5 Reasons to Pursue an Electrical Engineering Career in Electrical Distribution
- February 24, 2026
- News
Most people don’t get an engineering degree expecting to build an engineering career in electrical distribution, according to Elliot Paulsen, field services manager (and engineer) at Van Meter. Engineers often imagine designing electric cars, quantum computers, space shuttles, or time machines (Great Scott!).
So why do Paulsen, and other engineers, choose to work at a distributor like Van Meter? Here are five reasons to pursue an engineering career in electrical distribution.
Toni Etten, Aaron House and Elliot Paulsen
1. YOU’RE HELPING PEOPLE EVERY DAY AS AN ENGINEER IN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION
Paulsen wanted to be a mountain climber or an engineer when he was little. Only one turned out to be realistic.
He never pictured himself working for an electrical distributor. When he left an engineering field job to join Van Meter in 2015, he thought it would be more mundane. He found constant challenge and validation instead.
“At my old job, it would take a year or two to finish a project. Here, I was helping people find a solution they could implement and replicate every day,” he said.
Paulsen has a saying about engineering that goes, “You will only be successful when you get used to banging your head on the wall.” Sounds fun, right? But the challenge is what makes his job so rewarding.
“I came to realize I’m not just working at an electrical distributor. I am a solutions provider.”
2. EVERY DAY IS UNIQUE IN ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING CAREERS
He also came to realize that no two days are the same. Work could include anything from quarry mining automation to industrial robotics. Industrial automation engineering careers are full of variety within electrical distribution.
Toni Etten, Solution Architect at Van Meter (and electrical engineer), said the variety of challenges she faces makes her job more rewarding.
“The solutions I provide depend on the challenges our customers want to solve,” she said. “You never know what you’ll get into and who you’re going to help each day, so it’s been fun.”
That doesn’t mean she has to be an expert on everything. It is always a team effort to deliver the best solution.
Paulsen said, “There’s a supportive culture here with a lot of knowledgeable people in different industries. It’s a great place for someone out of college to discover what they like to do.”
3. ENGINEERING JOBS AT ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS OFFER REAL CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Aaron House was one of those fresh-out-of-college students who found his calling at Van Meter. House interned with the company before he joined full time in 2017. He’s been able to quickly grow as an engineer and leader during his time at Van Meter.
House started as an Automation Service Specialist performing Installed Base Evaluations for customers. In his free time, he learned more about motor control centers (MCCs) from Van Meter’s MCC team and eventually became an MCC Product Specialist.
“I’ve always appreciated Van Meter’s willingness to let people move around if they’re not in the right role,” said House. “It’s about creating an environment where you’re comfortable having that conversation with your leader. I’ve always felt like I can do that here.”
Van Meter gave House opportunities to develop leadership skills early in his career. He coached interns, helped with recruiting at Iowa State University and completed the Leadership for Five Seasons Program in Cedar Rapids.
“They’ve never hesitated to let me develop my skills. When a leadership opportunity presented itself, I felt prepared,” said House. “I really appreciate their focus on career development.”
Now, as Van Meter’s Packaged Power Manager, he’s helping others on his team thrive and perform independently like he was given the opportunity to do.
House has grown from a Van Meter intern 10 years ago to the leader of Van Meter’s Packaged Power team.
3. ENGINEERING JOBS AT ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTORS OFFER REAL CAREER ADVANCEMENT
Aaron House was one of those fresh-out-of-college students who found his calling at Van Meter. House interned with the company before he joined full time in 2017. He’s been able to quickly grow as an engineer and leader during his time at Van Meter.
House started as an Automation Service Specialist performing Installed Base Evaluations for customers. In his free time, he learned more about motor control centers (MCCs) from Van Meter’s MCC team and eventually became an MCC Product Specialist.
“I’ve always appreciated Van Meter’s willingness to let people move around if they’re not in the right role,” said House. “It’s about creating an environment where you’re comfortable having that conversation with your leader. I’ve always felt like I can do that here.”
Van Meter gave House opportunities to develop leadership skills early in his career. He coached interns, helped with recruiting at Iowa State University and completed the Leadership for Five Seasons Program in Cedar Rapids.
“They’ve never hesitated to let me develop my skills. When a leadership opportunity presented itself, I felt prepared,” said House. “I really appreciate their focus on career development.”
Now, as Van Meter’s Packaged Power Manager, he’s helping others on his team thrive and perform independently like he was given the opportunity to do.
From engineering degree to real‑world impact, explore how an engineering career in electrical distribution can evolve into technical, design, or field leadership roles at Van Meter.
4. ENGINEERING ROLES IN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION VALUE REAL-WORLD EXPERIENCE
Not all engineers in distribution get started right out of college like House did. Etten worked at a discrete manufacturer for 22 years before joining Van Meter. Her college degree was in electrical engineering, but she was able to work in various departments like quality, controls and IT.
“Once you have an engineering degree, opportunities open because people know you can learn and adapt quickly,” she said.
The experience gave her a different perspective she can use to help customers solve the challenges she once faced.
“I couldn’t have done this job without my previous experience, and I wouldn’t have the same appreciation for Van Meter. It’s a really great place to work.”
5. ELECTRICAL ENGINEERING JOBS WITH WORK-LIFE BALANCE ARE POSSIBLE
What makes it a great place to work for Etten? This is the first time since college that she hasn’t had an on-call phone to wake her up in the middle of the night. Paulsen has had a similar experience.
In his past job, he traveled the world, worked holidays and weekends, and frequently took calls in the middle of the night.
“I had to change my ringtone after every project because I had PTSD from waking up to it three or four times a night,” he joked.
Now, Paulsen has weekends and holidays off and no late-night calls. He said he gets to be more creative and enjoy what he’s doing to support customers without the round-the-clock pressure.
“Van Meter values my work-life balance. It doesn’t dictate it.”
“Van Meter values my work-life balance. It doesn’t dictate it.” - Elliot Paulsen, Field Services Manager (and engineer) at Van Meter
EXPERIENCE AN ENGINEERING CAREER IN ELECTRICAL DISTRIBUTION AT VAN METER
Could you see yourself becoming an engineer at Van Meter? Visit Van Meter’s careers page to explore full‑time roles and engineering internships in electrical distribution, including opportunities in automation, packaged power and industrial solutions. Please contact Van Meter’s recruiting team or utilize the form below if you want to discuss an internship opportunity.