Designer

Job Title: Distribution Designer (Electric Utility)

Are you passionate about designing infrastructure that truly matters? Join our team as a Distribution Designer and play a hands‑on role in delivering safe, reliable, and cost‑effective electric power systems that serve communities every day. This role offers a strong balance of office‑based design and field exposure, along with clear growth opportunities within the utility power industry.

Working alongside experienced engineers, project managers, and experienced designers, you'll support electric utility distribution projects from early concept through final design and construction. It's an excellent opportunity for a designer who enjoys problem‑solving, collaborating across teams, and seeing their work built in the field.

What You'll Do

Design & Engineering Support

• Support overhead and underground electric distribution projects from initial concept through issued‑for‑construction design.
• Design primary, secondary, and service distribution systems for new installations, upgrades, and reliability improvements.
• Lay out overhead and underground systems, including reconductoring, pole replacements, and underground duct banks.
• Identify and resolve potential utility conflicts to ensure constructible, cost‑effective designs.

Field & Data Collection

• Perform field surveys to collect accurate measurements, sketches, notes, and photos.
• Translate real‑world field conditions into practical, buildable designs.

Technical Design & Documentation

• Prepare detailed construction drawings and layouts using AutoCAD in accordance with utility and client standards.
• Use industry tools such as AUD and SpidaCalc to evaluate clearances, loading, and pole class requirements.
• Develop detailed bills of materials, including material quantities, labor units, and construction requirements.

Coordination & Compliance

• Coordinate with right‑of‑way teams, municipalities, and permitting agencies to support project approvals.
• Ensure all designs meet applicable utility standards, safety requirements, and regulatory guidelines.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, project managers, field staff, and lead designers to resolve technical issues and refine designs.

What You Bring

Required Experience & Skills

• 1-4 years of experience in electric utility distribution design.
• Experience designing overhead and/or underground electric distribution systems.
• Proficiency with AUD.
• Hands‑on experience with primary, secondary, and service lines.
• Field survey experience and familiarity with real‑world utility environments.
• Ability to prepare accurate bills of materials and construction documentation.
• Working knowledge of permitting, right‑of‑way coordination, and utility clearances.
• Valid driver's license with a clean driving record.

Preferred Qualifications

• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Experience working with Mid‑Atlantic utility clients and standards.
• Familiarity with SpidaCalc and GIS applications for utility design and mapping.
• Experience supporting multidisciplinary design teams.
• Interest in long‑term career growth into lead design, engineering, or project management roles.

Why This Role Stands Out

• Meaningful Work: Design infrastructure critical to grid reliability and community safety.
• Career Growth: Clear development path with mentorship from lead designers and engineers.
• Variety: A mix of office design and field work-no two projects are the same.
• Collaboration: Work closely with cross‑functional teams from concept to construction.
• Stability: Long‑term utility projects that provide consistent and impactful work.

Work Environment

This role offers a blend of remote and potential field work.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Ashland, VA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $31.25 - $40.87/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 hybrid position in Ashland,VA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 2, 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.