Job Title: Senior Electrical Design EngineerJob DescriptionThe Senior Electrical Design Engineer provides advanced technical expertise in facilities and industrial power systems, delivering highquality, code-compliant designs and documentation for complex projects in a global marketplace. This role leads the design of low and medium voltage power distribution, standby systems, and metering infrastructure, while mentoring junior staff and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. The engineer actively supports all project phases, from proposal and design through construction, ensuring solutions that are reliable, efficient, and aligned with best practices and industry standards.
Responsibilities
- Deliver highquality electrical engineering services that provide strong technical value and support competitiveness in the global marketplace.
- Perform detailed electrical load calculations to determine the capacity and suitability of existing infrastructure.
- Develop and refine 3D layouts and models to support the Design Area Lead or Lead/Director of Engineering across various project types.
- Design standby power systems, including generators, UPS, and battery systems, to ensure reliable backup power.
- Design padmounted transformers and associated equipment for facility and industrial applications.
- Design 480V switchgear and 480V distribution equipment for facilities and data center environments.
- Design N+1 redundant Power Distribution Unit (PDU) systems to support highavailability operations.
- Design aboveground conduit systems and, where required, underground installations for outdoor electrical equipment.
- Design underground cable bus systems for main feeders and other critical power pathways.
- Develop electrical designs that support cooling equipment, including chillers and CRAH units, as specified by others.
- Design rack electrical distribution and additional capacity to racks based on customer requirements, including data center applications.
- Design power distribution to laboratory benches and other specialized workstations as specified by customers.
- Prepare metering system drawings and associated documentation for power monitoring and control.
- Design lighting and lighting control systems to meet current codes and project requirements.
- Prepare, maintain, and update 2D CAD drawings and documentation to support project deliverables.
- Create, maintain, and update tabulation sheets (T Sheets) to accurately map, track, and audit power metering drops across laboratory and facility infrastructure.
- Review engineering drawings and vendor equipment documentation for compliance with project requirements and proactively resolve discrepancies.
- Ensure all designs adhere to applicable industry codes, standards, and internal department practices and procedures.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to Junior Design Engineers and CAD staff to support their development and ensure quality deliverables.
- Coordinate closely with other trades, including mechanical, architectural, civil, and other consulting disciplines, to ensure integrated and constructible electrical design packages.
- Lead project design reviews, identify risks and opportunities, and recommend best practices to optimize performance, reliability, and cost.
- Stamp final construction drawings as a licensed Professional Engineer, where applicable.
- Attend construction and coordination meetings to support the construction phase, address field questions, and resolve design issues.
- Support the preparation of engineering proposals, including technical scope, assumptions, and levelofeffort estimates.
- Perform power system studies, including load flow, short circuit, voltage drop, arc flash, motor starting, and power quality analyses using appropriate modeling software.
- Create electrical schematics, grid plan layouts, power distribution onelines, lighting layouts, and grounding system designs.
- Select and specify transformers, switchgear, motor control centers, relay protection systems, and related electrical equipment.
- Develop comprehensive construction documents and 2D/3D models that clearly communicate design intent to contractors and stakeholders.
- Support commissioning activities for data center and industrial power distribution systems as needed.
- Perform other related engineering duties as assigned to support project and organizational goals.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent Electrical Engineering degree.
- At least 5 years of engineering experience with facilities power systems design.
- 5+ years of design engineering experience in electric utility, generation, substation, transmission, or distribution projects.
- Experience designing low voltage equipment and systems for power distribution.
- Experience with substation and power systems design, including utility and industrial applications.
- Proficiency in applying NEC, NFPA 70E, and relevant local electrical codes to design and documentation.
- Experience performing shortcircuit, protective device coordination, arcflash, motor starting, and power quality studies.
- Experience using power system modeling software such as SKM and ETAP, or similar tools.
- Proficiency with AutoCAD and strong knowledge of proper drafting techniques for 2D drawings.
- Ability to read, interpret, and extract information from project plans, specifications, and vendor documentation.
- Demonstrated ability to create electrical schematics, grid plan layouts, power distribution systems, lighting, and grounding designs.
- Experience performing load flow, short circuit, voltage drop, arc flash, and conduit/cable sizing calculations.
- Ability to select and specify transformers, switchgear, motor control centers, and relay protection systems.
- Strong technical writing skills for reports, studies, specifications, and project documentation.
- Excellent problemsolving and analytical skills, with the ability to evaluate complex technical issues and propose practical solutions.
- Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while also contributing effectively as part of a team.
- Clear and effective communication skills in English, both verbal and written, with comfort interacting directly with customers and coworkers.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license is preferred and ability to stamp final construction drawings is highly valued.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with data center power distribution systems, including highavailability and N+1 redundant designs.
- Experience with industrial power distribution systems and commissioning activities.
- Power and controls experience, including metering systems and associated controls integration.
- Experience developing construction documents and both 2D and 3D electrical models.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office for documentation, analysis, and communication.
- Ability to travel locally and regionally, including occasional overnight trips, to support project and construction activities.
- Ability to work flexible schedules, including overtime, nights, weekends, and holidays, when project needs require.
- Valid drivers license with an acceptable driving record.
- Physical ability to climb, crawl, stand, walk, and lift up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation.
- Preferred safety training such as OSHA 10 or 30, MSHA, NFPA 70E, and CPR/First Aid/BBP/AED; training can be provided if not already held.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor junior engineers and CAD staff and contribute to a collaborative team culture.
- Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines across concurrent projects.
Work EnvironmentThe role operates in a combination of office, design studio, and field or construction site environments. In the office, you will work extensively with AutoCAD, SKM, ETAP, and Microsoft Office to develop calculations, models, drawings, and technical documentation. Field and site visits may include data centers, laboratories, industrial facilities, and utility substations, where you will observe installations, attend construction meetings, and support commissioning and troubleshooting activities. Work hours are generally standard business hours, but project demands may occasionally require overtime, night, weekend, or holiday work, as well as local and regional travel with some overnight stays. The position may involve climbing ladders, accessing tight spaces, walking job sites, and lifting equipment or documents up to 50 pounds, with or without reasonable accommodation. The work culture emphasizes safety, technical excellence, mentorship, and close collaboration with multidisciplinary teams to deliver reliable, codecompliant, and constructible electrical designs. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $49.04 - $79.33/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 & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 18, 2026. Workplace TypeThis 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.
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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.
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