Designer

Job Title: Designer – Electric Utility Distribution

Job Description

The Designer supports electric utility distribution projects from initial concept through completed design, contributing to both overhead and underground systems. This role combines office-based design work with fieldwork and involves close collaboration with engineers, project managers, and senior designers to deliver safe, reliable, and cost‑effective electric distribution solutions. The Designer collects field data, prepares detailed design layouts, develops bills of materials, and ensures all designs comply with applicable utility standards and permitting requirements. Working under the guidance of senior technical staff, this position offers strong growth potential for individuals seeking to advance within the utility power industry.

Responsibilities

• Support electric utility distribution projects from concept through final design for both overhead and underground systems.
• Design aerial and underground electric distribution systems, including primary, secondary, and service lines.
• Lay out new overhead and underground lines, including reconductoring, pole replacements, and underground duct banks, while identifying and addressing utility conflicts.
• Collect accurate field data, including field notes, sketches, measurements, and photos, to support constructible designs.
• Prepare detailed design layouts and drawings that meet utility and client standards using AutoCAD and utility design software.
• Develop accurate bills of materials, including material lists, labor units, and equipment quantities for construction.
• Apply utility‑specific design standards for pole lines, underground systems, reliability improvements, and maintenance projects.
• Use utility design tools such as AUD and SpidaCalc to calculate clearances, loading, and pole class requirements.
• Coordinate permitting activities, including right‑of‑way, municipal permits, and clearance requests, to ensure regulatory compliance.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, project managers, senior designers, and multidisciplinary teams across design, engineering, and construction.
• Support projects for regional utilities, ensuring designs contribute to grid reliability and community infrastructure.
• Follow established quality, safety, and documentation standards throughout the design and field data collection process.

Essential Skills

• 1–4 years of experience in electric utility distribution design.
• Ability to design aerial and underground electric distribution systems, including primary, secondary, and service lines.
• Experience with overhead and/or underground electric distribution systems, including new line layout, reconductoring, pole replacements, and underground duct banks.
• Proficiency with AUD for electric utility distribution design.
• Hands‑on experience using utility design software such as AUD and SpidaCalc to calculate clearances, loading, and pole class requirements.
• Field surveying experience, including collecting accurate field notes, sketches, measurements, and photos.
• Ability to produce detailed design drawings and layouts in AutoCAD that meet utility and client standards.
• Understanding and application of utility‑specific design standards for pole lines, underground systems, reliability improvements, and maintenance projects.
• Experience with permitting and clearances, including coordinating right‑of‑way, municipal permits, and clearance requests.
• High school diploma or equivalent.
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working on projects for Mid‑Atlantic utilities.
• Experience working on projects for major regional utilities in the electric distribution space.
• Familiarity with AUD, SpidaCalc, and various utility‑specific standards.
• Prior field surveying and design coordination experience on utility distribution projects.
• Experience with GIS and utility design workflows.
• Interest in growing into senior design, engineering, or project management roles within the utility power industry.

Work Environment

The role offers a balanced mix of office and field work, providing exposure to both technical design tasks and on‑site conditions. Office work typically follows standard business hours, with potential flexibility depending on project needs, and involves using tools such as AutoCAD, AUD, SpidaCalc, GIS, and other utility design software. Field work may include exposure to all weather conditions and varying terrain, and may require lifting up to 50 pounds while collecting measurements, photos, and other survey data. The Designer works closely with multidisciplinary teams across design, engineering, and construction, contributing to large‑scale, mission‑critical utility infrastructure projects. The environment emphasizes stable, long‑term work supporting essential utility systems, strong technical mentorship from experienced designers and engineers, and clear career paths into senior design, engineering, or project management roles.

Job Type & Location

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

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on May 5, 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. Learn more about how we can work together at actalentservices.com.

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