Entry-Level Designer Engineer

Job Title: Distribution Designer

Job Description

The Distribution Designer will work within a Power Distribution Engineering team as part of a growing Power Sector, contributing to the detailed design of power distribution projects. This role focuses on preparing complex design and construction documents, supporting engineering calculations, and coordinating project deliverables to ensure safe, reliable, and efficient power distribution systems.

Responsibilities

• Perform detailed design work for power distribution projects, including the preparation of drawings, specifications, and cost estimates for review and approval by the responsible engineer.
• Prepare manual or computer-assisted design and construction drawings of a complex nature with high accuracy, neatness, and minimal errors.
• Provide limited direction to Designers and Technicians on assigned projects and act as a design leader on projects of minor complexity when required.
• Apply thorough knowledge of practices and procedures in one or more technical areas such as electrical engineering, instrumentation and control, protective relaying, transmission design, substation design, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, distribution engineering, surveying, GIS and mapping, and CADD.
• Perform design services requiring a full understanding of drawings, specifications, and applicable industry and company standards for the assigned work.
• Take a significant role in preparing cost estimates, technical specifications, evaluations, and material or equipment requisitions for power distribution projects.
• Assist in the preparation of engineering calculations to support design decisions and ensure technical accuracy.
• Coordinate equipment deliveries and design development activities to meet established project schedules and milestones.
• Acquire on-site field data to support design work and to monitor and evaluate equipment performance in the field.
• Serve as a Project Coordinator on certain projects, supporting project planning, communication, and documentation.
• Handle contacts with clients and external agencies in connection with project design responsibilities in a professional and responsive manner.
• Follow prescribed standards and procedures to ensure consistency, safety, and quality in all design work.
• Demonstrate leadership and technical capability in carrying out assigned responsibilities and supporting project teams.
• Perform other design-related duties as assigned to support the successful delivery of power distribution projects.

Essential Skills

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology from an accredited college or university, or equivalent education and work experience deemed acceptable for this position.
• Strong technical knowledge in at least one of the following areas: electrical engineering, instrumentation and control, protective relaying, transmission design, substation design, civil engineering, mechanical engineering, distribution engineering, surveying, GIS and mapping, or CADD.
• Demonstrated ability and experience with GIS systems, preferably Smallworld or GWD.
• Proficiency with CADD systems, particularly AutoCAD, for preparing complex design and construction drawings.
• Ability to interpret and apply drawings, specifications, industry standards, and company standards to design work.
• Ability to coordinate with clients and other agencies regarding project design responsibilities in a clear and professional manner.
• Clear and valid drivers license and eligibility to drive on company time using personal or company vehicles, with a minimum age requirement of 21 for driving on company time.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience preparing cost estimates, specifications, evaluations, and requisitions for engineering projects.
• Experience assisting with engineering calculations and supporting responsible engineers on technical tasks.
• Familiarity with project coordination responsibilities, including scheduling, documentation, and communication.
• Comfort working with on-site field data collection to support design and equipment performance evaluation.
• Strong attention to detail, ensuring design documents are accurate, neat, and aligned with project standards.
• Effective communication skills for collaborating with project teams, clients, and external agencies.
• Ability to work with minimal supervision while managing multiple design-related tasks.

Work Environment

The Distribution Designer works in a professional engineering environment that combines office-based design activities with occasional field work. In the office, the role involves extensive use of GIS systems such as Smallworld or GWD and CADD tools like AutoCAD to produce detailed design and construction drawings. The position requires collaboration with engineers, designers, technicians, clients, and external agencies, often coordinating equipment deliveries and design milestones to meet project schedules. Field visits are conducted to collect on-site data and observe equipment performance, supporting accurate and practical design solutions. The work environment emphasizes adherence to established standards and procedures, technical precision, and reliable project delivery, with a focus on safety and quality in power distribution engineering.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Charlotte, NC.

The pay range for this position is $22.00 - $23.00/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)

This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 12, 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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.

Salary : $22 - $23