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Underground Contractor Jobs in Michigan (NOW HIRING)

Agri-Valley Communications, Inc.

Locator Technician

Pigeon, MI · On-site

$17.50 - $24/hr

Do you have experience locating underground utilities while seeking for an opportunity with one of ... Maintains daily contact with utility managers, team leaders, homeowners, and contractors discussing ...

GridHawk LLC

Lead Locate Technician

Livonia, MI · On-site

$41K - $53K/yr

Lead Locate Technician is responsible for accurately locating underground facilities including, but ... Oversee daily scheduling of contractors and sub-contractors Route tickets to ensure optimized ...

GridHawk

Lead Locate Technician

Livonia, MI · On-site

$41K - $53K/yr

Lead Locate Technician is responsible for accurately locating underground facilities including, but ... Oversee daily scheduling of contractors and sub-contractors Route tickets to ensure optimized ...

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Underground Contractor information

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an underground contractor?

To thrive as an Underground Contractor, you need strong knowledge of excavation, utility installation, and safety regulations, often supported by relevant licenses or certifications in construction or heavy equipment operation. Familiarity with tools such as trenchers, backhoes, pipe lasers, and project management software is essential. Problem-solving, teamwork, and effective communication are important soft skills for coordinating crews and managing unexpected site challenges. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring projects are completed safely, efficiently, and in compliance with industry standards.

What is an underground contractor?

Underground contractors are specialized construction professionals who install, repair, and maintain infrastructure systems below ground level. This includes utilities such as water and sewer lines, storm drains, electrical conduits, and telecommunications cables. They are responsible for tasks like trenching, pipe laying, and ensuring projects comply with safety and regulatory standards. Underground contractors often work with municipalities, utility companies, and private developers to ensure essential services are safely and efficiently delivered to homes and businesses.

What are some common challenges faced by underground contractors on construction projects?

Underground contractors often encounter challenges such as unexpected subsurface conditions, utility conflicts, and coordinating with other trades working above ground. Managing groundwater, ensuring worker safety in confined spaces, and maintaining project timelines despite weather or permitting delays are also typical hurdles. Effective communication with project managers, engineers, and municipal inspectors is crucial to address these issues quickly and keep the project on track.

What is the difference between Underground Contractor vs Excavation Worker?

AspectUnderground ContractorExcavation Worker
CredentialsOSHA certifications, specialized underground work licensesOSHA certifications, basic excavation safety training
Work EnvironmentUnderground construction sites, tunnels, utility installationsOpen trenches, surface excavation sites
Employer & Industry UsageConstruction, utility, infrastructure projectsConstruction, landscaping, infrastructure projects

Underground Contractors focus on planning, managing, and executing underground projects, often requiring specialized licenses and safety protocols. Excavation Workers perform the physical digging and site preparation, typically with less specialized licensing. Both roles are essential in construction projects but differ mainly in scope and responsibilities.

What are popular job titles related to Underground Contractor jobs in Michigan? For Underground Contractor jobs in Michigan, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Underground Contractor jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Underground Contractor jobs in Michigan are:
What cities in Michigan are hiring for Underground Contractor jobs? Cities in Michigan with the most Underground Contractor job openings:
Underground Contractor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Underground Contractor job openings in Michigan as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 71% Full Time, 10% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 18% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 2% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution.

Make Ready Designer

Metro Engineering Solutions LLC

Northville, MI • On-site

$25 - $40/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 29 days ago

Job description

Description

JOB SUMMARY: Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC ("MES") is seeking a Make Ready Engineer to join our team. MES is a leading utility and telecommunications engineering firm serving clients throughout the Midwest. This position will play a key role in ensuring our clients power distribution systems comply with NESC regulations while designing and preparing utility infrastructure for upgrades or new installations. This candidate will also use industry-leading software to load poles in Pole Foreman, draft CAD design prints review designs for NESC compliance.


DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Understand overhead distribution and specifications of our client's needs to develop the appropriate design solutions.
  • Pole Loading & Analysis: Load and review poles in Pole Foreman, ensuring all required data is correctly entered to support design and construction of overhead and underground distribution systems
  • Design & Drafting: Develop detailed design prints using CAD software to represent overhead and underground low voltage distribution systems. Ensure designs meet client specifications and regulatory standards.
  • NESC Compliance: Review locations for NESC violations and propose corrective actions, ensuring that all projects meet safety standards and regulatory requirements.
  • Collaborative Work: Collaborate with internal teams, contractors, and clients to ensure designs meet project needs and deadlines. Provide technical guidance on new and upgraded service requirements.
  • Document Preparation & Reporting: Prepare documents for proposed applicants, to include overhead and underground prints and associated tasks for construction.
  • Other Duties: Support the project manager and team with any other duties related to utility design, construction, and various compliances
  • Other duties as assigned by Project Manager.


WORK ENVIRONMENT AND PHYSICAL DEMANDS:

  • Interpret sketches, drawings, building program and other similar material.
  • Primarily work in an office setting.
  • Ability to interpret telecommunication application information.
  • Ability to travel and/or work in the field as needed.

COMPENSATION AND BENEFITS:

  • Compensation ranges between $25.00 to $40.00 per hour, depending on experience.
  • The medical benefits package that includes medical & prescription coverage, dental, and vision plans for employees and their qualifying family members (eligible after 90 days employment), which is 100% covered by the employer.
  • Retirement benefits include a 401(k) plan with up to 4% employer match (eligible after 6 months of employment), which is 100% fully vested on day one.
  • Group term life insurance and long-term disability offered to eligible employees.
  • Additional voluntary benefits (Accident, Critical Illness, Short-Term Disability, HFSA and DCA, Life and AD&D) offered to eligible employees.
  • Holiday pay as well as PTO available after 120 days of employment. Additional PTO vesting over time.
  • Employee Assistance Program including counseling, coaching and financial resources.

Metro Engineering Solutions, LLC is an equal opportunity employer, committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace.


Requirements

QUALIFICATIONS:

  • High School diploma or equivalent with completion of courses in drafting/CAD, electricity, mathematics, or related technical fields.
  • Bachelor's degree in a STEM or design-related field preferred.
  • Knowledge of utility infrastructure, including pole installation, clearances, transformers, and distribution lines.
  • Experience in Make-Ready Engineering or Utility Design, with an emphasis on overhead/underground power distribution systems highly preferred.
  • Familiarity with pole loading software (PoleForeman, PLS-CADD, O-Calc) for pole analysis and design highly preferred.
  • Proficiency in Bentley OMS (MicroStation) or other similar CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD, Civil3D) preferred.
  • Familiarity with NESC standards and the ability to identify and correct violations in utility designs.
  • Experience with ESRI, ArcGIS, and other mapping tools is a plus.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively with clients, contractors, and internal teams.
  • Desire to learn new skills and develop proficiency in distribution design.

Apply