Distribution Design Engineer (Entry Level)

Job Title: Distribution Design Engineer IJob Description

This role focuses on planning, engineering, and designing electric and gas distribution systems that support reliable power delivery. You will help determine the size, location, and timing of power delivery infrastructure to balance economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability requirements. You will work under supervision on less complex projects, solving routine technical problems using established procedures and contributing to work packages for overhead and underground distribution systems. This is an excellent opportunity for an early-career engineer to develop practical design experience in a highly respected power delivery organization with strong growth and advancement potential.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design electric and gas distribution systems that support reliable power delivery to customers.
• Determine the need, size, location, and timing of new or upgraded power delivery infrastructure while balancing economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability considerations.
• Develop work packages for overhead distribution, underground residential distribution, and underground cable and conduit systems.
• Perform field engineering to gather project requirements and document site conditions in assigned territories.
• Identify conflicting utilities and other field constraints that may impact distribution design and construction.
• Conduct engineering and design calculations using established principles, theories, and concepts within the distribution design discipline.
• Use CAD tools such as AutoCAD and MicroStation (or comparable design programs) to produce accurate design drawings and documentation.
• Apply relevant codes and standards, including National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) requirements, to ensure safe and compliant designs.
• Support voltage analysis, pole analysis, and related distribution design evaluations as needed.
• Follow established procedures and policies to solve simple and routine technical problems.
• Collaborate and communicate with peers and project team members to explain design decisions, basic analysis, and project practices.
• Participate in post-construction reviews to verify that completed work aligns with design requirements and to capture lessons learned.
• Maintain accurate project records, design files, and documentation to support project delivery and future reference.
• Travel within the assigned territory to perform field work, including walking on unpaved surfaces and carrying equipment as required.
• Adhere to safety practices and company procedures in both office and field environments.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, or closely related discipline) is preferred, with 0-2 years of prior relevant experience, or a Master's degree in Engineering.
• An Associate's degree in a relevant 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.
• Experience using CAD tools for engineering design, such as AutoCAD and/or MicroStation (other design programs are also acceptable).
• Basic knowledge of power delivery systems and distribution design engineering concepts.
• Ability to apply engineering principles, theories, and concepts within a narrow technical domain to develop design solutions.
• Ability to solve simple, routine technical problems by following established procedures and policies.
• Strong attention to detail in preparing design drawings, calculations, and documentation.
• Effective communication skills to collaborate with peers and explain design facts, basic analyses, and project practices.
• Valid driver's license and access to reliable transportation for field work.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as part of field activities.
• Ability to walk up to 2 miles on unpaved surfaces during field visits.
• Comfort working in both office and field environments.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering is preferred for alignment with power delivery and distribution design work.
• Experience with MicroStation design software and familiarity with other design programs used in utility engineering.
• Knowledge of power delivery concepts, including voltage analysis and pole analysis.
• Familiarity with National Electrical Safety Code (NESC) standards and their application to distribution design.
• Experience developing work packages for overhead and underground distribution projects.
• Prior exposure to utility infrastructure projects, including generation, substations, transmission, or distribution, is beneficial.
• Interest in long-term career growth in power delivery engineering, including the potential to advance into technical lead roles.
• Ability to adapt to different projects and potentially support programs in other regions or states as opportunities arise.
• Candidate should reside in or near the designated service territories in Michigan to support field work efficiently.

Work Environment

This position offers a hybrid work environment, with approximately 70% of your time spent working from home and about 30% spent in the field within your assigned territory in Michigan. Field work involves visiting project sites, walking on unpaved surfaces for up to 2 miles, and carrying equipment weighing up to 20 pounds. You will use modern design tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, and other CAD applications to produce engineering drawings and documentation. The organization operates within a robust power delivery portfolio, supporting projects from generation through substations, transmission, and distribution, and maintains strong relationships with major utilities and construction partners. The work environment emphasizes safety, reliability, and quality, with established procedures and standards guiding daily activities. Company growth creates significant opportunities for professional development, including the potential to move into technical lead roles within one to two years and to support programs in other states as needs arise. Attire in the office or home setting is generally business casual, while field visits require appropriate safety and outdoor clothing consistent with utility site conditions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of Kalamazoo, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $29.00 - $29.00/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 hybrid position in Kalamazoo,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Aug 31, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.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.