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Distribution System Planner

AECOM


Job Location:

Chicago, IL - USA

Monthly Salary: Not provided by the employer
Posted: 16 September 2026 (4 hours ago)
Application Deadline: 14 December 2026
Vacancies: 1 Vacancy

Job Summary

AECOM is seeking an experienced Distribution System Planner to support a diverse range of clients including electric utilities developers government agencies and other infrastructure stakeholders in planning safe reliable resilient and future-ready energy and distribution systems.

This is a hands-on technical position focused on electric distribution system planning grid modernization and infrastructure analysis. Responsibilities include load forecasting capacity and infrastructure planning system performance and reliability assessments distributed energy resource (DER) integration transportation and building electrification studies microgrid and resilience planning non-wires alternatives evaluations and development of capital investment strategies. The role may also support broader energy transition initiatives including decarbonization planning renewable energy integration and long-range infrastructure planning.

The successful candidate will be capable of independently performing technical analyses and planning studies developing actionable infrastructure and investment recommendations and collaborating directly with client planning engineering operations sustainability and asset management teams. The ideal candidate will combine strong analytical and problem-solving skills with the ability to communicate complex technical findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders helping organizations make informed decisions about future energy and infrastructure investments.

The job responsibilities for the position will include but are not limited to:

  • Perform near-term and long-range distribution system and energy infrastructure planning studies
  • Develop maintain and validate distribution network and energy system planning models
  • Evaluate electrical distribution assets including feeders transformers substations and customer-owned infrastructure for capacity performance and future growth requirements
  • Perform distribution load flow voltage thermal loading contingency and related system analyses
  • Identify existing and future infrastructure constraints operational challenges and capacity limitations
  • Develop and evaluate technically viable infrastructure alternatives to support reliability growth electrification and decarbonization objectives
  • Evaluate feeder reinforcement reconductoring new feeders substation expansion voltage improvements switching/configuration changes and other distribution system solutions
  • Support development of multi-year capital improvement infrastructure investment and asset management plan
  • Develop and evaluate load and energy forecasts at the distribution level
  • Assess impacts of customer growth transportation electrification building electrification data centers and other large loads distributed generation and energy storage
  • Translate load forecasts into feeder and substation capacity requirements
  • Perform scenario and sensitivity analyses to address uncertainty in future load growth
  • Evaluate the impacts and opportunities associated with DERs distributed generation renewable energy and energy storage technologies
  • Perform or support hosting capacity interconnection and grid integration studies
  • Evaluate battery storage EV charging microgrids and other distributed technologies
  • Support Integrated Distribution Planning and evaluation of traditional infrastructure and non-wires alternatives
  • Evaluate reliability resilience and operational performance of electric distribution and energy delivery systems
  • Identify opportunities to improve system sectionalization redundancy transfer capability and operational flexibility
  • Support distribution resilience wildfire mitigation undergrounding and system-hardening planning where applicable
  • Coordinate planning recommendations with distribution operations protection engineering asset management and field organizations
  • Develop project need statements and technical justifications for distribution capital projects
  • Develop conceptual alternatives planning-level cost estimates and investment recommendations
  • Support capital prioritization and risk-based investment planning
  • Prepare technical reports presentations planning studies and recommendations
  • Participate in technical discussions and workshops with utility clients
  • Support technical proposals and scopes of work
  • Coordinate with other AECOM engineering advisory program management environmental and digital disciplines as required

Qualifications :

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

  • BA/BS in Electrical Engineering or Power Systems Engineering  6 years of related experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education
  • 6 years of related experience in electric utility distribution planning distribution system analysis or closely related power-system planning experience.
  • Demonstrated hands-on experience performing distribution system planning studies
  • Experience with CYME Synergi Electric WindMil ETAP or comparable distribution analysis software
  • Demonstrated knowledge of distribution load flow voltage thermal capacity contingency and reliability analysis
  • Experience evaluating feeder and/or substation capacity requirements and developing system improvement alternatives

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

  • Masters Degree in Electrical Engineering or Power Systems Engineering
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license or progress toward licensure
  • Prior electric utility distribution-planning experience
  • Advanced experience with CYME and/or Synergi Electric
  • Experience with distribution load forecasting tools and methodologies
  • Experience with DER EV energy storage hosting-capacity and electrification studies
  • Experience with integrated distribution planning and non-wires alternatives
  • Familiarity with GIS SCADA AMI ADMS DERMS or other utility systems and data sources used to support distribution planning
  • Python SQL Power BI or other data-analysis/automation experience
  • Experience developing distribution capital plans or supporting utility regulatory filings
  • Strong analytical technical-writing and client-communication skills

Additional Information :

  • Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position.
  • Relocation is not available for this position.

At AECOM we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

 

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status AECOM benefits may include medical dental vision life AD&D disability benefits paid time off leaves of absences voluntary benefits perks flexible work options well-being resources employee assistance program business travel insurance service recognition awards retirement savings plan and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities we solve our clients complex challenges in water environment energy transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle from advisory planning design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at . 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts youll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills helping you build the career youve always envisioned. Here youll find a welcoming workplace built on respect collaboration and communitywhere you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 


Remote Work :

No


Employment Type :

Full-time


About Company

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At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients ... View more

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