Designer

Actalent; Novi (MI); On-site; USD 34,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Civil 3D Designer for natural gas distribution in Novi, MI. The role focuses on design of gas distribution systems, underground utilities, and related infrastructure, with office-based work five days a week and opportunities to grow toward project management.

The ideal candidate has 2+ years in gas distribution or related utilities and strong Civil 3D design skills, plus the ability to prepare plans, specs, calculations, and BOMs for varied project sizes.

Qualifications

• Associates degree in CAD or engineering technology.
• Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related field preferred.
• 2+ years in natural gas distribution or underground utilities design.

Responsibilities

• Plan, evaluate, and execute engineering designs for gas distribution projects.
• Prepare detailed plans, specs, calculations, and documentation.
• Design gas distribution infrastructure including mains and service lines.
• Coordinate permit applications with agencies and clients.
• Build BOMs and deliver complete design packages for construction.

Skills

Civil 3D design

Gas distribution experience

Engineering calculations

Client coordination

Proposal support

Education

Associate degree in CAD/design/engineering tech

Bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering or related

Tools

AutoCAD Civil 3D

GIS software

MS Office

Job description

Job Title: CIVIL 3D Designer Natural Gas Distribution

Job Description

This Project Designer role focuses on the design of natural gas distribution systems and related underground utilities. You will work on a wide range of infrastructure projects, including system improvements, capacity upgrades, and new distribution system installations that serve residential, commercial, and industrial customers. The position is based in the office five days per week and offers a clear path to grow into a Project Manager role while contributing to a collaborative, quality-focused engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Plan, evaluate, and execute engineering designs for new natural gas distribution projects and improvements to existing facilities.
• Prepare detailed engineering plans, drawings, specifications, calculations, and supporting documentation for projects of varying size and complexity.
• Design natural gas distribution infrastructure, including plastic and steel mains, service lines, and associated system components that serve businesses and homes.
• Develop designs for low-, medium-, and high-pressure gas distribution systems, ensuring safety, reliability, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Perform engineering analyses and calculations to support design decisions and validate system performance.
• Create detailed drawings for gas distribution infrastructure and related underground utilities, using Civil 3D and other design tools as needed.
• Build bills of materials (BOMs) and complete finished design packages for client review and construction use.
• Track and document project communications, revisions, and design modifications to maintain accurate and up-to-date design records.
• Maintain organized project records, design files, and documentation for all assigned projects.
• Coordinate permit applications and work directly with local, state, and regulatory agencies throughout the approval process.
• Identify and resolve unique design challenges using sound engineering judgment and practical problem-solving skills.
• Conduct field visits, site assessments, and construction observations as required to support design development and verify field conditions.
• Support project managers with scheduling, coordination, budgeting, and overall project delivery activities.
• Assist with the preparation of technical proposals, scope definitions, and business development materials.
• Participate in client meetings, design reviews, progress meetings, and pre-construction meetings to present and discuss design solutions.
• Build and maintain strong working relationships with clients, stakeholders, and internal team members.
• Contribute to a culture focused on quality, collaboration, and continuous improvement across the engineering team.
• Develop technical and leadership skills with the goal of progressing into a Project Manager role over time.
• Leverage experience with comparable underground systems such as water mains, sewer systems, underground utilities, or fiber optics when applicable to natural gas design.

Essential Skills

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Robust experience using AutoCAD Civil 3D for design and drafting work.
• Approximately two years of experience in natural gas distribution system design or related utility infrastructure projects, or closely comparable underground utility design experience.
• Proficiency with Autodesk Civil 3D for creating detailed plans, profiles, and construction drawings.
• Experience designing or supporting underground utility systems such as natural gas mains, service lines, water mains, sewer systems, or other underground infrastructure.
• Ability to prepare engineering plans, specifications, calculations, and supporting documentation.
• Strong analytical and technical skills with the ability to perform engineering analyses and calculations.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to interact effectively with clients, stakeholders, and internal teams.
• Ability to track and document project communications, revisions, and design modifications accurately.
• Capability to coordinate permitting activities with local, state, and regulatory agencies.
• Willingness and ability to work in the office five days per week.
• Motivation to develop toward a Project Manager role and to take on increasing responsibility over time.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associates degree in CAD, design, drafting, engineering technology, or a related field.
• Bachelors degree in Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, GIS, or a related discipline.
• Experience with natural gas distribution design, including low-, medium-, and high-pressure systems.
• Experience working with underground utilities such as water mains, sewer systems, or fiber optics, especially when using Civil 3D or similar design software.
• Experience in civil site development, land development, or site layout using Civil 3D or comparable tools.
• Experience designing regulator stations for natural gas systems.
• Experience designing compression stations for natural gas systems.
• Experience with horizontal directional drilling (HDD) planning and modeling.
• Familiarity with GIS tools and data for utility and infrastructure projects.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification or active progress toward professional licensure.
• Interest in or experience with system improvements, capacity upgrades, and new infrastructure installations.
• Demonstrated ability to collaborate in a multidisciplinary engineering and architecture environment.
• Interest in sustainable, efficient, and forward-thinking infrastructure design.

Work Environment

This role is based in an office environment and requires being on site in the Lansing, MI office five days per week. You will work within a multidisciplinary engineering and architecture setting that emphasizes collaboration, technical excellence, and integrated project delivery. The team uses Autodesk Civil 3D and related design tools, as well as GIS and other modeling software, to develop detailed infrastructure designs. The work focuses on natural gas distribution and comparable underground utility systems, ranging from infrastructure, industrial, municipal, and commercial projects. Occasional field visits, site assessments, and construction observations may be required, involving travel from the office to project locations. The culture emphasizes precision, reliability, quality, and continuous improvement, with a strong focus on mentoring, professional growth, and developing future project leaders.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $40.00/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)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 27, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Novi,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.