Senior Electrical Design Engineer - Decatur, IL

Senior Electrical Design Engineer - Decatur, IL

This is a permanent, full-time, exempt-level position.

ADM is seeking an Electrical Design Engineer who will be responsible for developing, reviewing, and issuing electrical engineering and design deliverables for ADM facilities across North America.

The Electrical Design Engineer is a pivotal technical lead with design and engineering scope across the high voltage (HV), medium voltage (MV), and low voltage (LV) power systems. The role routinely reviews engineering packages produced by EPCs and external engineering firms, ensures compliance with applicable codes/standards and project requirements, and develops Front End Loading (FEL 1 / FEL 2 / FEL
3) engineering packages to support capital project execution.

The position interfaces closely with CAPEX, Electrical Studies, Operations, Procurement, Construction, and Commissioning to deliver safe, constructible, and maintainable electrical solutions.

• Review EPC and consultant deliverables for technical correctness, completeness, constructability, maintainability, and compliance with project requirements
• Perform interdisciplinary reviews (civil/structural, mechanical, process, I&C) to resolve interface issues (e.g., electrical room layouts, equipment access, hazardous area impacts, heat loads, routing, grounding interfaces)
• Verify that engineering documents are aligned to the project phase (FEL 1/2/3, IFC), design basis, and scope boundaries
• Lead comment resolution cycles: consolidate comments, chair review meetings, track closure, and verify incorporation into revised deliverables
• Ensure vendor data, assumptions, and calculations support the design (e.g., motor starting method, fault duties, grounding method, cable derating assumptions)

• Develop and/or review electrical design for:
  • HV/MV distribution (substations, switch gear, transformers, feeders, protection and control, metering)
  • LV distribution (MCCs, panel boards, switchboards, UPS, DC systems, emergency power)
  • Motors and drives (across the line, soft starters, VFDs, harmonic mitigation)
  • Standby and prime power generation systems, synchronizing concepts (where applicable)
• Produce and check power system calculations and engineering analyses, including:
  • Load studies and load lists; demand factors and diversity
  • Cable sizing and voltage drop; ampacity/derating; short circuit withstand
  • Short circuit studies and equipment duty verification (in conjunction with the Electrical Studies Team)
  • Protective device coordination and settings philosophy (in conjunction with Protection Engineer)
  • Arc‑flash risk assessment inputs and labeling requirements (in conjunction with the Electrical Studies Team)
  • Grounding system design (touch/step, grid sizing concept as applicable)
  • Lighting calculations and emergency lighting coverage (where in scope)
• Provide electrical equipment selection and technical justification (gear ratings, enclosure selection, environmental considerations, reliability and redundancy philosophy)

• Establish electrical basis of design (high-level) and initial design criteria.
• Develop conceptual single line diagrams, load summaries, and preliminary equipment concepts (substations, voltage levels, starting philosophy).
• Evaluate alternatives (e.g., MV vs LV distribution, redundancy levels, starter/VFD strategy, outdoor vs indoor substations) and contribute to Class 4/5 cost and schedule inputs.

• Develop FEED level deliverables: refined SLDs, preliminary layouts, key equipment lists, design narratives, and preliminary specifications.
• Identify long lead equipment and procurement strategy inputs.
• Progress key calculations to support equipment selection and cost accuracy (typically Class 3 estimate support).

• Develop execution ready engineering packages suitable for detailed design / IFC development:
  • Electrical equipment specifications and datasheets
  • Cable schedules, termination requirements, installation details
  • Raceway and routing concepts; grounding and bonding details
  • Electrical room and substation layouts; duct bank and manhole concepts
  • Construction work packages inputs and scope definitions

• Write and maintain equipment and installation specifications for HV/MV/LV systems (switch gear, MCCs, transformers, UPS, batteries, cable, terminations, trays, conduit, grounding).
• Prepare technical bid tabulations, evaluate vendor proposals, and recommend awards based on compliance, risk, lifecycle, and operability.
• Review vendor drawings and data books; ensure integration with plant standards and project requirements.
• Identify deviations, manage technical clarifications, and support contract change evaluations.

• Apply applicable safety and design…