Electrical Design Engineer

Job Title: Electrical Design Engineer

Location: Austin, TX

Job Description

The Electrical Design Engineer supports the planning and design of electrical infrastructure for commercial, industrial, and mission-critical facilities. In this role, you apply foundational electrical engineering knowledge to develop detailed designs, drawings, and calculations under the guidance of senior designers. You contribute to the full project lifecycle by preparing CAD models, reviewing documentation, and ensuring designs comply with relevant codes, standards, and project requirements.

Responsibilities

• Work under the direction and mentorship of senior designers to support the planning and design of electrical infrastructure for commercial, industrial, and mission-critical facilities.

• Prepare 2D Computer-Aided Design (CAD) drawings of moderate complexity that accurately represent electrical systems and layouts.

• Review drawings and vendor equipment documentation of basic to moderate complexity within the electrical discipline and from other disciplines for compliance with project requirements.

• Identify discrepancies or inconsistencies in drawings and documentation and actively seek resolution in collaboration with senior designers and other team members.

• Adhere to industry codes and standards, including the National Electrical Code (NEC), as well as internal department practices and procedures when developing designs and documentation.

• Create electrical schematics, grid plan layouts, power distribution systems, lighting layouts, and grounding designs to support project requirements.

• Perform electrical system calculations, including load flow, short circuit, voltage drop, arc flash, and conduit/cable sizing, to ensure safe and reliable system performance.

• Select and specify electrical equipment such as transformers, switchgear, motor control centers, and relay protection systems in alignment with project needs and applicable standards.

• Develop construction documents and 2D/3D models that clearly communicate design intent to internal teams, contractors, and clients.

• Assist in preparing responses to Requests for Information (RFIs) and address customer inquiries in a timely and professional manner.

• Utilize software tools such as AutoCAD, SKM, ETAP, and Microsoft Office to support design, analysis, documentation, and communication tasks.

• Perform other related duties as assigned to support project delivery and team objectives.

Essential Skills

• Familiarity with the National Electrical Code (NEC) and the ability to apply NEC requirements to electrical designs.

• 3+ years of design experience in electric utility, generation, substation, transmission, or distribution projects, with openness to candidates from a variety of electrical design backgrounds.

• Hands-on experience in electrical system design, including power and controls.

• Ability to create electrical schematics, grid plan layouts, power distribution systems, lighting designs, and grounding designs.

• Ability to perform electrical calculations such as load flow, short circuit, voltage drop, arc flash, and conduit/cable sizing.

• Proficiency in preparing 2D CAD drawings of moderate complexity using AutoCAD or similar tools.

• Capability to review drawings and vendor equipment documentation for compliance with project requirements and standards.

• Skill in selecting and specifying transformers, switchgear, motor control centers, and relay protection systems.

• Experience developing construction documents and 2D/3D models for electrical projects.

• Ability to assist with responses to RFIs and customer inquiries in a clear and timely manner.

• Proficiency with AutoCAD, SKM, ETAP, and Microsoft Office applications.

• Strong attention to detail and commitment to adhering to industry codes, standards, and internal procedures.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field is preferred.

• Experience with electric utility, generation, substation, transmission, or distribution projects is highly beneficial.

• Background in power and controls engineering, including practical exposure to commissioning or power studies.

• Experience using SKM and ETAP for power system studies and analysis.

• Ability to work effectively under the guidance of senior designers and collaborate within a multidisciplinary team.

• Strong written and verbal communication skills for preparing documentation and responding to RFIs and client inquiries.

• Organizational skills to manage multiple tasks, maintain documentation accuracy, and meet project deadlines.

Work Environment

This role operates in a professional engineering environment focused on the design of electrical infrastructure for commercial, industrial, and mission-critical facilities. You will primarily work with digital tools, including AutoCAD for drafting, SKM and ETAP for power system analysis, and Microsoft Office for documentation and communication. The position involves close collaboration with senior designers and other disciplines, with a strong emphasis on adherence to industry codes, standards, and internal procedures. Work is typically performed in an office or hybrid office setting, where professional attire appropriate for a technical engineering environment is expected.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $55.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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)

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Nov 17, 2026.

Workplace Type

This is a fully onsite position in Austin,TX.

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 [email protected] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.