Lead Substation Project Engineer
About the role
The Lead Substation Project Engineer position is available in Boise, ID, with potential for remote or on-site work in Hailey, ID; Billings, MT; and Lakewood, CO. This role involves high-level technical assistance and guidance for multi-site and multi-phase substation projects, including design, development, and construction of utility-scale transmission and distribution infrastructure.
Responsibilities
- Provide high-level technical assistance and guidance for multi-site and multi-phase substation projects, including investigation, design, development, and construction of utility-scale transmission and distribution infrastructure.
- Research, engineering design, concept development, planning, and execution of medium- to extra-high-voltage substations, including power distribution, protection and control systems, grounding, and equipment integration.
- Support project execution, department initiatives, and client relationships while ensuring responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.
- Support the Area Lead/Department Manager in achieving department goals, maintaining high-quality standards, and strengthening client relationships.
- Manage relationships with alliance and key utility clients, including coordination, communication, and technical support.
- Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned substation projects.
- Perform QA/QC reviews for technical deliverables prior to client submission, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable standards.
- Apply advanced electrical engineering techniques across project phases including concept development, preliminary design, detailed design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
- Prepare supporting design documents such as sections and elevations, control enclosure details, cable and conduit plans, foundation and structural coordination details, yard lighting plans, and bills of materials.
- Review electrical studies and calculations including load flow, short circuit, grounding, protective device coordination, AC/DC systems, lightning analysis, and voltage drop.
- Contribute to and review substation equipment specifications and technical procurement documents, supporting equipment selection and vendor coordination.
- Provide technical leadership and oversight across multiple concurrent substation projects, ensuring consistency in quality, execution, and client expectations.
- Oversee and support engineers and designers through mentorship, technical review, and direction in support of project execution.
- Prepare technical reports, calculations, exhibits, and presentations to communicate design intent, findings, and recommendations to internal teams and clients.
- Interact with clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies in a professional and confident manner.
- Collaborate with internal teams on proposal pursuits, project execution strategies, and business development opportunities.
- Remain current with evolving substation design practices, technologies, and applicable codes and standards.
- Occasionally travel and site visits in support of project execution, construction activities, and client needs.
- 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.
Requirements
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
- 7 to 10 years of relevant post-education experience providing substation design deliverables for utility-scale transmission and distribution projects.
- Experience in medium- to high-voltage substation design (15kV through 230kV) and application of IEEE and ANSI standards.
- Demonstrated experience acting as the lead electrical engineer on multiple substation projects occurring concurrently.
- Well-defined knowledge of applicable electrical codes, standards, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
- Highly effective written and verbal communication skills when interacting with engineering and non-engineering audiences.
- Demonstrated self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization in a dynamic project environment.
- Proficiency with technical writing, office tools, and electrical design software such as AutoCAD Electrical, Inventor, or similar platforms.
- 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 independently with minimal oversight while providing technical leadership and guidance to junior team members with strict adherence to QA/QC.
Qualifications
- Master’s Degree in Engineering.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- 10+ years of substation design experience.
- Experience supporting or leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.
Skills
- Advanced electrical engineering techniques.
- Technical writing and office tools.
- Electrical design software such as AutoCAD Electrical, Inventor, or similar platforms.
- Collaboration and communication skills.
- Project management and leadership.
- Technical review and mentoring.
- QA/QC reviews.
- Client relationship management.
- Technical report preparation.
- Proposal development.
- Technical support and coordination.
Benefits
- Comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings.
- Paid sick leave, vacation, parental leave, and bereavement time off.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Compensation range of $110,700 - $164,450 in Colorado.
Pay
Expected Salary (Colorado only): $110,700 - $164,450
Schedule
This position offers an on-site, hybrid, or remote work arrangement, depending on candidate location, experience, and business needs.
Benefits
- Comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings.
- Paid sick leave, vacation, parental leave, and bereavement time off.
- Flexible work arrangements.
- Compensation range of $110,700 - $164,450 in Colorado.
About WSP
WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.
Notice to Third Party Agencies
We do not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, 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.