Design Engineer

Job Title: Design Engineer Power Delivery Job Description
The Design Engineer plans, engineers, and designs electric and gas distribution systems that support reliable power delivery. This role determines the size, location, and timing of power infrastructure development while balancing economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability considerations. You will work on day-to-day project objectives, contribute to work package development for overhead and underground distribution systems, and support field engineering activities under the guidance of more senior engineers.
Responsibilities
- Plan and design electric and gas distribution systems to support safe, reliable, and efficient power delivery.
- Determine the size, location, and timing of power delivery infrastructure in alignment with economic, environmental, social, and regulatory constraints, as well as reliability needs.
- Develop work packages for overhead distribution, underground residential distribution, and underground cable and conduit projects.
- Perform field engineering to gather project requirements and verify existing site conditions.
- Identify and document conflicting utilities and other field constraints that may affect design and construction.
- Perform engineering and design calculations using established principles, theories, and concepts within the relevant technical specialty.
- Use CAD and design tools such as AutoCAD and MicroStation (or comparable design software) to produce accurate engineering drawings and documentation.
- Follow established procedures and policies to solve routine technical problems and support less complex projects and assignments.
- Collaborate and communicate with peers to explain facts, basic analyses, and design practices related to power delivery projects.
- Participate in post-construction reviews to verify that installations match design intent and to capture lessons learned for continuous improvement.
- Support multiple utility-related projects, contributing to power delivery solutions across generation, substations, transmission, and distribution as needed.
- Maintain accurate project records, drawings, and documentation in accordance with internal standards and client requirements.
Essential Skills
- Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering (electrical, mechanical, civil, environmental, or related engineering discipline) or equivalent experience, typically with 02 years of prior relevant experience; a masters degree may also be considered.
- Associates degree in a technical field with 13 years of relevant experience may be considered in lieu of a bachelors degree.
- Relevant experience working directly with an electric utility or an electric utility consulting company performing design engineering for power delivery projects.
- Basic knowledge of engineering principles, theories, and concepts within a narrow technical domain related to power delivery.
- Experience using CAD tools for engineering design and documentation.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD for creating and modifying engineering drawings.
- Ability to work with MicroStation or other comparable design programs for power delivery design.
- Understanding of power delivery concepts and standards, including distribution design practices.
- Valid drivers license and reliable personal transportation for travel to field sites.
- Ability to lift up to 20 pounds as part of field activities.
- Ability to walk up to 2 miles on unpaved surfaces during site visits.
- Comfort working in both office and field environments.
- Ability to communicate clearly with peers regarding design facts, basic analyses, and standard processes.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or Civil Engineering is preferred.
- Experience with power delivery projects for utilities, including overhead and underground distribution systems, is highly beneficial.
- Familiarity with industry standards and codes applicable to power distribution (such as voltage considerations and NESC-related practices).
- Experience supporting projects for electric utilities, power generation owners, or industrial clients.
- Ability to apply established engineering methods to develop practical products, solutions, and processes within the power delivery domain.
- Interest in professional growth with potential to advance into technical lead roles as experience increases.
- Willingness to support work across various parts of the utility industry, including generation, substations, transmission, and distribution.
- Openness to future opportunities to support programs in other regions or states as the organization continues to grow.
Work Environment
This role combines remote and field-based work, with approximately 70% of the time spent working from home and about 30% spent performing field activities within an assigned territory in Michigan. You will work with modern engineering and design tools, including CAD software such as AutoCAD and MicroStation or similar platforms, to develop power delivery designs and documentation. Field work involves visiting utility sites, walking on unpaved surfaces for up to 2 miles, and lifting up to 20 pounds while collecting data and verifying existing conditions. The organization operates within a dynamic power delivery environment, supporting a large portfolio of utility projects and long-term grid infrastructure improvements. The culture emphasizes growth, with significant opportunities for upward mobility and the potential to move into technical lead roles within a relatively short time frame. As part of a nationally recognized power delivery engineering team, you will collaborate with utilities, construction partners, and other stakeholders on impactful energy delivery solutions in a professional, safety-focused setting.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Walled Lake, 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 Walled Lake,MI.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Oct 22, 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 [email protected] 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.