Associate Engineer

Job Title: Engineer I - Power Generation Design and Construction
Job Description
This early-career engineering role supports power generation design and construction activities at a large power plant. You will apply engineering processes, design criteria, and software tools to develop system designs and construction packages, review contractor work, and support project execution. The position blends office-based design and field work, requiring frequent collaboration with internal teams, contractors, and plant personnel to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient plant operation.
Responsibilities

• Apply established engineering processes, design criteria, and software applications to support power-related system design for plant projects.
• Support the preparation of cost estimates, develop design options, and prepare clear and accurate construction specifications.
• Provide oversight and quality assurance reviews for contractor-developed designs, drawings, and cost estimates to ensure compliance with standards and project requirements.
• Support planning, design, construction, operation, and maintenance activities for power generation systems and related plant equipment.
• Collaborate with internal departments and cross-functional teams to understand workflows and integrate engineering deliverables into broader project execution.
• Utilize design-related software applications, including CAD tools, while following established design standards and procedures.
• Contribute to the development and refinement of design standards and criteria to improve consistency and quality of engineering deliverables.
• Provide ongoing technical support to construction and maintenance teams in daily operations, including troubleshooting and field issue resolution.
• Perform walkdowns and field verifications, including redlining and marking up mechanical prints, P&IDs, and other drawings to reflect as-built conditions.
• Estimate materials, quantities, and resources, and assist with the preparation and transmission of construction packages, drawings, and specifications.
• Support coordination with contractors and vendors, helping to clarify design intent, resolve questions, and monitor adherence to project requirements.
• Review and interpret mechanical, piping, and electrical drawings as needed to support design, construction, and maintenance activities.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering from an accredited program.
• 0-5 years of related engineering experience, ideally in power generation, utilities, or heavy industrial environments.
• Hands-on experience conducting walkdowns, field verification, redlining drawings, and performing site inspections.
• Experience walking down and marking up mechanical prints and P&IDs in an industrial or plant setting.
• CAD experience tied to real projects, using tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar, specifically supporting mechanical or piping systems and P&IDs.
• Ability to work effectively in power generation, heavy industrial, or related plant environments.
• Experience supporting mechanical systems, piping, or plant equipment in an industrial or plant-based work environment (e.g., power plants, manufacturing facilities, refineries).
• Ability to review and work with mechanical prints, P&IDs, and electrical drawings.
• Capability to support budget preparation and contractor oversight within engineering or construction projects.
• Willingness to be local to the plant area or to relocate at personal expense.
• Strong work ethic, reliability, and a positive, proactive attitude.
• Ability to build effective working relationships with plant staff, engineering teams, contractors, and vendors.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Introductory engineering knowledge and solid problem-solving skills, with the ability to apply engineering fundamentals to practical field situations.
• Basic understanding of discipline-specific software tools used in engineering design and documentation.
• Ability to make sound decisions based on established procedures with guidance and support from a supervisor.
• Experience supporting construction packages or design deliverables, including drawings, specifications, and material lists.
• Exposure to contractor coordination or vendor interaction within an industrial or utility environment.
• Participation in an internship or rotation program at a utility, power generation facility, or similar industrial organization.
• Familiarity with utility or power plant design standards and practices, including standardization of drawings and specifications.
• Experience in environments where field work and design responsibilities overlap, such as plant engineering or project engineering roles.
• Strong communication skills, with the ability to clearly document field findings and translate them into accurate design updates.
• Ability to collaborate across disciplines and adapt to changing project priorities in a fast-paced plant environment.

Work Environment
This role is fully onsite at a power plant facility in Rincon, Georgia, specifically at Plant McIntosh. You will work in a heavy industrial, power generation environment that combines office-based design work with frequent time in the field and on the plant floor. The position involves working around operating equipment, piping systems, and other plant infrastructure, requiring adherence to safety procedures and use of appropriate personal protective equipment. You will interact daily with plant operations, maintenance personnel, contractors, and engineering staff, supporting both active construction projects and ongoing plant operations. The work environment emphasizes safety, teamwork, and hands-on problem solving, with regular field walkdowns, site inspections, and verification of as-built conditions alongside the use of engineering and CAD software tools in an office setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Savannah, GA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $35.00/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 Savannah,GA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 10, 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.


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