Lead Substation Project Engineer

About the role

This opportunity provides high-level technical assistance and guidance for multi-site and multi-phase electrical utility substation projects, supporting planning, detailed engineering design, procurement support, construction support, and commissioning coordination in the public and private sector.

Responsibilities

• Research, design, concept development, planning, and delivery of transmission and distribution substations, power regulation equipment, renewable energy interconnections, and coordination with protection and control systems across utility environments.
• Substantiate reports and documentation to advise on equipment selection, design criteria, installation requirements, and construction standards.
• Ensure responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, constructability, and system reliability.
• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data related to physical site conditions, engineering drawings, GIS data, substation equipment specifications, procurement package development, pricing, IFR/IFC detailed design and review processes, and applicable IEEE, NESC, ANSI, NERC, and utility standards.
• Career Development: Coordinate, review, and approve substation electrical design packages for small-to mid-scale and less-complex projects, ensuring technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable codes, standards, and client requirements.
• Apply advanced electrical engineering principles across project phases including concept development, preliminary design, detailed design, procurement support, construction support, and commissioning coordination.
• Perform professional electrical engineering work associated with substation physical and/or protection and control (P&C) design, including one-line and three-line diagrams, wiring and interconnection diagrams, general arrangements, substation layouts, bus configurations, grounding grid design, and lightning protection systems.
• Plan and incorporate utility-driven design strategies, including equipment sizing, AC/DC systems, control panel layouts, cabling, raceway (conduit and cable tray) systems, and trenching designs that account for operational safety, reliability, and maintenance requirements.
• Review electrical calculations including load flow, short circuit, grounding (touch and step potential), equipment sizing, insulation coordination, and protective device coordination, and provide technical oversight for substation switchyard layouts and equipment interfaces.
• Develop and review plans, specifications, cost estimates, and constructability sequencing considerations, coordinating with owners, clients, contractors, and internal multi-disciplinary teams.
• Prepare technical data and documentation including calculations, reports, sketches, schedules, and presentations that communicate design intent, engineering decisions, and recommendations to internal and external stakeholders.
• Support field visits and site walkdowns to verify design assumptions, address constructability issues, and resolve technical questions during project execution.
• Interact with utility clients, contractors, vendors, and project stakeholders in a professional manner.
• Collaborate with engineers and other disciplines on utility substation projects, including technical support for proposal development and business development efforts.
• Remain current in electrical engineering and substation design practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post-education experience as an electrical engineer delivering substation engineering design deliverables for capital power transmission and distribution projects, with progressive responsibility including technical task or design package leadership.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, and processes as applied to utility substation design and construction support, including compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Extensive knowledge of transmission and distribution substation systems, including equipment selection and physical design considerations.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of adjacent disciplines including protection & control (P&C), SCADA, and telecommunications interfaces.
• Experience supporting substation planning, detailed design, and construction support activities across new-build, expansion, and rehabilitation projects.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable electrical codes, industry standards, and utility design requirements.
• Strong technical computation and analysis skills, including interpretation of drawings, specifications, and engineering calculations.
• Able to support field visits and site walkdowns to validate design assumptions and support constructability reviews.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to convey technical concepts to both engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Demonstrated self-leadership, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• Proficient with discipline-specific design and analysis software and tools commonly used for substation engineering (e.g., AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, Inventor, or similar platforms).
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Experience coordinating with subcontractors, vendors, and project stakeholders to deliver work safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post-education experience as an electrical engineer delivering substation engineering design deliverables for capital power transmission and distribution projects, with progressive responsibility including technical task or design package leadership.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without the need for employer sponsorship now or in the future.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, and processes as applied to utility substation design and construction support, including compliance with applicable codes and standards.
• Extensive knowledge of transmission and distribution substation systems, including equipment selection and physical design considerations.
• Demonstrates comprehensive knowledge of adjacent disciplines including protection & control (P&C), SCADA, and telecommunications interfaces.
• Experience supporting substation planning, detailed design, and construction support activities across new-build, expansion, and rehabilitation projects.
• Thorough knowledge of applicable electrical codes, industry standards, and utility design requirements.
• Strong technical computation and analysis skills, including interpretation of drawings, specifications, and engineering calculations.
• Able to support field visits and site walkdowns to validate design assumptions and support constructability reviews.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to convey technical concepts to both engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Demonstrated self-leadership, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment.
• Proficient with discipline-specific design and analysis software and tools commonly used for substation engineering (e.g., AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, Inventor, or similar platforms).
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop practical, cost-effective engineering solutions.
• Experience coordinating with subcontractors, vendors, and project stakeholders to deliver work safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Skills

• Electrical Engineering Principles
• Substation Design and Construction Support
• Utility Substation Projects
• Technical Documentation and Reporting
• Field Visits and Site Walkdowns
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills
• Project Management and Coordination
• Software Proficiency (AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, etc.)
• Problem-Solving and Critical Thinking

Benefits

WSP USA offers a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings plans to provide health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. Additionally, WSP USA provides a flexible and agile workplace model, allowing employees to work independently while providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers.

Pay

Compensation is competitive and commensurate with experience.

Schedule

Flexible work schedules are available to accommodate project-specific requirements.

Contact Information

To apply, please visit our careers page at www.wsp.com/careers. No phone calls please.

Equal Opportunity Employer

WSP USA is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice to Third Party Agencies

We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.