Entry Level Engineer
The Entry Level Engineer role involves designing and supporting overhead and underground electrical distribution systems from 4kV to 138kV. The position requires developing detailed design and construction packages, performing engineering calculations, supporting field inspections, and ensuring compliance with safety and engineering standards. This contract-to-hire role offers hands-on experience with utility design, permitting, construction support, and collaboration with multiple stakeholders in a fully onsite environment in Charlotte, NC.
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, Engineering and sciences services and talent solutions.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Position summary
Confidential Client is seeking an Entry Level Engineer to support electrical distribution design and construction work packages for overhead and underground systems from 4 kV to 138 kV. This is a contract-to-hire opportunity that provides hands-on utility design, permitting, and construction support under the direction of a technical lead.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop detailed design and construction work packages for overhead (OH), underground (UG), and underground residential distribution (URD) systems (4 kV–138 kV), including make-ready and street lighting projects.
- Perform engineering calculations: structural pole loading, guying, conductor sag/tension, voltage drop, and flicker.
- Prepare permitting documents and submissions for authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs).
- Travel to project sites for field inspections and data collection; incorporate field findings into office-based design deliverables.
- Provide engineering support during construction and respond to field inquiries; conduct post-construction reviews for compliance.
- Conduct root-cause analyses of outages and propose mitigation solutions.
- Use GIS and work‑management tools (e.g., GE Smallworld, Bentley Expert Designer) to develop and document work packages.
- Coordinate with other utilities, stakeholders, and permitting teams to resolve conflicts and secure easements or ROW agreements.
- Assist with design of mainline vault medium‑voltage switchgear, network configurations, and protection/coordination schemes.
- Participate in training and apply customer engineering and construction standards consistently.
- Support storm response and restoration activities as needed.
Essential Skills & Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil Engineering required.
- Fundamental understanding of power distribution systems (overhead and underground) from 4 kV through 138 kV.
- Hands-on or coursework experience with AutoCAD and SolidWorks.
- Familiarity with GIS tools (ArcGIS, ArcMap) and GIS‑based design workflows.
- Ability to perform structural and electrical engineering calculations for distribution systems.
- Comfortable working in both field and office environments; willingness to travel to project sites.
- Strong attention to detail and commitment to design, construction, and safety standards (including NESC awareness).
- Effective verbal and written communication skills for coordination with technical leads, field personnel, and permitting authorities.
- Ability to interpret design standards, codes, and client requirements.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract-to-Hire position based out of Charlotte, IA, United States.
Pay & Benefits
- Pay range: $30.00 - $30.00 per hour.
- Final pay within this range will depend on qualifications, relevant experience, geographic location, and other job-related factors.
- If eligible, benefits for this temporary role may include: medical, dental & vision; critical illness/accident/hospital plans; 401(k) with pre-tax and Roth options; voluntary life & AD&D; short- and long-term disability; Health Savings Account (HSA); transportation benefits; Employee Assistance Program; and paid time off subject to eligibility.
Workplace Type
This is a fully onsite position in Charlotte, IA. Candidates must be willing and able to work from the job site and travel locally to project locations as required.
Application timeline & Compliance
- Anticipated application close date (as listed by the source): Oct 5, 2026.
- Careertakes and our client comply with all applicable federal, state, and local employment laws, including reasonable accommodation requirements. If you need a reasonable accommodation at any stage of the hiring process, please contact Careertakes for assistance.
About the Confidential Client
Our client is a global provider of engineering and sciences services and talent solutions that supports large utilities and industrial customers with engineering design, consulting, and field services. The role offers exposure to industry standards, client-specific processes, and hands-on utility design experience.
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.
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