Senior Designer

Job Title: Distribution Designer
Job Description
The Distribution Designer supports electric utility distribution projects from initial concept through completed design, with a balanced mix of office-based design work and field activities. You collaborate closely with engineers, project managers, and other designers to develop safe, reliable, and cost-effective overhead and underground electric distribution solutions. In this role, you collect field data, prepare detailed design layouts, develop bills of materials, and ensure all designs comply with applicable utility standards and permitting requirements. You work under the guidance of technical staff while benefiting from strong technical mentorship and a clear growth path within the utility power industry.
Responsibilities

• Design aerial and underground electric distribution systems, including primary, secondary, and service lines, in accordance with utility and project standards.
• Lay out new overhead and underground lines, including reconductoring projects, pole replacements, and underground duct banks, while identifying and resolving potential utility conflicts.
• Collect accurate field data by performing field surveying activities, including taking detailed notes, sketches, measurements, and photos to support constructible designs.
• Produce detailed design drawings and layouts using AutoCAD and utility design software that meet utility-specific and client standards.
• Use utility design tools such as AUD and SpidaCalc to calculate clearances, loading, and pole class requirements, ensuring safe and reliable designs.
• Prepare accurate bills of materials, including material lists, labor units, and equipment quantities, to support construction planning and cost control.
• Coordinate permitting and clearances, including right-of-way requests, municipal permits, and other required approvals, to ensure timely project execution.
• Apply utility-specific design standards for pole lines, underground systems, reliability improvements, and maintenance projects.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams across design, engineering, and construction to align design solutions with project goals and field conditions.
• Support large-scale, mission-critical utility infrastructure projects that directly impact grid reliability and community infrastructure.
• Participate in both office and field work to validate designs, address constructability issues, and incorporate field feedback into design revisions.
• Follow all safety guidelines and company procedures during field and office activities, including safe driving practices when traveling to project sites.

Essential Skills

• 5-10 years of experience in electric utility distribution design.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Proficiency with AUD for electric distribution design tasks.
• Demonstrated ability to design aerial and underground electric distribution systems, including primary, secondary, and service lines.
• Experience with overhead and/or underground electric distribution systems, including line layout, reconductoring, pole replacements, and underground duct banks.
• Hands-on experience with utility design software, including AUD and tools such as SpidaCalc, to calculate clearances, loading, and pole class requirements.
• Field surveying skills, including collecting accurate field notes, sketches, measurements, and photos to support constructible designs.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD to produce detailed design drawings and layouts that meet utility and client standards.
• Experience applying utility-specific design standards for pole lines, underground systems, reliability improvements, and maintenance projects.
• Experience working on projects for a major utility in the region, including familiarity with their processes and expectations.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.
• Ability to meet drug testing requirements associated with utility projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with Mid-Atlantic utilities and familiarity with their design and construction practices.
• Familiarity with AUD, SpidaCalc, and a range of utility-specific design standards beyond core requirements.
• Prior experience in field surveying and design coordination, including working closely with construction and operations teams.
• Experience using GIS or related tools to support utility design and mapping activities.
• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in preparing bills of materials, labor units, and equipment quantities.
• Ability to work effectively in a multidisciplinary team environment, collaborating with designers, engineers, and project managers.
• Interest in long-term career development in the utility power industry, with a desire to grow into higher level design, engineering, or project management roles.

Work Environment
This role offers a mix of office and field work, providing both technical design exposure and hands-on field experience. Office work typically occurs during standard business hours, with potential flexibility depending on project needs. Field assignments may involve travel to project sites and exposure to all weather conditions while performing surveys, inspections, and data collection. The position may require lifting up to 50 pounds during field activities and handling equipment or materials as needed. You work closely with multidisciplinary teams across design, engineering, and construction, using tools such as AutoCAD, AUD, SpidaCalc, GIS, and other utility design software in a collaborative, project-driven environment. The work focuses on stable, long-term utility infrastructure projects that support essential electric systems and contribute directly to grid reliability and community infrastructure.higher level
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ashland, VA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $40.87 - $48.08/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 1, 2026.
About Actalent


Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.


The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.


If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email View email address on click.appcast.io for other accommodation options.



San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.



Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.



Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.