Distribution Design Engineering I

Job Description

Job Description

Job Title: Distribution Design Engineer I Job Description

This role focuses on planning, engineering, and designing electric and gas distribution systems to support reliable power delivery. You determine the need, size, location, and timing of power infrastructure development while balancing economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability considerations. You work under supervision on less complex projects and assignments, solving routine technical problems using established procedures and basic engineering principles. This position offers strong growth potential within a leading power industry engineering organization that supports major utilities across the United States and contributes to improved grid infrastructure.

• Plan and design electric and gas distribution systems, ensuring reliable and efficient power delivery.
• Develop work packages for overhead distribution, underground residential distribution, and underground cable and conduit projects.
• Perform field engineering to gather project requirements and verify existing conditions.
• Identify conflicting utilities and other field constraints that may impact design and construction.
• Complete engineering and design calculations in accordance with applicable standards, codes, and company procedures.
• Conduct post-construction reviews to confirm that installations meet design specifications and quality expectations.
• Apply basic engineering principles, theories, and concepts within a narrow technical domain to develop products, solutions, and processes.
• Use CAD tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar design software to produce accurate and compliant design drawings.
• Communicate with peers to explain technical facts, basic analysis, processes, and practices related to distribution design engineering.
• Follow established procedures and policies to solve simple, routine technical problems and contribute to project deliverables.
• Balance economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability constraints when determining infrastructure needs.
• Support power delivery projects for electric utilities and consulting engagements, contributing to large energy and grid infrastructure initiatives.
• Travel within the assigned territory in Michigan to perform fielding activities, including site walks and data collection on unpaved surfaces.

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (such as Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, or related discipline) is preferred, with 0–2 years of prior relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in Engineering.
• Associate’s degree in a technical field will be considered with 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience working directly with an electric utility or an electric utility consulting company performing design engineering.
• Basic knowledge of and ability to apply engineering principles, theories, and concepts within a narrow technical domain.
• Experience using CAD tools for design work, including AutoCAD, MicroStation, or other comparable design programs.
• Ability to solve simple, routine technical problems by following established procedures and policies.
• Valid driver’s license and access to reliable personal transportation for travel within the assigned territory.
• Ability to work comfortably in both field and office settings.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as part of field and office activities.
• Ability to walk up to 2 miles on unpaved surfaces during fielding and site visits.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills for collaborating with peers and explaining technical information.
• Comfort with power delivery concepts and distribution design engineering tasks.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field is strongly preferred.
• Experience with power delivery projects, including voltage considerations, pole analysis, and application of National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements.
• Familiarity with NESC codes and industry standards for electric distribution design.
• Experience supporting electric utilities, power generation owners, industrial clients, or municipal and cooperative utilities.
• Interest in developing toward technical lead responsibilities within one to two years, supported by strong performance and growth.
• Ability and willingness to support programs and projects that may extend to other states as company needs evolve.
• Demonstrated ability to work on day-to-day objectives with limited impact beyond the immediate project team while building toward broader responsibilities.
• Motivation to grow within a premier power industry engineering environment with significant backlog and ongoing new business tied to improved grid infrastructure.

This position offers a hybrid work environment, with approximately 70% of your time spent working from home and about 30% spent performing fielding activities within your assigned territory in Michigan. Field work involves traveling to project sites using your own reliable transportation, walking on unpaved surfaces for up to 2 miles, and occasionally lifting up to 20 pounds while gathering data and verifying conditions. Office and remote work involve using engineering design tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, and other software to develop distribution designs, perform calculations, and prepare documentation. You operate within a professional, future-focused power delivery engineering culture that supports major utilities, municipals, cooperatives, and private developers across the country. The organization emphasizes long-term growth, meaningful energy delivery solutions, and opportunities for upward mobility, including potential advancement into technical lead roles and the possibility of supporting projects in other regions as business needs expand.

This is a Contract position based out of West Branch, MI.

The pay range for this position is $29.00 - $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)

This is a hybrid position in West Branch,MI.

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 24, 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 ziprecruiter.com 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.