Distribution Engineer

Job Title: Distribution Engineer

Job Description

This Distribution Engineer role supports power distribution infrastructure upgrades and storm hardening projects across Florida, focusing on the engineering analysis and design of overhead and underground distribution systems. You will contribute to replacing deteriorating cable, relocating overhead lines underground, reconductoring existing distribution lines, and replacing aging poles, while ensuring safe, reliable, and cost-effective designs aligned with utility standards. The position combines office-based engineering and design work with periodic field visits, offering the opportunity to work on impactful projects for major utilities and to grow within a collaborative, employee-focused engineering environment.

Responsibilities

• Conduct site visits and collect detailed field notes, including visual inspections, equipment inventories, measurements, sketches, photographs, and documentation of field conditions.
• Compare field data to base plans to verify existing conditions and identify discrepancies that affect design decisions.
• Evaluate electrical and structural loading of equipment components such as transformers and poles to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective designs that comply with client specifications.
• Review and interpret design manuals, standards, and details from local jurisdictions to ensure compliance with regulatory and permitting requirements.
• Determine and specify design requirements for distribution projects based on field data, utility standards, and project objectives.
• Perform electric distribution designs using field notes and established utility standards for both overhead and underground systems.
• Design and draft construction drawings using standard engineering fundamentals for review and approval by federal, state, and local agencies.
• Prepare project job packages using appropriate software, including material estimates, material requisitions, and documentation of all materials required for distribution electrical designs.
• Review plans for proposed construction to determine impacts on existing distribution systems and identify necessary modifications or upgrades.
• Develop solutions to existing conductor and structural clearance violations and related issues to ensure system safety and compliance.
• Create final design plan packages that clearly document the proposed solutions and support implementation by construction and operations teams.
• Ensure that projects fulfill ISO compliance requirements and adhere to internal quality control procedures.
• Participate in bi-weekly, and more frequent as needed, project team meetings to discuss progress, resolve design issues, and coordinate with stakeholders.
• Perform periodic out-of-town field work, including site visits, visual inspections, measurements, photographs, and preparation of field reports, which may involve overnight stays or full days of driving.
• Utilize design and utility software tools such as BOUD, Bentley Open Utility Designer, Smallworld, AutoCAD, and related applications to complete distribution designs and quality checks.
• Collaborate frequently with customers, developers, and internal teams to clarify requirements, address concerns, and ensure a high level of customer service throughout the project lifecycle.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor of Science degree in Engineering from a four-year ABET-accredited college or university.
• Prior work experience, with distribution design experience preferred.
• Basic knowledge of concepts in the electric utility industry, including primary and secondary distribution systems and utility standards.
• Ability to use design software packages related to power distribution and general construction knowledge and aptitude.
• Understanding of basic engineering theories and principles and the ability to apply them to practical distribution design problems.
• Understanding of basic practices for researching engineering and design issues, evaluating alternatives, making sound recommendations, and preparing and presenting those recommendations.
• Ability to work effectively with a variety of individuals from diverse socio-economic, cultural, and ethnic backgrounds.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, with the ability to communicate frequently and clearly with customers.
• Strong interpersonal skills, with demonstrated self-motivation, initiative, and a desire to learn and grow professionally.
• Experience or familiarity with distribution design, power distribution, and related engineering tasks.
• Ability to perform structural analysis of poles, guying calculations, cable pulling calculations, electric demand analysis, fault current calculations, and protective device coordination as part of project work.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Between 6 months and 3 years of power distribution design experience is desired.
• Experience in distribution design within the electric utility industry is preferred.
• Experience working on the Duke Energy system performing distribution design is a plus.
• Experience interacting with customers and developers on distribution projects is preferred.
• Current knowledge of BOUD, Maximo, Smallworld, and MicroStation is highly beneficial.
• Proficiency or experience with Bentley Open Utility Designer, AutoCAD, and other distribution design and quality control tools.
• EIT certification or having passed the Engineering Fundamentals Exam is preferred.
• Excellent customer service skills and experience in customer-facing engineering roles are desirable.

Work Environment

You will work primarily in a Class A office environment equipped with state-of-the-art technology and modern tools to support advanced overhead and underground line design and grid modernization projects. The culture emphasizes employee ownership, empowerment, and meaningful impact, with opportunities to contribute to transformative power infrastructure, including renewable energy integration and data center projects. The organization promotes professional growth through mentoring, eLearning, instructor-led training, and collaboration with industry leaders. Employees benefit from a collaborative and inclusive atmosphere supported by dedicated employee network groups, such as Youthful Professionals, Women, and Veterans, ensuring that all team members feel valued and respected. The company offers flexible work arrangements, including remote work options, and comprehensive benefits such as health insurance, retirement savings with company match, and tuition reimbursement, supporting overall wellness and work-life balance. Periodic out-of-town field work is part of the role and may involve one overnight stay or a full day of driving, with travel supported through company vehicles or mileage reimbursement.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tampa, FL.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $27.00 - $32.00/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 fully onsite position in Tampa,FL.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 1, 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.