Entry Level Distribution Engineer

Job Description
The Distribution Engineer supports power distribution infrastructure upgrades and storm hardening projects across Florida, with an initial focus on utility clients in the region. This role combines office-based engineering and design work with periodic field visits to assess existing conditions and collect data. The engineer performs calculations and prepares construction design packages for overhead-to-underground conversions, cable replacement, reconductoring, and pole replacement, ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective power distribution systems that meet utility standards and regulatory requirements.
Responsibilities:

• Perform engineering calculations and design for replacing deteriorating cable, relocating overhead lines to underground, reconductoring existing distribution lines, and replacing aging poles.
• Conduct structural analysis of poles, including guying requirements, to ensure safe loading and compliance with applicable standards.
• Perform engineering calculations related to cable pulling, electric demand, fault currents, and coordination of protective devices.
• Conduct site visits and take detailed field notes, including visual inspections, equipment inventories, measurements, sketches, photographs, and documentation of field conditions.
• Compare field data to base plans and reconcile discrepancies to ensure accurate designs.
• Evaluate loading of equipment components such as transformers and pole structures to ensure cost-effective, safe, and reliable designs using client specifications.
• Review and interpret design manuals, standards, and details from local jurisdictions and utilities.
• Determine and specify design requirements based on field data, client standards, and applicable regulations.
• Perform electric distribution designs using field notes and utility standards, including both overhead and underground configurations.
• Design and draft construction drawings using standard engineering fundamentals for approval by federal, state, and local agencies.
• Prepare complete project and job packages using appropriate software, including material estimates and material requisitions for distribution electrical designs.
• Review plans for proposed construction projects to determine potential impacts on existing distribution systems and recommend appropriate solutions.
• Develop solutions to conductor and structural clearance violations and related issues in existing systems.
• Develop final design plan packages for implementation of proposed solutions, ensuring constructability and compliance with standards.
• Ensure all assigned projects fulfill ISO compliance requirements and internal quality standards.
• Participate in bi-weekly, or more frequent as needed, project team meetings to review progress, address issues, and coordinate tasks.
• Collaborate closely with internal teams, utility clients, customers, and developers to clarify requirements and support project execution.
• Provide quality control (QC) review of design work, as appropriate, to maintain accuracy and consistency.
• Utilize design software tools such as BOUD, Bentley Open Utility Designer, Smallworld, AutoCAD, and related systems to create and manage distribution designs.
• Travel periodically for out-of-town field work, which may require an overnight stay or a full day of driving, using either a company vehicle or personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from a four-year ABET-accredited college or university.
• Prior work experience (engineering experience is not required, but some professional work experience is mandatory).
• Interest in the power, energy, or utilities industry.
• Understanding of basic engineering theories and principles.
• Understanding of basic practices for researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting those recommendations.
• Ability to perform electric distribution design work, including primary and secondary distribution systems, in alignment with utility standards.
• Ability to use design software packages for distribution design and drafting.
• General construction knowledge and aptitude related to utility infrastructure.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate frequently with customers.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with self-motivation, initiative, and a desire to learn.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals from diverse socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Ability to conduct field work, including site visits, measurements, photographs, and preparation of field reports.
• Ability to interpret and apply design manuals, standards, and details from local jurisdictions and utilities.
• Ability to perform structural loading evaluations for poles and equipment to ensure safe and reliable designs.
• Proficiency or ability to learn tools such as BOUD, Bentley Open Utility Designer, Smallworld, and AutoCAD for power distribution design.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience or basic knowledge of concepts in the electric utility industry, including primary and secondary distribution systems and utility standards.
• Experience in distribution design on utility systems, including work on major regional utility networks.
• Experience interacting with customers and developers on distribution projects.
• Current knowledge of BOUD/Maximo, Smallworld, and MicroStation.
• Experience with QC processes for engineering or design deliverables.
• EIT certification or having passed the Engineering Fundamentals (FE) exam.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience.
• Familiarity with grid modernization concepts and overhead and underground line design.
• Experience working within ISO-compliant quality systems.
• Experience working in a collaborative, project-based engineering environment.

Work Environment
The role is primarily based in a Class A office environment equipped with state-of-the-art technology and modern engineering tools. You work alongside experienced technical leaders and project teams in a collaborative and supportive setting that emphasizes professional growth, mentoring, and continuous learning. The company fosters an employee-owned culture where contributions directly influence success and where employees can participate in impactful power infrastructure projects, including renewable energy integration and data center initiatives. The environment includes flexible work arrangements, with potential remote work options depending on project needs. Comprehensive benefits typically include health coverage, retirement savings with company match, and tuition reimbursement to support ongoing development. Periodic field work is required, which involves travel for site visits, sometimes requiring an overnight stay or a full day of driving using either a company vehicle or personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement. Design work makes use of advanced software and systems for overhead and underground line design, supporting innovation and grid modernization efforts, all within a professional office setting with standard business attire.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tampa, FL.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $29.00/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 onsite position in Tampa,FL.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 2, 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.