Distribution Designer

Distribution Designer

The Distribution Designer works within the Distribution Department and is responsible for engineering, designing, and reviewing overhead and underground electrical distribution lines ranging from 4 kV to 69 kV. This role develops comprehensive work packages for overhead, underground residential distribution (URD), reconductoring, and asset replacement projects, ensuring all designs comply with established engineering, construction, quality, and consistency standards. The position also supports construction activities by providing engineering assistance and collaborating closely with internal teams and external stakeholders throughout the project lifecycle.

Responsibilities

• Design and review overhead and underground distribution lines from 4 kV to 69 kV in accordance with established engineering and construction specifications.
• Develop detailed work packages for overhead, URD, reconductoring, asset replacement, and underground cable/conduit distribution projects.
• Design complex overhead and underground distribution projects in both urban and rural environments, ensuring compliance with engineering standards and construction requirements.
• Perform field engineering of project requirements, including site assessments and identification of project constraints.
• Identify and document conflicting utilities and incorporate appropriate solutions into the design.
• Conduct engineering and design calculations to support safe and reliable distribution line designs.
• Program and specify protective line equipment as part of the overall distribution system design.
• Coordinate small design teams as needed to develop project budgets, prepare scoping documents, establish design criteria, and produce project deliverables.
• Provide engineering assistance during construction, including responding to technical questions and clarifying design intent.
• Attend construction meetings, participate in coordination efforts, and support community outreach activities as required.
• Identify when project objectives are not being met and initiate corrective actions to bring projects back on track.
• Interpret applicable codes and regulations and help develop standards for distribution construction projects.
• Promote engineering professionalism and adherence to technical standards within the team.
• Develop, recommend, and implement plans that define goals, objectives, schedules, resource needs, and information requirements for complex engineering projects.

Essential Skills

• Ability to design and review overhead and underground electrical distribution lines from 4 kV to 69 kV.
• Proficiency or strong aptitude in utility distribution design, including overhead, URD, reconductoring, and asset replacement projects.
• Understanding of joint use and make-ready design concepts for shared utility infrastructure.
• Ability to perform pole loading analysis and telecom attachment design using relevant tools.
• Familiarity with engineering and design calculations related to distribution line design and protective equipment programming.
• Capability to identify conflicting utilities and incorporate conflict resolution into design work.
• Experience or strong aptitude with design software and tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS systems, and pole loading applications (e.g., SPIDACalc, DDS).
• Ability to interpret and apply engineering standards, construction specifications, codes, and regulations.
• Strong organizational skills to develop scoping documents, design criteria, and complete project deliverables.
• Effective communication skills to support construction teams, participate in meetings, and engage with stakeholders.
• High School Diploma or GED.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate degree in drafting, engineering technology, construction management, or a related technical field is preferred.
• Technical training, certifications, or coursework related to utility design, telecommunications, CAD, or electric utility infrastructure are beneficial.
• Prior experience in utility, telecommunications, CAD, drafting, construction, or related technical fields is preferred but not required.
• Exposure to utility design and telecommunications infrastructure projects.
• Familiarity with joint use and make-ready concepts for pole attachments.
• Experience with GIS systems and design platforms such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar tools.
• Ability to coordinate small design teams and contribute to budgeting and planning activities.
• Commitment to engineering professionalism, quality, and adherence to standards.

Work Environment

The Distribution Designer works in a professional engineering and design environment that combines office-based design work with occasional field and construction site visits. The role uses modern design and analysis tools, including AutoCAD, MicroStation, GIS platforms, and specialized pole loading and utility design software such as SPIDACalc and DDS. Work typically involves collaborating with engineers, designers, construction personnel, and other stakeholders to deliver complete and accurate work packages. The environment emphasizes safety, quality, and adherence to engineering standards, with opportunities to participate in construction meetings, coordination sessions, and community outreach. Dress expectations align with a professional office setting, with appropriate attire and safety gear required when visiting field or construction locations.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of New Albany, OH.

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 remote position.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 16, 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.