Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation)

Role

Lead the design of medium- and high-voltage electrical substations for utility, municipal, and industrial clients. Serve in responsible charge for project deliverables, coordinate multidisciplinary teams, and ensure designs meet client requirements, regulatory standards, and SSOE quality benchmarks.

Key Responsibilities

• Interpret, organize, execute, and coordinate large substation engineering assignments with responsibility for budget, schedule, quality, and inter-discipline coordination.
• Plan and develop engineering projects involving unique or complex substation problems.
• Prepare substation layouts, one-line and three-line diagrams, schematics, and technical specifications.
• Coordinate designs for steel structures, foundations, grounding grids, buswork, raceway, and conduit systems.
• Specify and select substation equipment (transformers, breakers, switchgear, relays, instrument transformers).
• Perform power system studies and analyses (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc-flash) to support design decisions.
• Provide design support during construction, respond to RFIs, and review/approve major materials, equipment, and field construction items.
• Stamp/seal drawings and documents per applicable jurisdictional statutes when serving as the professional in responsible charge.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and review work of engineers and designers; participate in mentoring and career development activities.
• Maintain liaison with internal and external stakeholders and act independently on technical matters within the substation discipline.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, NESC, and applicable utility standards and SSOE quality procedures.
• Implement safety protocols for high-voltage environments in design practices and during construction support.

Coordination

• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, authorities having jurisdiction (AHJs), and utility representatives to ensure design accuracy and constructability.
• Review vendor drawings and perform QA/QC on design deliverables; coordinate multi-discipline interfaces.

Innovation & Tools

• Integrate SCADA systems, networking, and protective relaying into substation designs and upgrades.
• Leverage industry AI Large Language Models and vibe-coding platforms as supported by the firm to improve productivity and workflows.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and sustainability practices applicable to substation engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program; PE license preferred. EIT required if PE not yet obtained.
• Twelve (12)+ years of related practical experience in substation design and engineering (experience may be considered in lieu of license at employer discretion).
• Demonstrated experience with substation physical layout design, bus configurations, electrical clearances, grounding, and yard layout for MV/HV substations.
• Proven experience with Protection & Control (P&C) systems, protective relaying, control schematics, relay protection schemes, and SCADA integration.
• Knowledge of HV (>115 kV)/MV substations, LV plant power distribution interfaces, on-site generation and UPS systems.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, ETAP or similar power system analysis software, and protection relay settings/configuration.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, communication, and teamwork skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience supporting projects from conceptual design through construction and commissioning is strongly preferred.

Travel & Licensing

• Travel required for site visits and commissioning activities.
• Valid driver’s license required (may be waived for international assignments).
• Maintain continuing professional education as required by registered states.

Compensation & Benefits

• Salary: $130,000 – $170,000 per year (depending on location, education, experience, certifications).
• Eligibility for annual target bonus/incentive program.
• Employee ownership opportunities and ability to purchase company shares.
• Health, dental, and vision insurance; life insurance; 401(k) with company match.
• Professional development and training, generous PTO, and paid holidays.
• Flexible working arrangements, mentorship, and structured career advancement opportunities.