Entry Level Utility Engineer Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Description

This role focuses on subsurface utility engineering (SUE) and underground utility exploration. The SUE Technician II uses advanced underground utility locating equipment and performs vacuum excavation to expose and measure the depth of buried utilities. This position offers steady work, access to cutting-edge technology, overtime opportunities, and a clear path for career growth within a family-oriented surveying and SUE organization.

Responsibilities

• Perform underground utility exploration using utility locating equipment, including ground-penetrating radar (GPR) and other subsurface utility engineering tools.
• Excavate and dig test holes to expose underground utilities and accurately measure their depth and location.
• Operate vacuum truck equipment (Vac Truck) safely and efficiently to perform non-destructive excavation around buried utilities.
• Use construction and excavation tools such as jackhammers, pogo-tampers, concrete saws, compressor blowers, vacuum hoses, and air lances during daily field operations.
• Carry out heavy physical labor, including digging, lifting, and working on various construction and survey sites in outdoor environments.
• Perform daily basic maintenance and pre/post-operation checks on all assigned equipment and tools to ensure safe and reliable operation.
• Support survey and SUE crews in the field by assisting with general labor tasks related to subsurface utility engineering and utility locating.
• Follow established safety procedures and best practices when working around underground utilities and construction environments.
• Travel with field crews to out-of-town job sites as needed, typically Monday through Friday, and stay overnight when required.
• Report to the office each morning, travel with the crew to job sites, and complete assigned work within scheduled hours, including required overtime.

Essential Skills

• At least 2 years of experience working as a SUE Technician I or in a closely related field role involving underground utility locating, construction, or excavation.
• Hands-on experience operating a vacuum truck (Vac Truck) in a field or construction environment.
• Experience performing heavy physical labor, including digging, lifting, and working with construction tools and equipment.
• Ability to work outdoors for extended periods in extreme heat and varying weather conditions.
• Familiarity with utility locating equipment and subsurface utility engineering practices.
• Valid driver’s license with the ability to pass a motor vehicle record (MVR) check.
• Willingness and availability to travel out of town, typically up to one week at a time, at most every other month.
• Reliability in reporting on time to the office and working full field days, including overtime when required.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with ground-penetrating radar (GPR) for locating underground utilities.
• Experience in general labor, construction, excavation, or survey work.
• Knowledge of subsurface utility engineering (SUE) processes and best practices.
• Comfort working in small field crews and collaborating closely with survey and SUE professionals.
• Interest in long-term career growth within the surveying and SUE field, especially for candidates seeking to progress from an entry-level or junior technician role.

Work Environment

The role operates within 2–3 person field crews based out of a Florida office, working primarily outdoors in extreme heat and varied weather conditions. The workday typically starts by reporting to the office at 6:00 a.m., then traveling in a crew truck to job sites and working on-site until approximately 4:00–5:00 p.m., with overtime required and paid at 1.5x. The position involves frequent use of vacuum trucks, ground-penetrating radar, utility locating equipment, and construction tools such as jackhammers, pogo-tampers, concrete saws, compressor blowers, vacuum hoses, and air lances. Travel is a regular part of the job, with out-of-town assignments that may require overnight stays Monday through Thursday and return on Friday; lodging and per diem are provided, and job sites can extend within a broad regional radius. The organization emphasizes job stability, a strong backlog of work, use of cutting-edge technology, and a family-oriented culture where employees are valued as individuals, offered performance-based raises, and provided a comprehensive benefits package upon permanent hire.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Tampa, FL.

The pay range for this position is $21.00 - $22.00/hr.

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)

This is a fully onsite position in Tampa,FL.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 22, 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.