Entry Level Distribution Engineer

Job Title: Distribution Engineerr I (Entry Level)

Job Description

This role focuses on planning, engineering, and designing electric and gas distribution systems to support reliable power delivery. You determine the need, size, location, and timing of distribution infrastructure, balancing economic, environmental, social, regulatory, and reliability considerations. Under the guidance of experienced engineers, you develop work packages for overhead, underground, and residential distribution projects, perform field engineering to identify project requirements and conflicting utilities, complete engineering and design calculations, and support post-construction reviews. You work on day-to-day objectives and less complex assignments, solving routine technical problems by following established procedures and applying fundamental engineering principles within a focused technical domain.

About The Company

Our client is a leading technology and engineering organization that provides innovative solutions in cybersecurity, digital modernization, engineering, energy infrastructure, aerospace, and mission-critical operations for government and commercial customers.

Responsibilities

• Develop design and construction work packages for electrical overhead and underground distribution systems operating from 4 kV through 138 kV, primarily associated with programmatic work such as overloaded transformers, inspection and maintenance, joint use, and inspection reports.
• Create work packages for overhead (OH), underground (UG), underground residential distribution (URD), make-ready, and street light projects using customer GIS and work management systems such as GE Smallworld, Bentley Expert Designer, and related tools.
• Apply customer engineering and construction standards when preparing designs and documentation for distribution projects.
• Perform field visits to project sites as needed, conduct inspections, gather data, and return to the office to complete engineering design work.
• Identify and coordinate conflicting utilities and other field engineering design requirements to ensure safe, efficient, and compliant designs.
• Assess and develop detailed design packages for complex cable and conduit projects in dense urban environments, including work permits, easements, and right-of-way applications.
• Design mainline vaults, medium-voltage switchgear, network system configurations, and distribution system protection and coordination schemes in accordance with applicable standards.
• Perform engineering calculations, including structural analysis for wood pole loading, guying calculations, specifying conductor sags and tensions for recommended spans, and calculating voltage drop and flicker.
• Develop permitting documents for various authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), ensuring designs comply with local regulatory and permitting requirements.
• Provide engineering support during construction, including reviewing construction activities and conducting post-construction reviews to confirm that all applicable engineering and construction standards have been met.
• Conduct root cause analysis of outages and develop mitigation strategies using sound engineering principles and design practices.
• Comply with all safety requirements and adhere to established design and quality expectations throughout project execution.
• Collaborate with peers and technical leads to explain analysis, processes, and design practices related to your area of responsibility.
• Participate in training on client design standards, NESC requirements, GIS design tools, structural pole modeling, electrical power calculations, project and financial management, and other relevant topics to continuously build technical expertise.

Essential Skills

• Completed Bachelor of Science degree in an engineering discipline.
• 0-1 years of prior relevant engineering experience in a technical role.
• Basic knowledge of and ability to apply principles, theories, and concepts within a narrow electrical or utility engineering domain.
• Interest in developing design and construction work packages for overhead, underground, underground residential distribution, make-ready, and street light projects.
• Ability to perform fundamental engineering calculations, including structural analysis for wood pole loading, guying, conductor sag and tension, voltage drop, and flicker.
• Proficiency with MS Office applications, including Word, Excel, and Outlook.
• Ability to learn and use GIS and work management systems such as GE Smallworld and Bentley Expert Designer for distribution design work.
• Strong written communication skills to prepare clear engineering documentation, reports, and permitting packages.
• Strong verbal and interpersonal communication skills to collaborate effectively with peers, technical leads, and other stakeholders.
• Ability to travel to project sites as needed and perform inspections in support of engineering design activities.
• Commitment to follow established procedures, safety requirements, and design and quality standards.

Work Environment

This position is based in an office environment in Houston with no hybrid work option. You primarily work in a professional office setting using standard computer equipment, MS Office applications, and specialized GIS and design tools such as GE Smallworld and Bentley Expert Designer. While most work is office-based, you occasionally travel to field sites to perform inspections and gather design data before returning to the office to complete engineering tasks. The role involves close collaboration with technical leads and peers, structured training in customer engineering and construction standards, and adherence to established safety, design, and quality practices in a supportive and learning-focused environment.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Houston, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $32.00 - $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 Houston,TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 14, 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.