Design Technician

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 71,635,000 - 100,289,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability Insurance

Health Spending Account

Job summary

Actalent in Cincinnati, OH is recruiting a Make Ready Design Technician for a hybrid role supporting field telecommunications and electrical distribution projects. You will collaborate with engineering and planning software (DDS, Katapult, IKE GPS, O-Calc) and use field documentation tools.

The position requires 3+ years in similar work, knowledge of NESC standards, and experience with pole collection software.

Qualifications

• Associate or Bachelor's Degree in relevant engineering preferred (High School Diploma required)
• 3+ years of experience in similar work is required
• 3+ years of engineering administrative experience OR 5+ years of field engineering experience is required
• 3+ years of experience with DDS, Katapult, IKE GPS, O-Calc, Spida-Calc, or similar programs
• 3+ years of outside plant or joint use permitting experience
• Knowledge of NESC standards for cable attachments, spacing and midspans regulations, and utility pole owner regulations

Responsibilities

• Coordinate and design joint use pole attachments and make ready recommendations
• Coordinate with Engineering Team Members regarding aerial processes for accuracy and delivery
• Determine scope of pole installs including NESC standards
• Gather information from field collection to identify pole owners and complete applications
• Perform field inspections and site walks
• Identify existing pole conditions including electrical equipment and third-party attachers
• Work within pole collection software (DDS, Katapult, IKE GPS, O-Calc, Spida-Calc)
• Review poles and notes to determine make ready solution
• Perform structural loading calculations using O-Calc per NESC and owner protocols
• Provide solutions for poles failing loading or unsuitable for new attachments
• Create make ready summaries for pole owner requirements

Skills

Pole attachments design

NESC standards knowledge

Engineering administration

DDS

Katapult

IKE GPS

O-Calc

Spida-Calc

Outside plant permitting

Education

Associate or Bachelor degree in engineering

Tools

DDS

Katapult

IKE GPS

O-Calc

Spida-Calc

Job description

Job Title: Make Ready Design Technician

Job Description

• Coordinate and design joint use pole attachments and make ready recommendations.
• Coordinate with Engineering Team Members regarding overall aerial processes ensuring accuracy, completeness, and delivery of all work.
• Determine appropriate scope of pole installs including NESC standards for cable attachments, spacing and midspans regulations, and utility pole owner regulations.
• Gather information from field collection process to identify pole owners and complete the necessary application process.
• Perform various field inspections and site walks (if local).
• Identify existing pole conditions including electrical equipment, pole configurations, and third-party attachers.
• Work within pole collection software such as DDS, Katapult, IKE, SPIDAcalc, Ocalc, and other similar applications.
• Review utility poles and field notes to determine the most accurate make ready solution.
• Perform structural loading calculations using O-Calc in accordance with NESC and pole owner protocols.
• Provide solutions for poles that fail loading or are not good candidates for new attachments.
• Create make ready summaries for various pole owner requirements.

Skills & Qualifications:

• Associate or Bachelor's Degree in relevant engineering practice is preferred (High School Diploma is required)
• 3 or more years of experience with similar work is required
• 3 or more years of engineering administrative experience OR 5 or more years of field engineering experience is required
• 3 or more years of experience of DDS, Katapult, IKE GPS, O-Calc, Spida-Calc, or other similar programs is required
• 3 or more years of experience of outside plant or joint use permitting experience is required
• Knowledge of NESC standards for cable attachments, spacing and midspans regulations, and utility pole owner regulations is required

Work Environment

This is a hybrid role that supports field-based telecommunications and electrical distribution projects. You will work with engineering and planning software, including tools such as DDS, Katapult, IKE GPS, O-Calc, and similar platforms, as well as measuring equipment and SLR cameras for field documentation. The position supports a growing organization engaged in significant government-backed work, offering opportunities to contribute to new teams and expanding infrastructure initiatives. Work may involve coordination with projects in areas such as Columbus, Cleveland, or Cincinnati, with a strong focus on data quality, safety, and adherence to industry standards.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Cincinnati, OH.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $35.00/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.

Benefits are subject to change and may besubject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefitsavailable 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 Cincinnati,OH.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance our 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 withoutregard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability,sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protectedby law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification oradjustment 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 thecity and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicantswith arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector:

It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as acondition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this lawshall 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 applicationsand qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, youacknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.