Substation Project Engineer

About the role

This opportunity WSP is seeking a Senior Substation Project Engineer for our Data Center Initiation Team in Phoenix, AZ. This role provides technical leadership for early-stage substation development and supports strategic decision-making for large-scale data center infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities

• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data relating to physical work site, blueprints, GIS data maps, substation components, equipment specifications for procurement package development and pricing, IFR/IRC detailed design and review processes, and IEEE, NESC, ANSI, NCEC, and NERC standards and regulations for design work.
• Cook up, review and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for smaller and less-complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Apply high-level electrical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Plan and incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design requirements with equipment sizing and cabling, AC/DC panel design, and conduit and trenching design strategies that account for the safety and functionality of end-users, systems, and infrastructure.
• Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short circuit study, protective device coordination, one-line diagram development, protective relaying, and substation switchyard layouts.
• Develop and review plans, specifications, and cost estimates, construction safety and phasing plans, and updating electrical infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, concepts, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design, and/or construction issues or opportunities.
• Maintain a high level of quality and responsiveness to client requirements in alignment with Pickett’s standards.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques and 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.
• 7+ years of substation design experience.
• Engineer license required.
• Some experience leading design packages or acting as technical lead.
• Advanced knowledge of substation systems, equipment, and design standards.
• Experience in either physical or P&C design (cross-discipline exposure preferred).
• Ability to independently execute and coordinate technical work.
• Strong communication, leadership, and coordination skills.
• Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior staff.
• Prominent ability to manage competing priorities.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Prominent 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

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Data center or large infrastructure project experience.