Distribution Engineer

Distribution Engineer (Remote)

The Distribution Engineer leads client-facing engineering projects in the natural gas utility sector, serving as the primary point of contact for project communication and ensuring successful delivery of design work. This role oversees project scope, risk, resources, and workload distribution while driving process improvements and mentoring team members. The engineer ensures that all designs and deliverables comply with applicable codes, standards, and client requirements and consistently meets schedule and budget expectations.

Responsibilities:

• Lead client meetings and serve as the primary point of contact for all project-related communication.
• Provide comprehensive project oversight, including scope management, risk assessment, resource planning, and workload distribution across the project team.
• Deliver clear project status updates, workload forecasts, and performance metrics to clients and internal stakeholders.
• Review and approve engineering and design estimates, ensuring alignment with client expectations, internal standards, and established cost-estimating procedures.
• Perform final design reviews, pre-project management reviews, and AFC (Approved for Construction) releases, serving as the final reviewer when required.
• Ensure all designs and project deliverables comply with applicable codes, company standards, environmental regulations, and client requirements.
• Drive process improvements and support continuous operational efficiency within the distribution design and drafting workflows.
• Mentor and develop team members by providing guidance, training, and technical leadership in engineering, drafting, permitting, and related disciplines.
• Monitor project KPIs and team performance to support successful project execution and continuous improvement.
• Complete assigned projects and tasks on schedule and within established budgeted hours.
• Collaborate with internal teams on survey plans, cross sections, and permitting documentation to support gas distribution projects.
• Apply sound engineering judgment to gas pipe and utility distribution design, including drafting and CAD work.
• Support coordination of design activities with transmission and distribution teams as the organization expands its capabilities.
• Perform other engineering and project-related duties as assigned.

Essential Skills:

• Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering field from an ABET-accredited university.
• Experience in the natural gas industry, with exposure to gas utility and gas pipe distribution projects.
• Proficiency in distribution design, including gas utility system layout and associated engineering principles.
• Hands-on experience with AutoCAD and CAD-based drafting for utility and gas pipe design.
• Ability to interpret and produce design drafting documents, cross sections, survey plans, and permitting drawings.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to mentor, guide, and provide technical direction to engineering and drafting team members.
• Demonstrated capability in project oversight, including scope management, risk assessment, resource planning, and workload distribution.
• Ability to review and approve engineering estimates and ensure alignment with client standards and cost-estimating procedures.
• Working knowledge of environmental regulations relevant to gas utility and distribution projects.
• Strong communication skills for leading client meetings and delivering project status updates and performance metrics.
• Ability to ensure compliance with applicable codes, company standards, and client requirements in all project deliverables.
• Proven ability to complete assignments on schedule and within established budgeted hours.

Additional Skills & Qualifications:

• Experience with permitting processes related to gas utility and distribution projects.
• Familiarity with survey plans and cross-section development for utility design.
• Background in engineering drafting and coordination of multi-disciplinary project teams.
• Experience supporting process improvement initiatives and operational efficiency within engineering or utility environments.
• Interest in working on both distribution and transmission-related projects as the organization expands its transmission team.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across multiple time zones in a fully remote environment.
• Strong organizational skills and attention to detail in managing project documentation and deliverables.

Work Environment:

This role operates in a 100% remote work environment, with team members located across multiple states and time zones. Core collaboration hours are 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM, with flexibility in start and end times based on the candidate's location, agreed upon before onboarding. The expectation is that most of the workday overlaps with core business hours to ensure access to training, IT support, and team resources. The organization emphasizes a strong work-life balance and maintains a typical 40-hour workweek with no overtime expected. The culture is built on trust, allowing employees to work where and when they are most productive while meeting project commitments. The company is growing year over year, actively investing in building out its transmission team, and consistently receives a steady workload from major utility clients and other partners. Work is performed using modern engineering and drafting tools, including AutoCAD and CAD platforms, in a collaborative, supportive remote setting.

Job Type & Location:

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Woodridge, IL.

Pay and Benefits:

The pay range for this position is $38.00 - $54.50/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors. 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 Sep 9, 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.