Entry Level Distribution Engineer

Job Title: Distribution Engineer

Job Description

The Distribution Engineer will support power distribution infrastructure upgrades and storm hardening projects across Florida, focusing on both overhead and underground electric distribution systems. This role involves performing engineering calculations and detailed design work to replace deteriorating cable, relocate overhead lines underground, reconductor existing distribution lines, and replace aging poles. The position combines office-based design and analysis with periodic field work to validate conditions, collect data, and ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions that meet utility and regulatory standards.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site visits to distribution facilities and project locations to perform visual inspections, collect equipment inventories, take measurements, prepare sketches, capture photographs, and document field conditions, then compare field data to existing base plans.
• Evaluate the loading of equipment components being installed, including transformers and pole structures, to ensure designs are safe, reliable, and cost-effective while complying with client specifications and standards.
• Review and interpret design manuals, standards, and details from local jurisdictions to ensure all distribution designs meet applicable codes and regulatory requirements.
• Determine and specify detailed design requirements for distribution projects, including equipment selection, conductor sizes, pole configurations, and construction methods.
• Perform electric distribution designs using field notes and utility standards, creating overhead and underground line designs that meet system performance, safety, and reliability objectives.
• Design and draft construction drawings using standard engineering principles and appropriate design tools for review and approval by federal, state, and local agencies.
• Prepare complete project and job packages using appropriate software, including developing material estimates and material requisitions for all components required in the distribution electrical designs.
• Review plans for proposed construction and development projects to assess impacts on existing distribution systems and recommend necessary modifications or relocations.
• Develop engineering solutions to address existing conductor and structural clearance violations and related issues, ensuring compliance with safety and clearance standards.
• Develop final design plan packages that clearly document the implementation of proposed solutions, including drawings, calculations, materials lists, and construction notes.
• Perform engineering calculations associated with distribution projects, including structural analysis of poles and guying, cable pulling calculations, electric demand, fault current analysis, and protective device coordination.
• Ensure all assigned projects and deliverables comply with ISO requirements and internal quality standards.
• Participate in bi-weekly, and more frequent as needed, project team meetings to review progress, coordinate activities, resolve technical issues, and align on project schedules and priorities.
• Travel periodically for out-of-town field work, which may include single overnight stays or full-day driving trips using a company vehicle or personal vehicle with mileage reimbursement, to support site visits and field data collection.
• Communicate frequently and professionally with customers, internal stakeholders, and external partners to clarify requirements, address questions, and provide updates on project status.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering from a four-year ABET-accredited college or university.
• Prior work experience in any field, demonstrating reliability and professional work habits, with engineering-specific experience not strictly required.
• Interest in power, energy, and utilities, with a desire to work on electric distribution systems and related infrastructure.
• Understanding of basic engineering theories and principles relevant to structural, electrical, and distribution system design.
• Ability to research engineering and design issues, evaluate alternatives, make sound technical recommendations, and prepare and present those recommendations clearly.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals from diverse backgrounds and to collaborate in a team-oriented environment.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, including the ability to communicate frequently and professionally with customers.
• Strong interpersonal skills, self-motivation, initiative, and a demonstrated desire to learn and grow professionally.
• Ability to perform electric distribution design using field notes and utility standards, or the aptitude and willingness to learn these skills.
• General construction knowledge and aptitude to understand how designs are implemented in the field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience or basic knowledge of concepts in the electric utility industry, including primary and secondary distribution systems and utility design standards.
• Experience using design software packages related to distribution design, such as Bentley Open Utility Designer (BOUD), Smallworld, Maximo, MicroStation, or similar tools.
• Experience with distribution design on the Duke Energy system or other major utility systems.
• Experience interacting with customers and developers on distribution projects, including discussing requirements, addressing concerns, and coordinating construction impacts.
• Exposure to or experience with power distribution design, including overhead and underground line design, pole loading analysis, and reconductoring projects.
• Familiarity with quality control (QC) processes in engineering design and documentation.
• Experience with pole loading analysis tools and methodologies to assess structural capacity and guying requirements.
• Ability to use AutoCAD or similar drafting software to prepare and revise construction drawings and plan sets.
• EIT certification or having passed the Engineering Fundamentals (FE) exam.
• Excellent customer service skills, with a focus on responsiveness, professionalism, and building long-term relationships.
• Willingness to travel periodically for field work, including occasional overnight stays or full-day driving trips as project needs require.

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 Jun 30, 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.