--- title: 'Utility Civil Engineer at Valdes Architecture & Engineering' canonical: 'https://feeny.ai/job/utility-civil-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-n6nnsz89jbv3' type: 'job' last_seen: '2026-10-18' --- # Utility Civil Engineer at Valdes Architecture & Engineering - **Company:** Valdes Architecture & Engineering - **Location:** Lombard, IL - **Employment:** full-time - **Work type:** hybrid - **Posted:** 2026-09-17 - **Last confirmed live:** 2026-10-18 - **Apply:** https://jobs.lever.co/valdeseng/815d578e-f126-4b64-a163-44104c530ee4 ## Job description Seasoned Substation Engineer with experience in single lines, site plans, electrical plans/sections, grounding, and equipment specifications. Knowledge of transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, arresters, potential & current transformers, and control houses. This individual interfaces with client engineering representatives and other discipline engineers within the Valdes A&E organization.May visit job site as required for exchange of information. ## Responsibilities - Strong knowledge of utility engineering, including electrical power delivery and civil engineering, with the ability to lead, mentor, and support junior staff while delivering projects on time and within budget - Prepare multidisciplinary design packages including one-lines, site plans, electrical plans/sections, conduit and grounding plans, civil grading/drainage plans, foundations, and bills of materials - Coordinate high-voltage substation physical design, including equipment layouts, foundations, grounding, conduit/cable routing, duct banks, and associated civil infrastructure - Perform and/or oversee AC/DC load calculations, cable routing, grounding, civil/site design, and other engineering calculations - Familiarity with protection and controls, utility interfaces, and power delivery systems - Coordinate engineering and drafting activities across electrical, civil, structural, and other disciplines to develop complete and constructible drawings - Coordinate with clients, utility representatives, contractors, and other discipline engineers, including on-site coordination and field support - Maintain positive client relationships and provide technical leadership, design review, and mentoring throughout the project lifecycle Site Duties - Physical design of utility substations and associated civil infrastructure - Equipment selection, specifications, and civil/structural requirements - Bills of materials - Site plans, grading/drainage, plans/sections, foundations, conduit, and grounding - Control building and panel hardware specifications - Coordinate design activities with electrical, civil, structural, and other disciplines - Develop civil and electrical construction details and support constructability reviews - Develop sequence of construction identifying pre-outage work and civil/electrical construction activities Technical Competencies - Ability to communicate complex electrical and civil engineering issues in a clear, concise manner - Ability to multi-task and manage multiple priorities simultaneously - Strong verbal and written communication skills - Proficiency with SKM electrical modeling software and familiarity with applicable civil design tools ## Qualifications - Bachelor’s degree in Civil, Electrical, or related Engineering discipline - 3+ years of experience in utility, substation, power delivery, or civil infrastructure design - Experience with multidisciplinary substation design preferred - Exceptional interpersonal, communication, and organizational skills - Must be authorized to work in the U.S. without current or future sponsorship ## About Valdes Architecture & Engineering ## Company Overview - **One-liner**: Valdes Architecture & Engineering is a multidisciplinary engineering, architecture, and project management firm delivering capital project solutions primarily for industrial and facility markets. - **Entity Type**: Private - **Headquarters**: Lombard, Illinois, United States - **Founded**: 1992 - **Founders**: Robert (Bob) Valdes, PE, SE ## Core Business - **Primary industry/industries**: Engineering & Architecture, Project Management, Industrial Construction - **Target customers**: B2B; clients in oil & gas, chemicals, utilities, life sciences, manufacturing, science & technology, government, higher education, and agribusiness. - **Mission or purpose statement**: To deliver timely, cost-effective solutions for capital projects of any size, complexity, or location through a commitment to safety, quality, and client satisfaction [valdeseng.com]. ## Products & Services Valdes offers a full suite of in-house services covering the lifecycle of capital projects: - **Architecture**: Building design and planning. - **Civil Engineering**: Site development and infrastructure. - **Structural Engineering**: Analysis and design of structural systems. - **Mechanical & Electrical Engineering**: HVAC, plumbing, power, and lighting systems. - **Process Engineering**: Design for chemical, refining, and manufacturing processes. - **Instrumentation & Controls**: Automation and control system design. - **Piping & Plant Layout**: 3D modeling and piping stress analysis. - **Laser Scanning & Surveying**: Reality capture for existing conditions. - **Project Management**: Full project controls, cost estimating, procurement, and construction management. - **Validity & Integration**: Commissioning and system integration. - **Plant Services & Support**: Ongoing operational support and staffing services. ## Market Standing - **Valuation/Market Cap**: Not publicly available (Private company) - **Key Metric**: ~200 employees; completed over 7,300 projects across the United States [valdeseng.com]. - **Notable Investors/Partners**: Not publicly disclosed. Privately held and managed by founder and leadership. - **Growth Signals**: - Grew from a single-person civil/structural firm in 1992 to a 200-person multidisciplinary team. - Maintains long-term relationships with clients (still serves its very first client) [valdeseng.com]. - Holds multiple professional licenses (Architecture, Land Surveying, Professional Engineering, Structural Engineering). - Certified as a Minority-Owned Business Enterprise (MBE) by the NMSDC, Illinois CMS, City of Chicago, and California PUC. ## Competitive Advantages - **Minority-Owned Certification**: Certified MBE status is a differentiator for government and large corporate clients with diversity spend requirements. - **Deep Industry Expertise**: 30+ years of focused work in complex, high-stakes sectors like refining, chemicals, and utilities. - **Full U.S.-Based Execution**: All work is performed in the United States, ensuring quality control and compliance with domestic standards [valdeseng.com]. - **Integrated Multidisciplinary Model**: Offers architecture, engineering, and project management under one roof, reducing handoff friction for clients. ## Strategic Focus - **Expand Service Lines**: Has continuously added capabilities (e.g., process engineering, laser scanning, staffing services) to serve a broader range of client needs. - **Deepen Client Partnerships**: Emphasis on repeat business and long-term relationships, rather than transactional project work. - **Geographic Expansion**: Maintains offices in Illinois, Indiana, and Wisconsin, with an increasing ability to support projects across the U.S. ## Why Work Here - **Culture & Work Environment**: Emphasizes a collaborative, team-based atmosphere rooted in safety and quality. The company highlights a high number of long-term employees as a sign of a positive culture [valdeseng.com]. - **Flexibility**: Offers flexible schedules including a **9×4 weekly schedule option** and **remote work flexibility** [valdeseng.com]. - **Benefits Package**: Competitive salaries, 401(K) with company match, company-paid life/AD&D/STD/LTD insurance, PTO, and paid holidays (including Veterans Day for veterans). - **Professional Development**: Tuition reimbursement, reimbursement for annual license fees, in-house and external training, access to a Learning Management System (LMS), and a mentorship program. - **Diversity & Inclusion**: A certified Minority-Owned Business that states a commitment to diversity of thought and perspectives [valdeseng.com]. - **Recognition**: Employee of the Year award, anniversary milestone celebrations, and appreciation awards. - **Work Locations**: On-site roles are available in Lombard, IL; Griffith, IN; and Kenosha, WI. Some hybrid and remote positions are available for specific roles [lever.co]. ## Sources 1. [valdeseng.com](https://valdeseng.com/) 2. [valdeseng.com - Who We Are](https://valdeseng.com/who-we-are/) 3. [valdeseng.com - Careers](https://valdeseng.com/careers/) 4. [valdeseng.com - Benefits](https://valdeseng.com/benefits/) 5. [jobs.lever.co/valdeseng](https://jobs.lever.co/valdeseng) ## Other roles at Valdes Architecture & Engineering - [HR Specialist](https://feeny.ai/job/hr-specialist-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-prsz61hrkvkx) — Lombard, IL - [Civil Designer -Civil3D](https://feeny.ai/job/civil-designer-civil3d-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-1yw1eckdffgs) — Lombard, IL - [Project Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/project-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-wheatfield-5nqedy7prnnt) — Wheatfield, IN - [Inventory Management & Project Coordinator](https://feeny.ai/job/inventory-management-project-coordinator-valdes-architecture-engineering-67spt50c90av) — Wheatfield, IN - [Corrosion Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/corrosion-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-kokomo-sav4fpaw10wg) — Kokomo, IN - [Structural Designer](https://feeny.ai/job/structural-designer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-rkazm2s7jhxn) — Lombard, IL - [Assistant Project Manager](https://feeny.ai/job/assistant-project-manager-valdes-architecture-engineering-valparaiso-4e8apk4gzgnb) — Valparaiso, IN - [Cost Technician](https://feeny.ai/job/cost-technician-valdes-architecture-engineering-valparaiso-5wa242cz0bpn) — Valparaiso, IN - [Senior Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/senior-mechanical-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-7ggekb7ht5s5) — Lombard, IL - [Principal Mechanical Engineer](https://feeny.ai/job/principal-mechanical-engineer-valdes-architecture-engineering-lombard-c7pwk5wvyz37) — Lombard, IL