Substation Design Engineer | Get out from behind CAD and into the yard

Great substation design starts with knowing what's actually in the field - not just what's on the drawings.

If you enjoy solving the puzzle between engineering documents and real-world installations, this role gives you the opportunity to combine design work with hands‑on field investigations across a large utility substation program in California.

You spend several weeks reviewing engineering packages before heading into the field to verify existing substations. Your work will help ensure future capital improvement projects are built on accurate, reliable engineering documentation.

• Review physical design packages for existing utility substations.
• Evaluate equipment layouts, grounding systems, conduit, raceways, cable routing, structural arrangements, and control buildings.
• Review Bills of Material, installation drawings, and equipment schedules.
• Identify discrepancies between engineering documents and installed conditions.
• Perform field investigations at operating substations throughout Northern and Central California.
• Document findings with measurements, photographs, redlines, and engineering markups.
• Coordinate with engineering teams to support future design packages and system upgrades.

This contract opportunity runs through the end of 2026 and pays $75–85/hour. You'll work on a large utility engineering program that blends office-based design reviews with recurring field investigations, giving you the chance to stay connected to both engineering and execution instead of spending every day behind a computer.

You have at least five years of utility substation physical design experience and understand how transmission and distribution substations are put together. You're comfortable reviewing general arrangements, equipment layouts, grounding plans, conduit and raceway drawings, cable routing, and structural details. More importantly, you enjoy finding the details that others overlook and producing documentation engineers can trust.

Per Sé Group connects experienced engineering and technical professionals with some of the most complex industrial, power, and infrastructure projects across North America. We focus on building long‑term relationships and introducing talented people to opportunities that help move their careers forward.

Per Sé Group is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, color, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability, genetic information, protected veteran status, or any other status protected by applicable law. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process may contact Human Resources at  or .