About Careertakes

👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, power delivery engineering (electric utility services).

Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.

---

What You’ll Do

This is an entry-level Distribution Design Engineer I role supporting electric utility power delivery projects. Working under the direction of experienced engineers, you will contribute to the planning, engineering, and design of overhead and underground distribution systems and support field activities.

• Plan, engineer, and design electric distribution systems for residential and commercial customers.
• Help determine need, size, location and timing of distribution infrastructure while balancing economic, environmental, regulatory, and reliability factors.
• Develop work packages for overhead distribution, underground residential distribution (URD), and underground cable/conduit systems.
• Perform field engineering: gather requirements, verify existing conditions, and identify conflicting utilities or site constraints.
• Conduct engineering and design calculations using established standards and codes.
• Produce and update distribution drawings and documentation using CAD tools (AutoCAD, MicroStation, or equivalents).
• Participate in post-construction reviews to confirm as-built conformity and identify improvements.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external utility clients to resolve design issues and align on project goals.
• Follow engineering procedures, policies, and relevant codes (for example, the National Electric Safety Code where applicable).
• Communicate clearly with peers, team members, and client representatives; escalate complex problems to senior engineers.

---

Essential Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Engineering (Electrical preferred; Mechanical, Civil, Environmental or related fields considered).
• OR Associate degree in a related technical field plus significant relevant experience (per source qualifications).
• Hands-on or internship experience with electric utilities or utility-focused consulting preferred.
• Experience using CAD for engineering design (AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar).
• Foundational knowledge of electrical/mechanical/civil engineering principles as applied to power distribution.
• Comfortable working in a mix of field and office/remote environments; able to perform site visits and inspections.
• Ability to lift up to 20 pounds and walk up to 2 miles on unpaved surfaces during fieldwork.
• Reliable personal transportation and a valid driver’s license.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills; ability to work well in teams.
• Positive attitude with a willingness to learn under supervision.
• Must live within a 40-minute radius of Lansing, MI (travel required across assigned Michigan territory).

---

Preferred / Additional Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Environmental Engineering, or Civil Engineering is preferred.
• Prior experience on power delivery projects (overhead and URD) for utilities is highly beneficial.
• Familiarity with industry standards, NESC practices, voltage considerations, transformer application, and distribution equipment.
• Experience supporting projects for electric utilities, generation owners, or industrial clients.
• Interest in professional growth with potential to advance into technical lead roles.
• Flexibility to support other utility programs (generation, substations, transmission) as needed.

---

Work Environment & Schedule

• Hybrid role: approximately 70% remote/office design work and 30% field-based activities within an assigned territory in Michigan.
• Field work includes site visits, walking on unpaved ground, utility pole/site inspections, and occasional lifting.
• Typical assignment is a contract position; hours and schedule will follow client and project needs.

---

Job Type & Location

• Employment type: Contract
• Location (workplace): Hybrid, Wolverine Lake, MI (assigned territory in Michigan; must meet local commute requirement above)

---

Pay & Benefits

• Pay rate: $29.00 per hour.
• Exact compensation offered will depend on qualifications, experience, geographic location, internal equity and other job-related factors.
• If eligible, temporary/contract benefits may include medical, dental & vision; voluntary life/AD&D; short/long-term disability; HSA; 401(k) retirement plan options; employee assistance program; and standard time-off provisions — subject to plan terms and eligibility.

---

Candidate Fit — What We’re Looking For

• A motivated, safety-focused early-career engineer or technician with an interest in power distribution and utility engineering.
• Someone who learns quickly, follows procedures, communicates professionally in client-facing situations, and can balance field verification with CAD-based design work.
• Willingness to grow within a larger power delivery practice and take on increasing responsibility over time.

---

Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency

Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.

If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.