Distribution Engineer/Designer

Actalent; United States; Remote; USD 41,000 - 55,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Distribution Engineer/Designer to work fully remotely on power distribution designs for a major utility client. You will use DDS to develop designs, complete work orders in Crews, and grow into QC reviews for peers.

The role supports a growing utility energy division with career advancement opportunities. Expected to contribute to design quality, safety via NESC standards, and documentation accuracy while collaborating with internal teams across the Midwest region.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of experience using DDS for power distribution designs.
• Experience in distribution design engineering for power delivery projects.
• Hands-on experience supporting FirstEnergy or its operating companies.
• Ability to perform QC reviews of designs.
• Proficient with Crews (FirstEnergy SAP) or similar systems.
• Strong understanding of NESC.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed power distribution designs that meet utility standards using DDS and other design tools.
• Support distribution design engineering efforts for power delivery projects, including upgrades, relocations, and reconductoring (LTP).
• Prepare and update work orders in Crews (SAP-based system).
• Perform quality control checks on your own designs for accuracy and compliance.
• Progress toward QC reviews on designs produced by other designers.
• Apply NESC and other standards to ensure safe, reliable designs.
• Collaborate with internal utility energy division team members on distribution and reliability initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design and QC processes by identifying issues and sharing best practices.
• Maintain clear records of design activities, work orders, and QC findings.

Skills

DDS design

Power distribution design

QC experience

NESC knowledge

Crews (SAP)

Remote work independence

Documentation accuracy

Tools

Crews (FirstEnergy SAP)

DDS

Job description

Job Title: Distribution Engineer / Designer

Job Description

This fully remote role focuses on power distribution design work for a major utility client, using DDS and related tools to support distribution and reliability projects. You will create and refine distribution designs, complete work orders in utility-specific systems, and progressively take on quality control responsibilities for designs produced by other team members. The position sits within a growing utility energy division, offering strong opportunities for professional development and advancement into lead roles.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed power distribution designs that meet utility standards and project requirements, using DDS and other design tools.
• Support distribution design engineering efforts for power delivery projects, including upgrades, relocations, and reconductoring (LTP).
• Prepare and update work orders in Crews, the utilitys SAP-based system, ensuring accurate and complete documentation.
• Perform quality control checks on your own designs to ensure accuracy, compliance with NESC standards, and alignment with client specifications.
• Progress toward performing quality control reviews on designs produced by other designers, splitting responsibilities between design work and QC as experience grows.
• Apply relevant standards and guidelines, including NESC, to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant distribution design solutions.
• Collaborate with internal utility energy division team members to support ongoing distribution and reliability initiatives.
• Contribute to continuous improvement of design and QC processes by identifying issues, proposing solutions, and sharing best practices.
• Maintain clear, organized records of design activities, work orders, and QC findings for internal and client review.
• Stay informed about utility industry practices and the clients operational requirements to deliver high-quality, consistent work.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3+ years of experience using DDS to perform power distribution designs for FirstEnergy or any FirstEnergy operating company.
• Proven experience in power distribution design and power delivery projects, with a focus on distribution design engineering.
• Hands-on experience supporting FirstEnergy or FirstEnergy opcos such as Ohio Edison, The Illuminating Company, Toledo Edison, Met-Ed, Penelec, Penn Power, West Penn Power, Jersey Central Power & Light, Mon Power, or Potomac Edison.
• Ability to perform or quickly develop capability to perform quality control reviews of distribution designs submitted to the utility client.
• Proficiency using Crews (FirstEnergys version of SAP) or similar utility work management systems to complete and manage work orders.
• Strong understanding of NESC and its application to distribution design work.
• Attention to detail and accuracy in design and documentation, with a focus on delivering quality work to the client.
• Ability to work independently in a remote environment while meeting deadlines and project requirements.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with LTP projects, including upgrades, relocations, and reconductoring of distribution lines.
• Background in utility-related work such as construction services, site development, survey, storm water, transportation, or wastewater is beneficial.
• Interest in long-term career growth within a utility energy division, including opportunities to become a lead designer and primary point of contact for clients.
• Motivation to pursue professional engineering development, including preparation for the FE exam and eventual PE licensure, with organizational support.
• Ability to adapt to a rapidly growing department and contribute to building processes and best practices as the division expands.
• Strong communication skills for collaborating with internal teams and coordinating with utility stakeholders.

Work Environment

This role is 100% remote, allowing you to perform all duties from your preferred location without any field work outside. You will work within a dynamic utility energy division that is experiencing significant growth, driven by large distribution and reliability contracts with major utility companies throughout the Midwest. The division is in an early growth stage, offering the chance to step into a key position and advance as the business expands. You will use DDS for distribution design and Crews, a SAP-based utility system, to manage work orders and project documentation. The broader organization supports work connected to the utility industry, including construction services, site development, survey, storm water, transportation, and wastewater, creating opportunities to broaden your exposure to related disciplines. During the initial period, you receive one week of vacation and six holidays, and upon conversion to direct hire you receive two weeks of vacation, six sick days, and nine holidays, reflecting a supportive environment that values work-life balance and professional growth.

Job Type & Location

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

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $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 jobclassification and length of employment. 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 & visionCritical Illness, Accident, and Hospital401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions availableLife Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)Short and long-term disabilityHealth Spending Account (HSA)Transportation benefitsEmployee Assistance ProgramTime Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 12, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Taylor,MI.

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.

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.