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What does a power distribution engineer do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read

Power distribution engineers must have a bachelor's degree from an ABET accredited school, though some colleges will offer an associate degree program in electrical engineering as a steppingstone to a four-year degree. This position demands skills in distribution and electrical systems, CAD, technical support, PLC, electrical design, and NFPA. Those who choose this career will be primarily responsible for the upgrading, expansion, maintenance, and automation of power distribution systems for utility clients using software and construction standards.

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Power distribution engineer responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real power distribution engineer resumes:

  • Develop LabVIEW code to automate test procedures and to communicate with units for verification of functionality and accuracy.
  • Perform multiple augments installing and adding new devices/servers along with adding configurations for video streaming using Unix and checking router configurations.
  • Ensure safety in all job sites through continuous enforcement of mandatory observance of local/national codes and OSHA regulatory compliances.

Power distribution engineer skills and personality traits

We calculated that 23% of Power Distribution Engineers are proficient in Technical Reports, Distribution Systems, and Electrical Systems. They’re also known for soft skills such as Initiative, Speaking skills, and Writing skills.

We break down the percentage of Power Distribution Engineers that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Technical Reports, 23%

    Reviewed and prepared all technical reports for customers and field technicians.

  • Distribution Systems, 16%

    Coordinated troubleshooting, maintenance and repairs on power distribution systems.

  • Electrical Systems, 10%

    Assisted in testing of all electrical systems once installed to ensure safeness and stability.

  • CAD, 8%

    Gained proficiency in CAD, design control, Chemical compatibility, Geometric dimensions and tolerance, Statistical analysis.

  • Technical Support, 7%

    Helped increase equipment availability factor by responding to emergent issues and providing technical support to safely meet outages schedules.

  • PLC, 6%

    Created electrical schematics and machine electrical components B/M - Performed troubleshooting on PLC based automated machinery.

"technical reports," "distribution systems," and "electrical systems" are among the most common skills that power distribution engineers use at work. You can find even more power distribution engineer responsibilities below, including:

Initiative. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a power distribution engineer to have is initiative. Their role and responsibilities require that "electrical and electronics engineers must apply their knowledge to new tasks in every project they undertake." Power distribution engineers often use initiative in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "led initiative to standardize css, themes and javascript for cross browser and cross platform support. "

Speaking skills. Many power distribution engineer duties rely on speaking skills. "electrical and electronics engineers work closely with other engineers and technicians," so a power distribution engineer will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways power distribution engineer responsibilities rely on speaking skills: "represented project management on all matters regarding quality. "

Writing skills. This is an important skill for power distribution engineers to perform their duties. For an example of how power distribution engineer responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "electrical and electronics engineers develop technical publications related to equipment they develop, including maintenance manuals, operation manuals, parts lists, product proposals, and design methods documents." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a power distribution engineer: "project engineer, project management, resident technical expert, and technical writing skills. ".

Math skills. power distribution engineer responsibilities often require "math skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "electrical and electronics engineers must use the principles of calculus and other advanced math in order to analyze, design, and troubleshoot equipment." This resume example shows what power distribution engineers do with math skills on a typical day: "developed a visual c++ (mfc) based application to calculate real time statistics for gps sessions. "

See the full list of power distribution engineer skills

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Compare different power distribution engineers

Power distribution engineer vs. Electrical designer

An electrical designer designs and develops electrical circuit and system layouts for electric power distribution. The responsibilities of an electrical designer include assembling electrical panels and leading a team of document control personnel in-charged to identify and organize facility maintenance drawings. The position requires good initiative, writing, speaking, and mathematical skills to accomplish such responsibilities. The job's education requirements include possessing a college degree in electrical engineering, design, or a related field.

The annual salary of electrical designers is $15,301 lower than the average salary of power distribution engineers.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both power distribution engineer and electrical designer positions are skilled in electrical systems, plc, and electrical design.

These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a power distribution engineer are more likely to require skills like "technical reports," "distribution systems," "distribution design," and "cad." On the other hand, a job as an electrical designer requires skills like "revit," "autocad electrical," "ul," and "electrical schematics." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.

Electrical designers tend to make the most money working in the manufacturing industry, where they earn an average salary of $72,768. In contrast, power distribution engineers make the biggest average salary, $93,005, in the finance industry.On average, electrical designers reach lower levels of education than power distribution engineers. Electrical designers are 15.0% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.3% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Power distribution engineer vs. Senior electrical designer

A Senior Electrical Designer is in charge of creating electrical schematics, layouts, and other grid plans for their organization, as well as providing the best solution for improvements. They supervise the material, construction, labor costs, and project timescales.

A career as a senior electrical designer brings a higher average salary when compared to the average annual salary of a power distribution engineer. In fact, senior electrical designers salary is $7,628 higher than the salary of power distribution engineers per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both power distribution engineers and senior electrical designers have skills such as "electrical systems," "plc," and "electrical design. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, power distribution engineer responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "technical reports," "distribution systems," "distribution design," and "cad." Meanwhile, a senior electrical designer has duties that require skills in areas such as "revit," "electrical equipment," "autocad electrical," and "oil gas." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Senior electrical designers may earn a higher salary than power distribution engineers, but senior electrical designers earn the most pay in the manufacturing industry with an average salary of $90,234. On the other hand, power distribution engineers receive higher pay in the finance industry, where they earn an average salary of $93,005.In general, senior electrical designers achieve lower levels of education than power distribution engineers. They're 14.6% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Power distribution engineer vs. Electrical engineer internship

The electrical engineer internship offers tasks to undergraduate engineering students related to electrical systems analysis and branch circuiting, site investigations, lighting calculations, and design drawings by complementing theoretical knowledge with practical duties on the job to gain experience and increase marketability. Through the internship, the undergraduate engineering students may develop professional aptitude, strengthen their character, and may increase their confidence in their work as it prepares them for what to expect in their field.

On average, electrical engineer interns earn lower salaries than power distribution engineers, with a $16,833 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on power distribution engineers and electrical engineer interns resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "electrical systems," "cad," and "plc.rdquo;

The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, power distribution engineers are more likely to have skills like "technical reports," "distribution systems," "distribution design," and "technical support." But a electrical engineer internship is more likely to have skills like "c++," "c #," "analog," and "revit."

Electrical engineer interns make a very good living in the hospitality industry with an average annual salary of $66,132. On the other hand, power distribution engineers are paid the highest salary in the finance industry, with average annual pay of $93,005.electrical engineer interns typically earn lower educational levels compared to power distribution engineers. Specifically, they're 9.2% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Power distribution engineer vs. Engineer

Engineers are highly trained professionals who determine the feasibility of various projects, usually related to the construction industry. They are considered experts in mathematics and science, two disciplines that they need to use in designing and coming up with plans for projects. They should also be well-versed in different construction or industrial materials, and they ensure that appropriate materials are used for the project. They also ensure that the projects meet the requirements of the groups that hired them. They create spaces that would both address the needs of the end-users and the industry standards. They also ensure that the projects they make would stand the test of time.

Engineers typically earn higher pay than power distribution engineers. On average, engineers earn a $11,846 higher salary per year.While both power distribution engineers and engineers complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like electrical systems, cad, and technical support, the two careers vary in some skills.Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A power distribution engineer uses "technical reports," "distribution systems," "distribution design," and "electrical design." Engineers are more likely to have duties that require skills in "python," "cloud," "c++," and "c #. "engineers enjoy the best pay in the automotive industry, with an average salary of $97,672. For comparison, power distribution engineers earn the highest salary in the finance industry.In general, engineers hold lower degree levels compared to power distribution engineers. Engineers are 6.5% less likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of power distribution engineer

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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