Design Engineer

ACTalent; Big Rapids (MI); Hybrid; USD 33,000 - 47,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking an entry-level Distribution Design Engineer I to plan, engineer, and design electric distribution systems that support safe and reliable power delivery. You will determine needs, sizes, locations, and timing for infrastructure while balancing regulatory and reliability constraints.

You will develop work packages for overhead and underground distribution, perform field verification, and use AutoCAD or MicroStation to create drawings.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering or related field with emphasis on power distribution preferred.
• Associate degree with 13 years of relevant experience considered.
• Experience with electric utility design projects.
• Experience using CAD tools for engineering design (AutoCAD, MicroStation).
• Foundational knowledge in power distribution and power delivery.
• Ability to apply engineering concepts in a focused domain.
• Comfort with field and office/remote work environments.
• Residence within 40 minutes of Big Rapids, MI.

Responsibilities

• Plan, engineer, and design electric distribution systems for reliable power delivery to residential and commercial customers.
• Determine need, size, location, and timing of distribution infrastructure while considering economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability constraints.
• Develop work packages for overhead and underground distribution systems.
• Perform field engineering to gather requirements and verify conditions.
• Conduct engineering calculations using established procedures and codes.
• Use CAD tools to create and update distribution drawings and documentation.
• Assist with design tasks involving voltage, transformers, and distribution equipment.

Skills

Electrical engineering principles

Field work

CAD tools usage

Design documentation

Team collaboration

Remote/field mix

Residency within 40 min of Big Rapids

Education

B.S. in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, Design preferred)

Associate degree + 13 years of relevant experience

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Job description

Job Title: Distribution Design Engineer I **** Training provided ****

Job Description

This entry-level Power Distribution Design Engineer I role focuses on planning, engineering, and designing electric distribution systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient power delivery. You will help determine the need, size, location, and timing of power delivery infrastructure while balancing economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability requirements.

Responsibilities

• Plan, engineer, and design electric distribution systems that support reliable power delivery to residential and commercial customers.

• Determine the need, size, location, and timing of power delivery infrastructure developments while considering economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability constraints.

• Develop work packages for overhead distribution, underground residential distribution, and underground cable and conduit systems.

• Perform field engineering to gather project requirements, verify existing conditions, and identify conflicting utilities or site constraints.

• Conduct engineering and design calculations using established procedures, standards, and applicable codes.

• Use CAD and other design tools, such as AutoCAD and MicroStation or equivalent programs, to create and update distribution design drawings and documentation.

• Assist with power distribution and power delivery design tasks involving voltage, transformers, and related distribution equipment.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental, Design preferred)

• Associates degree in a related technical field with 13 years of relevant experience will be considered.

• 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 MicroStation or similar design software.

• Foundational knowledge of electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering principles as they relate to power distribution and power delivery.

• Ability to apply basic engineering theories, concepts, and principles within a narrow technical domain to develop design solutions.

• Comfort working in both field and office (or remote) settings, including performing site visits and field inspections.

• Must live within a 40 min radius of Big Rapids, MI

Work Environment

This role combines remote and field-based work, with approximately 70% of the time spent working from home and about 30% spent performing field activities within an assigned territory in Michigan. You will work with modern engineering and design tools, including CAD software such as AutoCAD and MicroStation or similar platforms, to develop power delivery designs and documentation. Field work involves visiting utility sites, walking on unpaved surfaces for up to 2 miles, and lifting up to 20 pounds while collecting data and verifying existing conditions.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Big Rapids, 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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Big Rapids, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 19, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Big Rapids,MI.

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 [e-mail] 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.