Job Description
Job Description
Design QA/QC Lead – Overhead Distribution
Detroit, MI
Job Summary
The Design QA/QC Lead – Overhead Distribution serves as the first-line independent technical reviewer for conversion and overhead distribution work packages within the OHD QA/QC function. This role performs structured 30%, 60%, and 90% design reviews of work submitted by external design service providers to ensure compliance with Distribution Design Operating (DDO) standards, constructability requirements, safety expectations, and applicable engineering criteria.
The position provides an independent quality review layer over the existing engineering process rather than redesigning the process. The Design QA/QC Lead is also expected to engage during the 0–30% project development window to help establish project scope, design criteria, and quality expectations before formal design begins.
The position reports to the QA/QC Engineering Supervisor, who retains final review authority and sign-off. This role has no direct supervisory responsibility.
Key Responsibilities
- Conduct structured 30%, 60%, and 90% design reviews of overhead conversion and distribution work packages.
- Review external design deliverables for compliance with DDO standards, engineering standards, construction details, and applicable design criteria.
- Verify design accuracy related to:
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- Conductor sizing and ampacity
- Voltage drop and voltage regulation
- Clearances
- Grounding and neutral continuity
- Pole class and loading
- Armless and crossarm construction
- Review conversion-specific design requirements, including 4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion impacts, insulation levels, arrester and cutout ratings, and related secondary system changes.
- Evaluate constructability and safety considerations, including tree trimming, joint-use coordination, top-cut sequencing, and construction list completeness.
- Perform field site visits as required to verify existing conditions, design accuracy, and constructability.
- Identify, document, and track standards exceptions and non-standard designs; coordinate deviations with the Standards group for appropriate disposition.
- Maintain accurate logs of design findings, RFIs, review outcomes, exceptions, and corrective actions.
- Identify recurring design defects and trends and contribute to QA/QC lessons learned, checklist updates, standards clarifications, and reviewer training.
- Provide feedback on external design service provider performance, including design accuracy, completeness, rework frequency, and quality metrics.
- Partner with the QA/QC Engineering Supervisor to validate and refine AI-assisted design review tools supporting overhead distribution and conversion projects.
- Provide clear, specific, and technically defensible feedback to design service providers and escalate unresolved issues when necessary.
- Manage multiple design review packages and review cycles while maintaining strong documentation and quality standards.
Technical Review Scope
The Design QA/QC Lead will independently evaluate design packages across areas including:
- Conductor loading, ampacity, and approved conductor sizes
- Voltage drop and voltage regulation for new overhead laterals
- Transformer sizing and loading, including oversized or undersized transformer identification
- Fuse sizing and coordination with upstream protective devices
- Vertical and horizontal clearances over roadways, driveways, structures, and other applicable locations
- NESC and utility-specific clearance requirements
- Pole loading analysis triggers, wind/ice loading zones, and pole class requirements
- Grounding requirements, neutral continuity, and ground rod spacing
- 4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion equipment and design requirements
- Standards exceptions and non-standard design documentation
- Armless versus crossarm construction requirements
- Span length and sag/tension table verification
- Construction and material list completeness, including CU text accuracy
- Stakeholder and permitting status, including Real Estate, Environmental, Construction, Forestry, and Project Management coordination
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Engineering Technology, or a related engineering discipline.
- Senior Level: Minimum 6 years of relevant experience in overhead distribution design, engineering, or construction.
- Advanced Level: Minimum 8 years of relevant experience, including demonstrated independent technical review or design QA/QC experience.
- Strong knowledge of overhead electric distribution design principles and engineering practices.
- Ability to independently assess design adequacy, constructability, and compliance rather than relying solely on checklist reviews.
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and technical documentation skills.
- Ability to manage multiple concurrent design packages and review schedules.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred Qualifications
- Working knowledge of Distribution Design Operating (DDO) standards and utility construction standards, or equivalent overhead distribution standards.
- Direct experience with 4.8kV to 13.2kV conversion projects or comparable utility voltage conversion work.
- Experience with 30%, 60%, and 90% staged design review processes.
- Experience with sag/tension analysis, pole loading analysis, or related engineering verification tools.
- Familiarity with Maximo, Documentum, and Bluebeam.
- Experience identifying, documenting, and resolving standards exceptions and design deviations.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred but not required.
- Experience working with external engineering/design service providers.
\nCompany Description
Zobility is RGBSI's workforce management and staffing division. RGBSI is a multi-national corporation headquartered in Troy, MI with branches throughout the USA, Canada, Germany, and India.
Company Description
Zobility is RGBSI's workforce management and staffing division. RGBSI is a multi-national corporation headquartered in Troy, MI with branches throughout the USA, Canada, Germany, and India.