Distribution Designer
About the role
The Distribution Designer will design electric and gas distribution routes and systems for utility projects, with a primary focus on long-term gas distribution engineering. This role centers on creating detailed designs, performing technical calculations, and supporting field activities to modernize and upgrade utility infrastructure.
Responsibilities
- Design gas distribution projects for utility systems, ensuring compliance with applicable standards and design practices.
- Convert existing steel pipe systems to HDPE piping, incorporating appropriate materials, specifications, and installation requirements.
- Communicate directly with customers to discuss project scope, requirements, and updates, providing clear and professional information.
- Perform field visits to collect measurements, photographs, and other site data needed to complete accurate designs.
- Review field conditions and site details to identify constraints, verify existing infrastructure, and inform design decisions.
- Support right-of-way (ROW) activities by reviewing routes, property impacts, and access considerations for distribution projects.
- Create maps and complete detailed system designs using utility design tools and company systems.
- Enter point-by-point designs into company systems, ensuring accuracy, completeness, and proper documentation of all design elements.
- Conduct gas pressure calculations and related technical analyses to confirm system performance and safety.
- Conduct quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) reviews on designs and documentation, especially at a senior level of responsibility.
- Apply knowledge of utility design standards, including NESC, REC, and MUS or similar standards, to ensure compliant and reliable designs.
- Collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to support pole replacement and other infrastructure upgrade projects.
- Use systems such as Maximo, SAP, and other utility design tools to manage work orders, track project information, and support design workflows.
Essential Skills
- At least 2 years of gas distribution design experience for a utility, either directly or through a contractor.
- Hands-on experience with gas distribution design, including route planning and system layout.
- Proficiency with Maximo for utility asset management and design-related workflows.
- Experience working with utility design environments, including distribution design for gas and electric systems.
- Knowledge of NESC (National Electrical Safety Code) and/or REC standards relevant to utility distribution.
- Familiarity with MUS or similar utility design standards and practices.
- Ability to perform gas pressure calculations and interpret results for system design and safety.
- Capability to conduct field visits, collect measurements and photographs, and translate field data into accurate designs.
- Strong communication skills for direct interaction with customers and project stakeholders.
- Ability to work effectively as a designer or technician on utility projects without functioning as a licensed engineer.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with SAP or similar enterprise systems used in utility environments.
- Background in utility work with organizations such as regional utilities, engineering firms, or construction services contractors.
- Exposure to projects involving fiber-to-home expansion and rural broadband deployment.
- Ability to support both office-based design work and field-based data collection as needed.
- Comfort working across multiple client groups and project types, adapting to changing priorities.
- Local familiarity with Wisconsin and Iowa utility territories is preferred to support field work and project coordination.
Work Environment
This role combines office-based design work with field activities in utility territories. Approximately 60% of the work occurs in an office setting, which can be performed remotely, focusing on system design, mapping, calculations, and documentation using tools such as Maximo, SAP, and other utility design systems. The remaining 40% involves field work primarily in Wisconsin and Iowa, including visits to utility sites to collect measurements, photographs, and pole data. For pole replacement and similar projects, the Distribution Designer may choose to perform fielding of poles and data collection two to three days per week before returning to the office to complete designs, or focus strictly on design work if preferred.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Madison, WI.
Pay And Benefits
The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $40.00/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.