Substation Physical Designer

About Ampirical At Ampirical, we’re shaping the future of the power grid with precision, innovation, and purpose. Just as the ampere is the foundation of electric current, Ampirical is a core force driving the energy sector forward. We focus on quality, forward-thinking solutions, and empowering our team to grow and thrive. We don’t just build projects—we build careers. If you’re looking for a place where your contributions matter and your professional development is supported every step of the way, we’d love to meet you. Watch this video to get a glimpse into our culture. Watch this video to get a glimpse into our culture. Why Ampirical? 💰 Hourly Rate Designer I 0+ years of experience$28.92 - $38.46/hour ($60,144 - $80,001 annualized) - Commensurate (dependent on experience, education, and qualifications) Designer II 2+ years of relevant experience$30.65 - $40.77/hour ($63,752 - $84,801 annualized) - Commensurate (dependent on experience, education, and qualifications) Designer III 4+ years of relevant experience$31.97 - $43.48/hour ($66,497 - $90,429 annualized) - Commensurate (dependent on experience, education, and qualifications) 📈 Profit-Sharing Bonus: Semi-annual, performance-based (10% to 20% of salary) 🩺 Day-One Benefits: Medical, Dental, Vision 💼 401(k): 4% match with immediate vesting 🏖️ PTO: Starting at 80 hours of vacation and 40 hours of sick time per year + 10 paid holidays 🗓️ Flexible Work Schedule: Every other Friday off 📚 Career Development: Advancement opportunities and tuition reimbursement 🧘 Perks: Gym membership stipend, wellness program, fertility benefits, pet insurance, and more Your Role: Substation Physical Designer I, II, or III This onsite position in our Duluth, GA office supports Ampirical’s Substation – Physical team and the development of physical design packages for substations ranging from 12kV to 500kV. We are considering candidates at the Designer I, Designer II, and Designer III levels, with priority given to Designer II and Designer III candidates. Prior substation or utility experience is valuable, but it is not required to be considered. Candidates with transferable design experience in mechanical, steel/industrial, utility, substation, or other related technical environments are encouraged to apply. Experience working in both 2D and 3D design environments is preferred, particularly 3D design/modeling experience. Candidates with strong 2D design experience will also be considered. Occasional field visits and site walkdowns are required, with limited overnight travel possible. What You’ll Do Develop and interpret substation layouts and physical design drawingsSupport the creation of Issued for Review (IFR), Issued for Approval (IFA), and Issued for Construction (IFC) design packagesInterpret single-line and three-line diagrams to develop physical layoutsProduce general arrangements, elevations, section views, foundation layouts, grounding layouts, conduit layouts, and bills of materialApply electrical, working, road, maintenance, and construction clearance requirements to substation designsApply knowledge of grounding, shielding, and lighting principlesConsider the constructability of transmission lines, transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and other substation equipmentUse AutoCAD and related engineering/design softwareApply or develop skills using 3D CAD/modeling tools such as Inventor, SolidWorks, CATIA, P4A, or similar platformsReview and incorporate vendor drawings and equipment information into design deliverablesFollow governing codes and standards including NESC, NEC, and IEEESupport project schedules, budgets, quality-control processes, and client-specific design standardsParticipate in field support, pre-scoping activities, site visits, and documentation as neededCollaborate with clients, vendors, engineers, and other members of the project team The scope and independence of the work increases with level. Designer I performs lower-complexity work with significant guidance, Designer II handles intermediate-complexity work with moderate oversight, and Designer III handles medium-complexity work with low oversight and provides peer checking of lower-level work. What You Bring 🎓 Education Designer I Associate Degree in Drafting, CAD, Engineering Design Technology, or a related technical field ORBachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related technical fieldEither degree path is acceptable0+ years of experience required Designer II Associate Degree in Drafting, CAD, Engineering Design Technology, or a related technical field ORBachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related technical field2+ years of relevant technical design experienceIn lieu of degree: 2+ additional years of relevant experience may substitute for the degree Designer III Associate Degree in Drafting, CAD, Engineering Design Technology, or a related technical field ORBachelor’s Degree in Engineering Technology, Construction Management, or a related technical field4+ years of relevant technical design experienceIn lieu of degree: 2+ additional years of relevant experience may substitute for the degree 📊 Experience Designer I Entry-level; no prior professional experience requiredFoundational understanding of CAD, drafting, engineering design, or related technical design principlesPrior substation or utility experience is not requiredExposure to utility, substation, mechanical, steel/industrial, or similar technical design environments is beneficialAbility and willingness to develop substation-specific technical skills under close supervisionStrong critical-thinking and problem-solving skillsExposure to or experience with 2D design preferred; 3D design/modeling experience is a plus Designer II 2+ years of relevant technical design experienceExperience in substation physical design or utilities is beneficial but not requiredTransferable experience in mechanical, steel/industrial, or related technical design environments will also be consideredExperience working in 2D design environments3D design/modeling experience preferredAbility to create and interpret technical layouts and contribute to design packagesBasic to intermediate knowledge of substation configurations, layouts, clearances, grounding, shielding, and lighting, or the ability to develop this knowledgeAbility to provide peer checks for lower-level designers as appropriate Designer III 4+ years of relevant technical design experienceExperience in substation physical design or utilities is beneficial but not requiredStrong transferable design experience in mechanical, steel/industrial, or related technical environments may also qualifyStrong experience working in 2D design environments3D design/modeling experience preferredAbility to work with greater independence and apply technical standardsIntermediate knowledge of substation configurations, layouts, clearances, grounding, shielding, and lighting, or the ability to apply transferable technical design knowledgeAbility to peer check lower-level work, support QC activities, develop simple scopes of work, and provide technical presentations 💡 Skills AutoCAD 2D and/or 3DExperience with transferable 3D CAD/modeling tools such as SolidWorks, Inventor, CATIA, P4A, or similar softwareP4A experience is a plus, but not requiredInventor experience is a plus, but not requiredMicrosoft Office SuiteBluebeam RevuUnderstanding of NESC, NEC, and IEEE standards appropriate to position levelStrong attention to detail and ability to produce accurate design documentationStrong communication, organization, collaboration, critical-thinking, and problem-solving skillsOSHA 10 or equivalent site safety training preferred, or willingness to obtain prior to field assignments Ampirical is an Equal Opportunity Employer, meaning we do not discriminate based on the following characteristics in our hiring and employment practices: Age, sex, color, race, creed, national origin, religion or religious attire, marital status, pregnancy (child birth or related medical conditions), citizenship status or amnesty, ancestry, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, transgender status, physical or mental disability, military or veteran status, genetic information, sickle-cell trait, status as a tobacco user or non-user, or any other classification protected by federal, state, or local law.