Substation Engineer
This role provides substation engineering and consulting services for utility and energy clients across the United States and internationally. Primary responsibilities include the development of electrical protection and control systems and/or physical substation layout designs. Projects vary widely in size, voltage class, and complexity-ranging from small distribution facility upgrades to large‑scale transmission installations. The position plays a key role in shaping the resiliency, reliability, and economic performance of the electric power grid.
The engineer will be responsible for the design of high‑voltage electrical substations (approximately 13 kV to 500 kV). Core responsibilities include leading and executing the following activities:
Key Responsibilities
- Develop project proposals, scopes of work, conceptual designs, and execution strategies
- Prepare engineering cost estimates, labor forecasts, and project schedules
- Perform physical substation design, including:
- Yard layouts, plans, sections, and details
- Grounding and lightning protection systems
- Control building configurations
- Interior and exterior raceway systems
- Auxiliary AC/DC power systems
- Bills of material and associated documentation
- Execute protection and control design, including:
- Panel layouts
- One‑line/single‑line and three‑line diagrams
- AC schematics and DC elementary diagrams
- Equipment wiring and relay panel wiring
- Prepare engineering calculations and technical reports (e.g., grounding, lightning protection, AC/DC load studies)
- Develop equipment specifications for procurement and factory acceptance testing
- Coordinate design efforts with internal and external teams, including civil/structural, transmission line, network, and other engineering disciplines
- Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers
- Participate in regular meetings and correspondence with clients, contractors, and external stakeholders
- Perform quality reviews of engineering deliverables prepared by others
- Provide short‑term field or construction support as needed
- Support business development, client engagement, and marketing initiatives
- Contribute to additional technical areas such as relay settings, 3D or intelligent design platforms, or industry and professional committees, as applicable
- Perform other duties as required
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field from an ABET‑accredited program with a minimum of three (3) years of electrical engineering experience; consulting experience preferred
OR - Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology or a related field from an ABET‑accredited program, successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam, and at least three (3) years of relevant experience; consulting preferred
OR - Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with a minimum of two (2) years of electrical engineering experience; consulting preferred
Required Skills and Competencies
- Strong understanding of standard engineering principles, techniques, and procedures
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Proven ability to work analytically and methodically in a quantitative, problem‑solving environment
- Demonstrated critical thinking and attention to detail
- Strong organizational, collaboration, facilitation, and team‑building skills
- Proficiency with standard business and engineering software, including Microsoft Office
- Experience with design and drafting tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, 2D/3D modeling and rendering software, and related analysis programs
- Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) certification preferred
FAQs
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