Distribution Design Engineering I

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

Disability (short & long-term)

Health Spending Account (HSA)

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off/Leave (PTO)

Job summary

Actalent is recruiting an entry-level Distribution Design Engineer I in Big Rapids, MI. The role focuses on planning, engineering, and designing electric distribution systems to deliver reliable power to residential and commercial customers.

Training provided; hybrid work model (70% remote, 30% field) in Michigan. You will work under guidance of experienced engineers, contribute to design packages, and support post-construction reviews to meet project goals.

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, Environmental preferred).
• Associate’s degree in a related technical field with 1–3 years of relevant experience will be considered.
• Experience with CAD tools for engineering design (AutoCAD, MicroStation).
• Familiarity with NESC codes and distribution design concepts.

Responsibilities

• Plan, engineer, and design electric distribution systems for residential and commercial customers.
• Determine size, location, and timing of distribution infrastructure under constraints.
• Develop work packages for overhead and underground distribution.
• Perform field engineering to gather requirements and verify conditions.
• Use CAD tools to create distribution drawings and documentation.
• Support post-construction reviews to ensure design requirements are met.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external clients to resolve design issues.
• Follow established engineering procedures and NESC codes where applicable.
• Assist with distribution design tasks involving voltage and transformers.
• Communicate clearly with peers and clients about analyses and design processes.

Skills

Electrical basics

Field work

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Willingness to learn

Education

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

Associate’s degree in a related technical field with 1–3 years of 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. Working under the guidance of experienced engineers, you will contribute to work packages for overhead and underground residential distribution, perform field engineering, support design calculations, and participate in post-construction reviews. This position offers strong growth potential within a large, established power engineering organization with significant project backlog and opportunities for advancement.

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.

• Support post-construction reviews to confirm that designs meet project requirements and to identify opportunities for improvement.

• Collaborate with internal project teams and external utility clients to clarify requirements, resolve design issues, and ensure alignment with project goals.

• Follow established engineering procedures, policies, and standards, including relevant codes such as the National Electric Safety Code (NESC) where applicable.

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

• Communicate clearly with peers, team members, and client representatives to explain technical facts, basic analyses, and design processes.

• Perform simple, routine technical problem-solving within a defined scope, escalating more complex issues to experienced engineers as needed.

• Support administrative tasks and customer follow-up activities related to design packages, field inspections, and project documentation.

• Participate in a mix of field inspections and office or remote design work, ensuring that project schedules and quality expectations are met.

• Demonstrate professional communication, dress, and demeanor in all client-facing and team interactions.

Essential Skills

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

• Associate’s degree in a related technical field with 1–3 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.

• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and walk up to 2 miles on unpaved surfaces during fieldwork.

• Reliable personal transportation suitable for traveling to field locations and client sites.

• Valid driver’s license.

• Strong verbal and written communication skills suitable for client-facing interactions.

• Ability to work effectively in teams and collaborate with individuals from diverse backgrounds and locations.

• Positive attitude and willingness to learn under the supervision of more experienced engineers.

• Must live within a 40 min radius of West Branch, MI

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or a closely related field.

• Interest or experience in power delivery, including generation, substation, transmission, and distribution projects.

• Familiarity with MicroStation design tools or other comparable design programs.

• Understanding of voltage considerations, pole analysis, and NESC codes as they relate to distribution design.

• Exposure to or interest in working with large investor-owned utilities, municipal utilities, cooperatives, and private developers.

• Desire for professional growth with opportunities to progress into technical lead roles over time.

• Strong attention to detail and a commitment to quality in engineering design and documentation.

• Ability to work effectively under supervision while gradually taking on more responsibility as experience grows.

Work Environment

This position offers a hybrid work arrangement, with approximately 70% of your time spent working from home and about 30% spent in the field within your assigned territory in Michigan.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract 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.

• 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 Big Rapids,MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 18, 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.