Senior Substation P&C Engineer

WSP is seeking a Senior Substation P&C Engineer in the Northeast. Candidates may work from any mutually acceptable location in the Eastern Time Zone. This role offers flexibility for office-based, hybrid, or remote work arrangements.

About the Role

This position provides technical assistance and engineering guidance for multi-site and multi-phase substation projects, including due diligence, investigation, impact assessment, permitting support, design, development, and construction activities for utility-scale facilities in the public and private sectors. Responsibilities include:

• Research, design, concept development, and construction of new, upgraded, and retrofit substations with emphasis on protection and control engineering (protective relaying, control house and panel design, substation automation/SCADA interfaces, communications, and commissioning support).
• Preparation and substantiation of engineering reports, calculations, and documentation related to materials, installations, components, and construction specifications.
• Ensuring deliverables meet or exceed applicable industry standards for substation design, safety, and functionality.

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management, expanded through the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. and TRC Companies, deepening our power practice and energy advisory services.

Responsibilities

• Determine methods for collecting, compiling, and analyzing data related to protection and control requirements, substation equipment specifications, procurement packages, IFR/IFC design reviews, and applicable IEEE, NESC, and NERC standards.
• Review and provide technical input on third-party substation design documents, protection and control deliverables, procurement lists, and project plans.
• Perform complex electrical engineering work, including design of protection and control one-line and three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, elementary diagrams, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, termination drawings, and panel layouts in conformance with standards and permits.
• Incorporate future-ready techniques into protective relaying philosophies, substation automation architectures, communications systems, AC/DC systems, control panel layouts, and wiring/termination strategies, accounting for safety, constructability, and long-term operation.
• Support senior engineers with research, evaluation, and recommendations for protective relays, meters, RTUs/BCUs, telecommunications equipment, and control house/panel components.
• Verify site characteristics and provide technical input on engineering, design, testing, maintenance modifications, constructability, and construction sequencing, with emphasis on panel installation, wiring, cutovers, and outage coordination.
• Develop engineering calculations and deliverables, including DC load, battery and charger sizing, AC station service loading, CT/VT sizing, protective device coordination, relay logic/settings, and substation automation integration requirements.
• Develop plans, specifications, cost estimates, construction safety/phasing plans, and electrical infrastructure layouts in coordination with owners, disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients (including SCADA points lists and commissioning scope).
• Work independently or as part of a cross-functional team on multiple concurrent substation projects, assisting with protection and control design packages, material takeoffs, cost estimates, and compliance with specifications and permits.
• Prepare technical data and visualizations (tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, illustrations) to support engineering analysis and design decisions, including fault event reviews and sequence of events interpretations.
• Provide guidance and training to entry-level engineers.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations communicating design approaches, findings, and recommendations related to substation engineering and construction activities.
• Assist in analyzing and interpreting field investigation data to develop action plans for risk mitigation (e.g., protection misoperations, wiring issues, commissioning punchlists).
• Prepare and implement site-specific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Comply with regulatory requirements for data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring, and record retention, including substation cyber/physical security interfaces.
• Interact professionally with clients, utilities, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
• Stay current with latest substation engineering techniques, tools, and industry practices (protective relaying, substation automation, communications).
• Collaborate with engineers and planners on substation projects supporting federally, state, regionally, and locally funded infrastructure improvements.
• Adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 5 to 7 years of relevant post-education experience as an electrical engineer providing protection and control or electrical design deliverables for large capital projects, preferably involving substations or utility-scale electrical infrastructure.
• Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification.
• Proficient knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, and design/build applications for substation projects, with emphasis on protection and control engineering.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including rehabilitation and new design projects (protection and control design packages, construction/commissioning support).
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Ability to perform technical computations and calculations involving electrical engineering principles, interpret plans/specifications, and evaluate compliance with regulations (AC/DC systems, station service, protection/control interfaces).
• Project management experience supporting small- to mid-level projects, including tracking hours and expenses.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections/investigations related to facility construction and design, including protection and control installation, wiring, and testing support.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills for engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Demonstrated self-leadership, attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization skills in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently while providing technical guidance and QA/QC oversight to junior team members.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, and discipline-specific design tools (AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, spreadsheets, engineering tools).
• Strong critical thinking and problem-solving skills to develop effective, economical, and logical engineering solutions, including troubleshooting protection and control design/field issues.
• Ability to direct field personnel and subcontractors to ensure safe and efficient work completion.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, and drug/alcohol/harassment policies.
• Ability to work extended schedules as required by project-specific needs.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project needs.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) License.

Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on health and financial stability, including:

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage.
• Retirement savings plans.
• Paid sick leave, vacation/personal time, and parental leave.
• Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and naturalization proceedings.

Pay

Expected salary range (all locations): $90,600 - $150,110. Compensation is based on education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and internal equity.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, a global engineering and professional services firm. We design lasting solutions in buildings, transportation, energy, water, and environment markets. With over 15,000 employees in 300+ U.S. offices, we partner with clients to help communities prosper. WSP offers a flexible and agile workplace model alongside comprehensive benefits.