Entry-Level Design Engineer

Actalent; United States; Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 74,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) Retirement Plan

Life Insurance

Short and long-term disability

Health Spending Account

Transportation benefits

Employee Assistance Program

Paid time off

Job summary

Actalent in Naperville, IL is seeking an entry-level Design Engineer to join a hybrid team that designs and supports natural gas distribution projects. You will gain hands-on experience from concept through construction while working with experienced engineers on critical infrastructure.

Ideal candidates have a civil or mechanical engineering degree (ABET-accredited), internship or up to 2 years of experience, and proficiency with AutoCAD.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Civil or Mechanical Engineering (ABET-accredited).
• Internship or up to 2 years of engineering experience.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD.
• Strong communication and teamwork skills.
• Demonstrated leadership through projects or activities.

Responsibilities

• Design and route natural gas distribution mains and related infrastructure.
• Develop engineering drawings using AutoCAD and GIS.
• Assist with material specifications, testing, and calculations.
• Coordinate with stakeholders across engineering, operations, construction and other project teams.
• Perform quality control reviews of drawings and data integrity.
• Manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines and milestones.
• Occasional field visits and site inspections to support project execution.

Skills

Communication

Leadership

Teamwork

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Civil/Mechanical Engineering

ABET-accredited university

Tools

AutoCAD

Job description

Entry-Level Design Engineer

Naperville, IL (Hybrid)

Launch Your Engineering Career with a Leading Utility Company

Are you a recent engineering graduate ready to put your education into practice? Join a team that designs and supports critical natural gas infrastructure projects that serve communities across Illinois. This is an outstanding opportunity to gain hands‑on engineering experience, work alongside experienced professionals, and build a long‑term career with a stable, industry‑leading organization.

What You'll Do

As a Design Engineer, you'll be involved in the planning, design, and execution of natural gas distribution projects from concept through construction.

Responsibilities include:

• Design and route natural gas distribution mains and related infrastructure
• Develop engineering drawings using AutoCAD and GIS software
• Assist with material specifications, testing, and engineering calculations
• Coordinate with engineering, operations, construction, and other project stakeholders
• Perform quality control reviews to ensure drawing accuracy and database integrity
• Manage multiple projects while meeting deadlines and project milestones
• Participate in occasional field visits and site inspections to support project execution

What We're Looking For

• Bachelor's Degree in Civil Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline
• Degree from an ABET-accredited university
• Internship experience or up to 2 years of engineering experience
• Proficiency with AutoCAD
• Strong communication, collaboration, and problem‑solving skills
• Demonstrated leadership through internships, student organizations, athletics, volunteer work, senior design projects, or other extracurricular involvement

Why This Opportunity Stands Out

Stability & Long-Term Growth

Build your career in a recession‑resistant industry that provides essential services to millions of customers.

Hybrid Flexibility

Enjoy a balance of in‑office collaboration and remote work.

Career Development

Gain experience that can open doors to future opportunities in:

• System Planning
• Construction Management
• Project Management
• Energy Efficiency
• Operations
• Engineering Leadership

Work-Life Balance

Join a team that values professional success while supporting personal well‑being.

Inclusive & Supportive Culture

Be part of an organization committed to diversity, inclusion, and creating opportunities for employees to thrive.

Mentorship & Real‑World Impact

Work alongside experienced engineers and contribute to infrastructure projects that make a meaningful impact in local communities.

Ideal Candidate

You're someone who:

• Wants to kick‑start a successful engineering career
• Enjoys solving technical challenges
• Thrives in a collaborative environment
• Is eager to learn and grow professionally
• Wants to work on projects that have a direct impact on the communities they serve

Location: Naperville, IL (Hybrid)

Experience Level: Entry‑Level (Internship experience welcomed)

Job Type & Location

This is a Permanent position based out of Naperville, IL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $31.25/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 hybrid position in Naperville,IL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 29, 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.