About this role
Job Title: Electrical EngineerJob DescriptionThis Electrical Engineer role focuses on designing, analyzing, and supporting electrical and instrumentation systems for process and manufacturing projects, particularly within refinery and petrochemical environments. You will apply advanced engineering techniques, develop detailed design documentation, and collaborate closely with multidisciplinary teams to deliver efficient, constructible solutions that meet project scope, specifications, and industry standards.Responsibilities
• Utilize department design and drafting standards to produce consistent and high-quality engineering deliverables. • Review and understand project scope, specifications, and design criteria upon assignment to project task teams. • Recognize, document, and promptly communicate scope and design changes to senior engineering staff. • Provide on-site assistance during startup activities to support successful commissioning of electrical and instrumentation systems. • Produce estimate-level preliminary designs and material take-offs appropriate for the level of estimate required on each project. • Prepare detailed design calculations and sketches for materials of construction, organizing them clearly for efficient checking and for use by drafters and designers. • Develop designs that optimize construction material usage, emphasize ease of construction, and meet client performance expectations. • Check calculations prepared by other engineers to verify accuracy and compliance with codes, specifications, design criteria, and sound engineering practices. • Assist the drafting group in resolving routine layout and detailing issues, providing sufficient sketches and details to complete engineering drawings. • Consult with design leaders from other disciplines to ensure smooth information flow and coordinated project completion. • Advise senior engineers of any identified design or scope changes and their potential impact on project execution. • Support other engineers in assembling scopes, drawings, and specifications into complete packages for electrical and instrumentation purchase inquiries and subcontract pricing. • Review and check vendor drawings and drawings from other disciplines to incorporate necessary electrical and instrumentation input. • Develop construction specifications for electrical and instrumentation systems and equipment. • Review fabrication drawings and construction submittals to ensure conformance with engineering drawings and specifications. • Perform fieldwork to gather site data, verify tie-ins, and provide construction support for electrical and instrumentation installations. • Provide technical guidance and mentoring to less experienced drafting and engineering personnel within the department. • Apply discipline-specific methods, practices, and techniques required to engineer, design, and construct process and manufacturing projects. • Use advanced engineering techniques and analysis to solve complex design challenges. • Produce installation details, motor control center single-line diagrams, electric room layouts, motor control elementaries, connection diagrams, cable schedules, control panel layouts, and grounding, lighting, power, and instrumentation plans under general supervision. • Develop conceptual layouts and cost studies to identify the most efficient and practical approach to engineering tasks. • Create accurate electrical installation documents based on information from vendor equipment drawings. • Develop equipment specifications for motor control centers, variable frequency drives, induction and synchronous motors, and load center unit substations. • Develop construction cost estimates, detailed engineering schedules, and man-hour budgets for small projects or defined areas of larger projects. • Determine construction material quantities and ensure alignment with project budgets and schedules. • Apply and maintain knowledge of engineering design and CAD drafting standards in all project deliverables. Essential Skills
• Bachelor or Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university. • 6+ years of relevant industrial experience in electrical and instrumentation engineering, preferably in refinery or petrochemical environments. • 4+ years of experience working with ElecDes or similar electrical design software. • Knowledge and application of the current version of the National Electrical Code (NEC). • Familiarity with specifications and installation details for construction bulk materials and electrical equipment. • Ability to perform lighting level calculations for industrial and commercial applications. • Ability to size wire, conduit, and overcurrent protection for lighting and power systems. • Ability to perform voltage drop calculations for various electrical circuits. • Ability to route conduit and cable tray systems and calculate tray and conduit fill. • Ability to determine motor control center loading and load center unit substation loading. • Ability to create accurate electrical installation documents from vendor equipment drawings. • Instrumentation skills including sizing control valves using appropriate software. • Ability to develop specifications and data sheets for instrumentation, analyzers, control systems, and actuated valves. • Familiarity with instrumentation and controls standards, including ISA standards. • Working knowledge of CAD software, such as AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, or both. • Proficiency with Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook. • Knowledge and understanding of schedule constraints and information requirements for producing all electrical deliverables. • Ability to develop construction cost estimates, detailed engineering schedules, and man-hour budgets for projects. • Ability to determine construction material quantities accurately. • Knowledge and application of internal engineering design and CAD drafting standards. Work EnvironmentThis position is based in an office environment with a standard 40-hour workweek. You will primarily work with engineering and design software tools, including CAD platforms such as AutoCAD Electrical, ElecDes, and MicroStation, as well as Microsoft Word, Excel, and Outlook for documentation and communication. The role may involve periodic visits to industrial sites, such as process, refinery, or petrochemical facilities, to perform fieldwork, gather data, and support construction and startup activities. The work setting emphasizes collaboration with multidisciplinary teams, adherence to established engineering and drafting standards, and a professional atmosphere that supports detailed technical work and project coordination. Paid time off and holidays are available, contributing to a balanced and supportive work environment. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract position based out of Houston, TX. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $70.00 - $85.00/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 TypeThis is a fully onsite position in Houston,TX. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Sep 25, 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 [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.