Lead Substation Engineer - Physical

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Lead Physical Engineer to join our Renewables Substation team. The primary functions of this role are to lead the substation Physical engineering and design efforts for large scale, transmission-interconnected renewable energy projects and provide leadership and mentorship to a Physical design team.

About the role

As part of the broader multi-discipline Substation Team, the Lead Physical Engineer will work with the Substation Project Engineer and other discipline leads to ensure design documents are coordinated and consistent between the P&C and Civil/Structural teams. This position is classified as in-office, full time.

Preferred office locations: Austin, TX; Houston, TX; Madison, WI; Raleigh, NC; Charlotte, NC; Westminster, CO.

Westwood promotes policies which allow for flexible working conditions, including the ability to work from home as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead the design and engineering of 35kV to 500kV physical substation layouts, ensuring optimal equipment placement, grounding, and structural integrity including development of:
  • General Arrangements
  • Plan Views and Elevation Views
  • Grounding Plans
  • Cable Trough/Conduit Plans
  • Specifications for Major Primary Equipment (transformers, breakers, switches, etc.)
  • Documentation for Design Calculations
  • Bill of Materials
  • Construction Documentation (Sequence and RFP)
• Conduct studies in:
  • Grounding
  • Lightning
  • Illumination
  • Bus Fault Stress Analysis
  • Insulation Coordination
• Lead a Physical team of three to five engineers and/or designers by providing mentorship, support, performance planning, monthly one-on-one meetings, and expense and timesheet review and approval.
• Provide technical support in procurement, vendor drawing review, and construction.
• Coordinate efforts with other external and internal project team members, including transmission line engineers, distribution line engineers, and telecom engineers.
• Follow department processes and procedures while maintaining a strong customer focus.
• Provide clear and honest feedback to project teams, external stakeholders, and clients.
• Develop approaches to accommodate unique client requests and advise management on maximizing ROI for the team.
• Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, managing timelines and resources to ensure successful project delivery.
• Prepare and review engineering calculations, detailed drawings, specifications, and reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
• Ensure all designs meet relevant codes, standards, and regulations, including NESC, IEEE, and local utility requirements.
• Implement quality control processes to review designs and deliverables, ensuring high standards of engineering excellence including cross-discipline checks with other substation/service leads.
• Mentor and provide guidance to junior engineers and technical staff, fostering a culture of learning and professional growth.
• Participate in project meetings, presenting design concepts and updates to clients and stakeholders, and addressing any concerns or feedback.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices, and contribute to the development of innovative engineering solutions.
• Occasional (minimal) travel to project sites and/or client offices for meetings may be required (10% or less).

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from a recognized accredited program.
• Minimum of 7-9 years of work experience in substation design and engineering.
• Strong understanding of electrical systems and substation layouts, grounding, lightning protection, illumination, and clearances.
• PE License.
• Strong written and verbal communications skills.
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Familiarity with industry standards and codes: ANSI, IEEE, NEC, NESC, NERC, etc.
• General knowledge of the industry and technology trends specific to substations.
• Proficiency in assessing mechanical forces and thermal effects of high fault currents on rigid bus.
• Familiarity with Substation major equipment and the specifications thereof:
  • HV and MV Circuit Breakers
  • Power Transformers
  • Instrument Transformers
  • Disconnect Switches
  • Bus Work
  • Surge Arresters
  • Steel
  • Foundations
  • Capacitor Banks
  • Reactors

Preferred Qualifications

• Previous experience in a consultancy environment.
• Previous experience with large scale renewable energy projects.
• General knowledge of substation construction practices.
• Familiarity with 3D design packages and software.
• Proficiency in engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation, CDEGS, WinIGS, AGI).
• Previous project and/or discipline team leadership.
• Previous experience as a direct supervisor.

About Westwood Professional Services, Inc.

At Westwood, our purpose is to create a better world for people through our work. We transform the energy grid, design resilient infrastructure, and develop communities that will flourish today and for future generations. With over 50 years of experience and a legacy of innovation, we stand at the forefront of our industry, dedicated to understanding the unique needs of the markets we serve.

Our approach revolves around people. We are committed to building a culture that attracts, retains, and develops high performers. Our team values relationships, innovation, dedication, initiative, and growth. We believe fostering a collaborative “One Team” mentality yields superior outcomes in everything we do. We customize our technical capabilities and geographic reach to meet our clients where they are and help them realize their vision. We are partners in our clients’ success, driving to provide solutions that make a lasting difference.

Safety, sustainability, and operational excellence are not just facets of our work; they are intrinsic to our identity, guiding every decision we make. We are deeply invested in the communities we serve. Through our projects and giving-back initiatives, we enrich the lives of those we serve, engage others within our industry, and create a lasting impact on communities around the world. To us, success transcends the completion of projects; it is reflected in the lives we have positively impacted by our work.

In 2025, Westwood was recognized as #77 on the ENR Top 500 Design Firms. Additionally, Westwood was ranked #5 for ENR's Top Design Firm for Solar, #6 for Battery Storage, and #3 for Wind (2025). The firm consistently ranks on the industry's top 25 lists and receives recognition for its involvement in award-winning projects nationwide.