Distribution Designer (Entry Level)

Actalent; New Orleans (LA); On-site; USD 41,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Disability

HSA

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Time Off (PTO)

Job summary

Actalent in New Orleans, LA, is seeking a Distribution Designers I/II to design and support electric power distribution systems. You will contribute to grid hardening, make-ready work, and distribution projects while building technical expertise.

The role focuses on developing designs, reviewing drawings, and collaborating with engineers from concept to implementation. Office-based with 40 hours/week, offering growth opportunities and comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• 13 years of experience in distribution design or distribution engineering in power delivery.
• Experience in grid hardening, make-ready, or related distribution projects.
• Foundational knowledge of power distribution and power delivery concepts.
• Ability to support electrical design activities for distribution systems.
• Willingness to grow and develop a long-term career in electric distribution engineering.
• 03 years of experience acceptable with strong learning interest (for candidates with a bachelor's in engineering).

Responsibilities

• Develop and update electric power distribution designs for grid hardening and reliability.
• Support make-ready activities to accommodate new or modified loads and equipment.
• Prepare, review, and refine distribution design drawings and docs.
• Collaborate with engineers and project teams from concept to implementation.
• Use Katapult, PoleForeman, and GDT for design and analysis when applicable.
• Apply engineering principles for safe, reliable power distribution solutions.
• Maintain project records and design files for tracking and compliance.
• Demonstrate eagerness to learn and grow in the electric distribution industry.

Skills

Distribution design

Power delivery

Grid hardening

Engineering fundamentals

Career growth mindset

Education

Associate's degree with 1-2 years experience

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

Katapult

PoleForeman

GDT

Job description

Job Title: Distribution Designers I/II

Job Description This role focuses on designing and supporting electric power distribution systems within the power delivery industry. You will contribute to grid hardening, make-ready work, and distribution design projects while developing your technical expertise and advancing your career in electric distribution engineering.

Responsibilities

• Develop and update electric power distribution designs in support of grid hardening and system reliability initiatives.
• Support make-ready engineering activities to ensure distribution infrastructure can accommodate new or modified loads and equipment.
• Prepare, review, and refine distribution design drawings and documentation in alignment with engineering standards and utility requirements.
• Collaborate with engineers and project team members to support power delivery projects from concept through implementation.
• Use distribution engineering software tools, such as Katapult, PoleForeman, and GDT, to perform design, modeling, and analysis tasks when applicable.
• Apply engineering principles to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient power distribution solutions.
• Maintain accurate project records and design files to support project tracking and regulatory or client requirements.
• Demonstrate a strong willingness to learn, adapt, and grow within the electric distribution industry.

Essential Skills

• 13 years of experience in distribution design or distribution engineering within the power delivery industry.
• Experience working in the electric distribution space, including exposure to grid hardening, make-ready, or related distribution projects.
• Foundational knowledge of power distribution and power delivery concepts.
• Ability to support electrical design activities for distribution systems.
• Willingness and motivation to grow and develop a long-term career in electric distribution engineering.
• For candidates with a bachelors degree in engineering, 01 years of relevant experience is acceptable with a strong interest in learning and development.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Associate's degree with 1-2 years of experience or Bachelors degree in an Engineering discipline and 01 years of experience will suffice
• Desire and interest to learn and grow in the power utilities industry.
• Familiarity with distribution engineering tools such as Katapult.
• Experience using PoleForeman for pole loading and distribution design is a plus.
• Exposure to GDT or similar utility-specific software for distribution design and power delivery projects.
• General understanding of engineering principles as they apply to distribution and power delivery systems.

Work Environment

This is an office-based position with a standard schedule of 40 hours per week, Monday through Friday. You will work in a professional environment using distribution engineering and design software tools, collaborating closely with engineers and project staff. The role offers paid time off, holiday benefits, and clear opportunities for growth and development within the power delivery and electric distribution field.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of New Orleans, LA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $33.00/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 Nov 3, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in New Orleans,LA.

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.