Job Title: Electrical Engineering Technician 1
Job Description
This contract Electrical Engineering Technician 1 role provides professional support to the Engineering Support organization within a broader substation engineering department. The technician contributes to the design of indoor and outdoor electrical power substations and related facilities by producing detailed design drawings, material requests, and supporting documentation for assigned projects. The role collaborates closely with internal engineering groups and external transmission engineering teams to develop accurate, standards-compliant designs and to support complex substation projects from concept through implementation.
Responsibilities
Develop preliminary plot plans, one-line diagrams, and grounding drawings to support substation scoping and Concept Design Document (CDD) development.
Draft work from engineers and as-built drawings using advanced CAD skills while following established CAD and organizational standards for capital and expense projects.
Create and modify drawings that may include substation outdoor electrical equipment, data systems, telecommunications, remedial action schemes (RAS), control and protection, and facilities layouts.
Produce indoor and outdoor electrical power substation and facility design drawings, material requests, and other documents required for the design of assigned projects.
Use CAD systems and other computer tools to support design and design document production, including using systems such as Cascade to locate existing substation equipment information and verify equipment ratings and other key data.
Consult and collaborate with engineering staff and other personnel to review, discuss, and interpret design concepts, clarify and recommend requirements for detailed working drawings, and provide technical input and recommendations to resolve design issues.
Perform detailed wire checking from substation schematics and wiring diagrams to verify accuracy and consistency.
Review design projects produced by internal design groups and external service contract vendors to verify compliance with current standards and policies; provide recommendations for corrections to appropriate staff.
Review rough sketches, drawings, specifications, and other engineering data from engineers to ensure alignment with design concepts and project requirements.
Coordinate the availability and delivery of designs with contracting firms and indoor design groups to support project schedules and design needs.
Facilitate regular meetings with switchboard electrician foremen to draft updates to substation engineering design standard templates and prepare them for manager approval.
Assist with drafting and documenting proposed changes to policies, processes, and technical procedures related to substation design and documentation.
Gather data from paper and electronic engineering drawings and legacy data systems, then prepare and tabulate that data for archival in systems such as ProjectWise, SharePoint, or other designated repositories.
Monitor and assess designs that are in a non-approved state to understand workflow status and availability, helping to keep projects moving forward.
Perform basic filing and document management functions by creating and maintaining files and filing systems in accordance with compliance requirements, ensuring all official records are accurately maintained for auditing purposes.
Maintain file records in accordance with information security and information governance policies and procedures.
Recommend new or improved processes, procedures, and standards for consideration by management, and assist with implementing management-approved improvements.
Provide technician support to design engineers and other technicians by preparing reports, consolidation papers, printing design packages, preparing drawing lists, and coordinating the release of work-in-process (WIP) designs.
Research missing data points and data quality issues by using existing paper and electronic records and drawings, and coordinate with engineers and others to resolve discrepancies.
Resolve conflicting or duplicate serial numbering on designs by researching existing information and issuing corrections as appropriate.
Review contract standard template development with assigned engineers to verify proper use of cell libraries and adherence to applicable standards and policies.
Assist with updating and maintaining attributes and metadata of substation engineering drawings and documents within ProjectWise or similar systems.
Use tools such as ProjectWise advanced search features and legacy records to locate, research, and identify existing drawings and other records related to substation engineering, and assist engineering groups in identifying and organizing these records.
Support management and project teams by integrating engineering requirements for assigned projects and ensuring they are reflected accurately in design documentation.
Review and integrate requirements from multiple subsystems into a consistent, workable design package and coordinate with technicians responsible for detailed design work.
Collaborate with supervisors, engineers, construction services, and contractors to identify engineering options and solutions when requirements or priorities conflict.
Assist with pre-engineering calculations and research to support product reliability and accuracy for engineering, technical, and commercial applications.
Support project requirements, plans, and details by collaborating with engineers, other technicians within engineering and technical services, and project managers, and by responding to questions from field personnel.
Analyze factors that lead to design errors and make recommendations for corrective actions; assist engineers with implementing chosen solutions.
Contribute to special projects such as wiring diagrams, design modifications, standard hardware details, and other design-related tasks as requested.
Travel to substation field locations to gather information on existing infrastructure to support project documentation, including arranging site visits, coordinating logistics, and facilitating on-site meetings.
Prepare site visit materials such as agendas, notes, and project team assignments, and document site conditions through rough sketches and photographs of existing facilities.
Evaluate material and equipment requirements for projects, prepare bills of materials (BOMs) and requisitions, and submit recommendations for review and approval.
Track and manage designs and BOMs that require voiding by preparing void and revision packages in accordance with established procedures for review and approval.
Essential Skills
Bachelor's or Associate's degree in Engineering, Mathematics, Computer Aided Design (CAD), Drafting, Computer Science, or a related field is preferred.
At least 1 year of directly related work experience in engineering, computer science, CAD, drafting, or a related technical field.
Knowledge of engineering drafting practices and standards applicable to substation or related engineering environments.
At least six (6) months of engineering technician CAD experience, including creating and modifying technical drawings.
Ability to read, understand, and analyze engineering drawings, schematics, and diagrams.
Ability to use computer technology and software tools to perform engineering technician tasks efficiently and accurately.
Experience using CAD software to create engineering drawings, preferably MicroStation, Excel-based tools, and/or SolidEdge.
Valid U.S. driver's license to support occasional travel to field locations.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
Knowledge of engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to components and facilities found on a regional transmission system.
Experience using 3D modeling software such as SolidWorks or Inventor.
Experience working with database systems such as SQL, Microsoft Access, or Power BI for data management and analysis.
Experience using document management systems such as ProjectWise, SharePoint, or similar platforms to maintain, store, index, and track engineering documents.
Strong organizational skills with the ability to manage multiple design packages, drawing lists, and documentation workflows.
Attention to detail when performing wire checks, reviewing design packages, and resolving data quality issues.
Ability to work independently with minimal supervision while meeting deadlines in a project-driven environment.
Effective communication and collaboration skills for working with engineers, technicians, contractors, and field personnel.
Familiarity with bills of materials (BOMs), material requisitions, and equipment specification review.
Work Environment
The position is based in Vancouver, WA, in a slower-paced office environment that supports regional substation engineering and design activities. The workplace emphasizes knowledge sharing, teamwork, and a culture where people are valued and innovation in the power market is encouraged. Work hours offer some flexibility depending on the department, such as an earlier start time option. The environment is deadline-driven and often involves waiting on approvals, signatures, and paperwork from various stakeholders, which requires patience and strong self-management. The role features a highly independent work style with limited day-to-day supervision, making it well-suited for individuals who are comfortable managing their own workload. Business casual attire is standard in the office. The work relies heavily on CAD software and related engineering tools, as well as document management systems such as ProjectWise and SharePoint. Occasional travel to substation field locations is required to gather site information and support project documentation. Employees have access to a comprehensive benefits package that may include paid federal holidays, vacation and sick time, health-related benefits with HSA contributions, and a signing bonus, contributing to a supportive and stable work environment.
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Vancouver, WA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $25.00 - $30.00/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)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Vancouver,WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Sep 16, 2026.
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 actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com 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.
