Entry Level Mechanical Designer

Actalent; Traverse City (MI); Hybrid; USD 34,000 - 45,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Job summary

Actalent is seeking a Distribution Design Engineer I for a hybrid role in Traverse City, MI. You will plan and design electric and gas distribution systems, determine infrastructure needs, and develop work packages under supervision. Proficiency with AutoCAD or MicroStation and knowledge of NESC are assets.

The position offers hybrid work and field exposure within Michigan. The role emphasizes collaboration, preparing design documents, and supporting post-construction reviews while advancing

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical/Mechanical/Civil or related engineering; 0–2 years experience, or a Master’s degree.
• Associate’s Degree in a relevant technical field with 1–3 years of experience.
• Experience with electric utility distribution design.
• Experience using CAD tools (AutoCAD or MicroStation).
• Basic knowledge of power delivery systems and distribution design principles.
• Valid driver’s license for field work.
• Hybrid office/field work in Michigan.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design electric and gas distribution systems for safe, reliable power delivery.
• Determine need, size, location, and timing of distribution infrastructure.
• Develop work packages for overhead and underground distribution systems.
• Perform field engineering to gather requirements and verify site conditions.
• Identify site constraints affecting design and construction.
• Conduct engineering calculations per standards and company procedures.
• Prepare drawings and documents using CAD tools.
• Support post-construction reviews to verify design intent.

Skills

Power delivery basics

Team collaboration

Communication of design decisions

Education

Bachelor of Science in Engineering

Associate degree in technical field

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Job description

Job Title: Distribution Design Engineer I

Job Description

This role focuses on planning, engineering, and designing electric and gas distribution systems to support reliable power delivery. You will help determine the need, size, location, and timing of power delivery infrastructure while balancing economic, environmental, social, and regulatory considerations. Working under supervision on less complex projects, you will contribute to work package development, field engineering, and post-construction reviews within a collaborative engineering team.

Responsibilities

• Plan and design electric and gas distribution systems that support safe, reliable, and efficient power delivery.
• Determine the need, size, location, and timing of power delivery infrastructure based on system requirements and constraints.
• Develop work packages for overhead distribution, underground residential distribution, and underground cable and conduit systems.
• Perform field engineering activities to gather project requirements and verify existing site conditions.
• Identify and document conflicting utilities and other site constraints that may impact design and construction.
• Conduct engineering and design calculations in accordance with applicable standards, codes, and company procedures.
• Apply basic principles, theories, and concepts within your technical specialty to develop practical engineering solutions.
• Use CAD tools such as AutoCAD and MicroStation (or similar design programs) to prepare and update engineering drawings and design documents.
• Follow established procedures and policies to solve simple, routine technical problems and elevate more complex issues as needed.
• Participate in post-construction reviews to confirm that completed work aligns with design intent and to capture lessons learned.
• Communicate with peers to explain design decisions, basic analyses, and standard processes related to power delivery projects.
• Collaborate with project teams to support day-to-day objectives and ensure timely completion of assigned tasks.
• Adhere to relevant codes and standards, including the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), and apply them to distribution design.
• Support projects for electric utilities and utility consulting engagements, contributing to improved grid infrastructure initiatives.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or related engineering discipline) is preferred, with 0–2 years of prior relevant experience, or a Master’s degree in engineering.
• An Associate’s Degree in a relevant technical field will be considered with 1–3 years of relevant experience.
• Relevant experience working directly with an electric utility or an electric utility consulting company performing distribution design engineering.
• Experience using CAD tools for engineering design, such as AutoCAD and MicroStation or comparable design software.
• Basic knowledge of power delivery systems and distribution design engineering principles.
• Ability to apply fundamental engineering theories and concepts within a narrow technical domain.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable personal transportation for field work.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as part of field duties.
• Ability to walk up to 2 miles on unpaved surfaces in various field conditions.
• Comfort working in both office and field environments as part of a hybrid role.
• Ability to communicate clearly with peers regarding design facts, basic analyses, and standard practices.
• Residence in or near the assigned territory in Michigan, including areas such as Jackson, Adrian or nearby locations.

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 Traverse City, 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.

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 Traverse City,MI. Application Deadline This position is anticipated to close on Sep 11, 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.