Develop and train a Joint Use / Make Ready Team
• Ensure project team has the knowledge and tools to complete tasks
• Manage resources to successfully deliver project to client on time and under budget while meeting or exceeding client expectations
• Coordinate and design joint use pole attachments and make ready recommendations
• Partner with Joint Use Team and Supervisor to determine appropriate scope of pole installs including; NESC standards for cable attachments, spacing and midspans regulations, and utility pole owner regulations
• Gather appropriate information from field collection process to identify pole owners and complete the necessary application process
• Identify existing pole conditions which include electrical equipment, pole configurations, and third party attachers
• Review utility poles and field notes to determine most accurate make ready solution
• Perform structural loading calculations using PoleForeman, O-Calc, or Spida-Calc in accordance with NESC and pole owner protocol through inventory and analysis of pole type and class, riser details, attached facility type including weight and diameters, span footages, drip loops etc
• Review proposed aerial projects and determining the overall cost analysis of the project; recommend the project to be conducted aerial or underground
• Provide solutions for poles that fail pole loading or are not good candidates for new attachments
• Ability to create make ready summaries for various pole owner requirements
• Interpret and analyze engineering drawings and utility maps
• Budget and track all invoices associated with the completion of the make ready work.
• Verify utility measurements on existing utility poles in order to prepare pole attachment applications for submittal to governing utilities.
• Responsible for coordinating with others to ensure the completion of make ready work of existing aerial facilities owned by various power, telephone and CATV companies.
• Prepare construction documents including plan and profile drawings for overhead and underground electric distribution, fiber optic, and telecommunications facilities
• Assist with distribution line design 2.4kV - 34kV
• Assist in the preparation of proposals, engineering/project cost estimates, and execution of schedules. Provide field support during construction
• Provide quality reviews of work prepared by others and adhere to the QA/QC process

• Evaluate loading of various equipment components being installed such as transformers and structural loading of poles to ensure a cost-effective, safe and reliable design utilizing client specifications.
• Apply National Electric Safety Code (NESC) Standards, Client Standards, Federal, State or Local Municipal Guidelines, and/or other applicable guidelines to complete engineering designs (Pole Replacements, Communication Space Rearrangements, Joint-Use Design) for possible joint-use or make-ready construction
• Ability to analyze field collected data (including imagery) and accurately update applicable software packages for successful design implementation
• Regularly utilizes Client proprietary software packages or equipment to complete daily responsibilities in the engineering design workflow process, may include facilitating new attachment permitting process
• Accountable for work assigned and responsible for completing work on project schedule and within project budget while regularly communicating status with management team
• Frequently communicates with Client(s) on engineering design to best determine the most cost-effective solution for their project
• Provides timely and detailed documentation and support to Orbital accounting functions for ensuring projects are on budget and appropriately accounted

• May be required to attend meetings at clients’ sites and regularly interact with the general public, including landowners and operators

• Ability to visually identify, inspect, and record equipment and different construction situations in the field, including rights-of-way
• Communicate with others, including co-workers and clients, to agree on the best solution for engineering design
• Can endure frequent driving, standing, walking (numerous miles a day), navigating (on foot or in a vehicle), and balancing objects which may weigh up to 20 pounds in congested and/or complex terrain

• As needed, must be able to work in all weather conditions and in residential, commercial, and industrial areas

• Work is primarily remote/office based, but fieldwork may be needed throughout the engineering design process
• Must be willing to travel overnight or for extended periods of time, based on project assignment
• Perform other tasks as assigned by leadership

Minimum Requirements

• High School Diploma or GED required with 6+ years of experience in fieldwork or a construction environment, drafting, utility experience, or technical design
• Associate degree in engineering technology, construction, drafting technology, or related technical discipline with 2-6 years of experience, with interest in fieldwork, or surveying
• Prior utility design experience or distribution line work
• Knowledge of utility distribution design and construction standards, industry practices, and the ability to use design software packages
• Must be an organized person who can keep data organized from start to finish on a project
• Ability to prioritize work on multiple projects and effectively communicate project statuses
• Understanding of design software such as: AutoCAD, Civil 3D, MicroStation, GIS and Excel to develop the design deliverables
• Computer proficiency including general Microsoft Office products, design, and business enterprise software
• Effective written and oral communication at all levels within an organizational structure
• Reasoning skills and ability to solve practical problems
• Must have dependable transportation and a valid driver’s license with insurance
• Must be able to pass a fit for duty test
• Ability to work from home and an office setting, as required
• This position requires the ability to pass a post-offer drug (including marijuana) and alcohol test in compliance with Federal regulations and is also subject to random testing as a condition of continued employment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering, engineering technology, construction, GIS, drafting, or related technical discipline with 3-5 years of experience
• Working knowledge of electrical distribution assets and/or communication equipment construction
• Experience in pole loading (Spida Calc, O-Calc, Pole Foreman, or Katapult) or other construction modeling software (AutoCAD)
• Experience of outside plant or joint use permitting experience
• Knowledge of industry utility or joint-use software (SPANS, NJUNS, IkeGPS, Katapult) for make-ready engineering and construction
• Familiar with Design and Checking practices for engineering drawings and deliverables
• Familiar with Safe Work Practices and PPE applications

Orbital Engineering, Inc. has provided worldwide professional engineering and consulting services since 1969. Our commitment to quality, responsiveness, and attention to detail has earned us the reputation as a leading provider of engineering and design services.

A commitment to excellence and hard work will be rewarded with a competitive salary, career advancement opportunities, and an excellent benefits package including medical, dental, vision, prescription drug, 401(k), and supplemental insurance.

Orbital Engineering, Inc. is an Equal Opportunity Employer, EEO/AA/M-F-V-D.  Orbital Engineering, Inc. seeks diversity among its employees. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals to perform the essential job functions.

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