Distribution Designer

Distribution Designer

This position will be based in our newly established office in Southfield, where you will play a pivotal role in setting up operations. As one of the first team members, your contributions will be vital in establishing a strong foundation for the office. This role requires a full-time commitment in the office, with potential flexibility in work hours and production down the line. You will engage in fieldwork across Southeast Detroit, spending equal time in the field and office to gather data and produce detailed design drawings.

Responsibilities

• Develop design and construction work packages for electrical overhead and underground distribution systems.
• Independently handle design tasks for electric utility customers.
• Review work provided by clients and assess the requirements of scopes.
• Perform engineering calculations including structural analysis for wood pole loading, guying calculations, conductor sags, and tensions.
• Conduct voltage drop and flicker calculations.
• Provide engineering support during construction and post-construction reviews.
• Conduct root cause analysis of outages and implement mitigation strategies using engineering principles.
• Coordinate conflicting utilities and other field engineering design requirements.
• Assess and develop large design packages for complex cable/conduit projects in urban environments.
• Work on permit development, easements, and right-of-way applications.

Essential Skills

• Experience in distribution design, ideally with 2-3 years in a design role.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD and similar design software.
• Basic knowledge of utility systems.
• An associate degree in a relevant field.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Open to entry-level candidates with strong potential.
• Experience with electric utility or consulting companies in electric distribution design engineering is preferred.
• Possession of an engineering degree is advantageous.

Work Environment

The work environment is collaborative, encouraging teamwork and innovation. You will be involved in diverse and meaningful projects, with opportunities for professional growth through training and skill development. The position involves fieldwork with travel times of up to an hour and a half, rarely requiring overnight stays. Travel time is counted towards work hours, and a company vehicle is available for fieldwork travel.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Southfield, MI.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $23.00 - $28.00/hr.

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 fully onsite position in Southfield, MI.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Apr 7, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands.