Consultant - Distribution Planning – 1898 %26 Co

At 1898 & Co., a part of Burns & McDonnell, we help shape the future of electric distribution systems across North America. Our Grid Modernization & Distribution Planning team partners with utilities to improve grid performance, reliability, and resiliency while preparing the grid for future challenges such as distributed energy resources, electrification, and digitalization. As part of Burns & McDonnell, we combine deep engineering expertise, data driven insights, and consulting experience to deliver innovative and practical solutions.

We are seeking a Distribution Planning Consultant who is passionate about electric distribution systems, grid modernization, and the technical challenges shaping the future of the distribution grid. This role will contribute directly to project execution by performing distribution system studies, supporting grid technology evaluations, analyzing technical and economic alternatives, and helping clients make informed planning decisions. The ideal candidate will have a strong technical foundation in distribution system studies, modeling, and grid technologies, along with the ability to support high-quality client deliverables and collaborate across multidisciplinary project teams.

What You’ll Do

• Perform a broad range of distribution planning studies and consulting services such as load flow, reliability, system impact, hosting capacity, and distributed energy resource impact analyses for electric distribution systems.
• Execute distribution system planning studies using industry standard software such as CYME, Synergi, Windmil, SKM, ETAP, or equivalent modeling tools.
• Evaluate distribution system performance, simulations, equipment loading, voltage conditions, reliability impacts, and recommended facility upgrades or reconfiguration solutions.
• Analyze non-wire alternatives and distributed energy resource integration strategies, incorporating technical and economic considerations into client recommendations.
• Support evaluations of operational technologies and grid device integration, including outage management systems and distribution management systems, to help assess client needs and planning impacts.
• Analyze engineering, financial, and economic data to develop actionable insights for distribution planning and grid modernization projects.
• Conduct risk assessments and support technical evaluations related to grid performance, reliability, resiliency, modernization, and future distribution system needs.
• Develop technical reports, documentation, and presentations summarizing study assumptions, findings, results, and recommendations.
• Support project managers with client deliverables, proposal development, project execution, and business development efforts for distribution planning, grid modernization, and DER integration consulting services.
• Participate in client meetings, technical reviews, planning sessions, conferences, and industry forums to support distribution planning engagements and represent 1898 & Co. thought leadership.
• Collaborate with adjacent business lines to support integrated client solutions.
• Contribute to the technical accuracy, quality, and consistency of deliverables through documentation, QA/QC support, and adherence to company quality standards.
• Comply with all company safety policies, quality standards, and project delivery expectations.
• Perform other duties as assigned.