Distribution Designer

About the role

The Distribution Designer supports electric utility distribution projects from initial concept through completed design, delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective overhead and underground solutions. This role combines office-based design work with field activities, including data collection and site assessments, to develop constructible designs that align with utility standards and permitting requirements. The Designer works closely with engineers, project managers, and designers and operates under the guidance of technical staff, offering strong growth potential within the utility power industry.

Responsibilities

• Support the full lifecycle of electric utility distribution projects from conceptual design through final design completion.
• Design aerial and underground electric distribution systems, including primary, secondary, and service lines, in accordance with utility standards.
• 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 notes, sketches, measurements, and photos, to support constructible and safe designs.
• Prepare detailed design layouts and drawings using AutoCAD and utility design software that meet utility and client standards.
• Develop accurate bills of materials, including material lists, labor units, and equipment quantities required for construction.
• Use utility design software such as AUD and SpidaCalc to calculate clearances, loading, and pole class requirements.
• Apply utility-specific design standards for pole lines, underground systems, reliability improvements, and maintenance projects.
• Collaborate closely with engineers, project managers, designers, and multidisciplinary teams to align designs with project goals and constructability.
• Support grid reliability and community infrastructure by contributing to high-quality, mission-critical utility infrastructure projects.
• Participate in field visits to verify existing conditions, resolve design issues, and support construction as needed.

Essential Skills

• AUD (Automated Utility Design) experience
• High school diploma or equivalent
• 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
• Hands-on proficiency with AUD for utility design
• Experience laying out new lines, reconductoring, pole replacements, and underground duct banks
• Field surveying skills, including collecting accurate field notes, sketches, measurements, and photos
• Proficiency using AutoCAD to produce detailed design drawings and layouts that meet utility and client standards
• Experience using utility design software, including tools such as AUD and SpidaCalc, to calculate clearances, loading, and pole class requirements
• Experience preparing accurate bills of materials, including material lists, labor units, and equipment quantities
• Knowledge of permitting and clearances, including coordinating right-of-way, municipal permits, and clearance requests
• Ability to apply utility-specific design standards for pole lines, underground systems, reliability improvements, and maintenance projects
• Experience working on projects for a major utility in the Mid-Atlantic region, including Dominion Energy projects
• Valid driver’s license with a clean driving record

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience working with Mid-Atlantic utilities
• Familiarity with AUD, SpidaCalc, and utility-specific standards
• Prior field surveying and design coordination experience
• Experience using GIS in support of utility design projects
• Interest in growing into design, engineering, or project management roles
• Ability to work effectively in both office and field settings and adapt to changing project needs

Work Environment

The role offers a balanced mix of office and field work, providing exposure to both technical design and on-site conditions. Office work involves using AutoCAD, AUD, SpidaCalc, GIS, and other utility design tools in a collaborative environment with designers, engineers, and construction professionals. Field work may involve exposure to all weather conditions and requires the ability to lift up to 50 pounds while conducting site visits, surveys, and inspections. The position follows standard business hours with potential flexibility based on project needs and deadlines. The work centers on large-scale, mission-critical utility infrastructure projects, with strong technical mentorship, a clear career path into design, engineering, or project management roles, and stable, long-term work supporting essential utility systems and grid reliability.

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.

Requirements

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)

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.