Designer

Actalent; Southfield (MI); On-site; USD 65,904,000 - 80,231,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Paid time off

Life Insurance

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Drafter/Make Ready Designer to support electric utility distribution projects from a new Southfield office, combining field data collection with office-based design to develop detailed make-ready work packages for overhead and underground systems.

The role offers flexibility for candidates with prior design experience and provides opportunities to work on technically challenging projects within an engineering consulting environment in Southeast Detroit.

Qualifications

• At least an associate degree in a discipline related to design, engineering, or a closely aligned technical field.
• Experience in a design role, ideally 2–3 years, which may be outside the utility industry but involves technical or 3D design work.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for creating and modifying detailed design drawings.
• Basic knowledge of electric utility systems and distribution concepts.
• Ability to perform engineering-related calculations such as structural analysis for wood pole loading, guying calculations, conductor sag and tension, and voltage drop and flicker.
• Capability to work independently on design packages while adhering to engineering and construction standards.
• Willingness and ability to perform regular field work, including travel of up to approximately 1.5 hours from the office.
• Strong attention to detail in both field data collection and office-based design work.
• Effective communication skills to interpret client requirements and document findings and design decisions clearly.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop detailed design and construction work packages for electrical overhead and underground Make Ready systems for power distribution
• Review project information and scopes provided by the client and accurately assess design and engineering requirements.
• Perform engineering calculations, including structural analysis for wood pole loading, guying calculations, conductor sag and tension specifications for recommended spans, and voltage drop and flicker calculations.
• Provide engineering support during construction, including post-construction reviews to verify that all applicable engineering and construction standards have been met.
• Conduct root cause analysis of outages and develop mitigation strategies using sound engineering principles and design practices.
• Split time approximately 80% in the field and 20% in the office, ensuring accurate data collection and high-quality design output.
• Able to drive to the Southfield, MI location, park your car and get into a company truck to perform any driving required to get to the work site for field data collection.
• Able to work a 8-10 hour work day.
• Perform field work by traveling to assigned poles and lines to observe conditions first-hand, record measurements, and capture photographs for use in office-based design work.
• Coordinate with other utilities and stakeholders to resolve conflicts and meet field engineering design requirements in dense urban environments.
• Assist in assessing and developing large design packages for complex cable and conduit projects, including work permit development, easements, and right-of-way (ROW) applications.
• Utilize AutoCAD and other design software to produce precise drawings and documentation that meet client and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of field observations, measurements, and design decisions to support project documentation and future reference.
• Collaborate with colleagues in a group-oriented environment to share knowledge, review designs, and contribute to continuous improvement of processes and standards.

Skills

AutoCAD

Field data collection

Engineering calculations

Independent design work

Travel to field

Education

Associate degree

Tools

AutoCAD

SolidWorks

Job description

Job Title: DRAFTER (Make Ready Designer) *** Training provided ***

Job Description

The Make Ready Designer will work from a newly established office in Southfield, Michigan, supporting electric utility distribution projects across Southeast Detroit. This role combines field-based data collection with office-based design work to independently develop designs and construction work packages for overhead and underground electrical distribution systems with a Make Ready focus. The position offers significant flexibility for candidates with prior design experience and provides the opportunity to work on meaningful, technically challenging projects within an engineering consulting environment.

Responsibilities

• Independently develop detailed design and construction work packages for electrical overhead and underground Make Ready systems for power distribution
• Review project information and scopes provided by the client and accurately assess design and engineering requirements.
• Perform engineering calculations, including structural analysis for wood pole loading, guying calculations, conductor sag and tension specifications for recommended spans, and voltage drop and flicker calculations.
• Provide engineering support during construction, including post-construction reviews to verify that all applicable engineering and construction standards have been met.
• Conduct root cause analysis of outages and develop mitigation strategies using sound engineering principles and design practices.
• Split time approximately 80% in the field and 20% in the office, ensuring accurate data collection and high-quality design output.
• Able to drive to the Southfield, MI location, park your car and get into a company truck to perform any driving required to get to the work site for field data collection.
• Able to work a 8-10 hour work day.
• Perform field work by traveling to assigned poles and lines to observe conditions first-hand, record measurements, and capture photographs for use in office-based design work.
• Coordinate with other utilities and stakeholders to resolve conflicts and meet field engineering design requirements in dense urban environments.
• Assist in assessing and developing large design packages for complex cable and conduit projects, including work permit development, easements, and right-of-way (ROW) applications.
• Utilize AutoCAD and other design software to produce precise drawings and documentation that meet client and industry standards.
• Maintain accurate records of field observations, measurements, and design decisions to support project documentation and future reference.
• Collaborate with colleagues in a group-oriented environment to share knowledge, review designs, and contribute to continuous improvement of processes and standards.

Essential Skills

• At least an associate degree in a discipline related to design, engineering, or a closely aligned technical field.
• Experience in a design role, ideally 23 years, which may be outside the utility industry but involves technical or 3D design work.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for creating and modifying detailed design drawings.
• Basic knowledge of electric utility systems and distribution concepts.
• Ability to perform engineering-related calculations such as structural analysis for wood pole loading, guying calculations, conductor sag and tension, and voltage drop and flicker.
• Capability to work independently on design packages while adhering to engineering and construction standards.
• Willingness and ability to perform regular field work, including travel of up to approximately 1.5 hours from the office.
• Strong attention to detail in both field data collection and office-based design work.
• Effective communication skills to interpret client requirements and document findings and design decisions clearly.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working directly with an electric utility or an electric utility consulting company performing electric distribution design engineering.
• Experience in distribution design, including experience with overhead and underground systems.
• Familiarity with 3D design tools or similar design software such as SolidWorks or comparable platforms.
• An engineering degree in a relevant field is welcomed, particularly for candidates interested in an engineering track.
• Experience coordinating multiple utilities and managing complex design requirements in dense urban environments.
• Exposure to developing large cable and conduit design packages, including work permits, easements, and right-of-way applications.
• Interest in gaining new skills and certifications through training and professional development opportunities.
• Ability to thrive in a collaborative, entrepreneurial, and agile consulting environment, contributing to innovative solutions for commercial, industrial, government, and community clients.

Work Environment

This role is based in a newly established office located on West Twelve Mile Road in Southfield, Michigan, within an engineering consulting setting. The position is primarily office-based but requires approximately 40% time in the field across Southeast Detroit, visiting poles and lines to gather measurements and photographs. Approximately 60% of the time spent in the Southfield, MI office producing make ready designs on a computer. The work day begins at 7am, drive to the site needed for Fielding is paid for and this will also happen in a company truck. Driving to the needed site will not be done in the employees vehicle.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $28.00/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 fully onsite position in Southfield,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 23, 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 [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.