Substation Designer

Substation Designer

The Substation Physical Designer is responsible for developing detailed 2D and 3D design drawings for electrical transmission and distribution substations while supporting organizational design standards, engineering criteria, and standardization initiatives. This role produces engineering design packages, material specifications, and construction documentation with a strong focus on safety, quality, schedule adherence, constructability, and cost-effectiveness. The Designer collaborates closely with engineers, project managers, construction teams, field personnel, manufacturers, and vendors to support the successful delivery of substation projects ranging from upgrades and expansions to new greenfield installations.

This position requires a strong understanding of substation equipment, physical design principles, utility industry standards, and drafting/modeling software. Periodic field visits and coordination with construction and operations personnel are required throughout project execution.

• Develop and maintain detailed 2D engineering drawings and 3D models for transmission and distribution electrical substations.
• Create and modify physical substation design packages from engineering one-line and three-line diagrams.
• Design substation layouts, foundation layouts, grounding layouts, conduit and cable trench layouts, control house and switch house layouts, bus structures, and electrical bus configurations.
• Ensure all designs comply with established engineering standards, utility requirements, and applicable industry codes.
• Utilize AutoCAD, Autodesk Map 3D, or similar design software to produce accurate engineering deliverables.
• Develop intelligent 3D models to support design reviews, construction planning, and clash detection.
• Maintain drawing revisions, updates, and documentation throughout project life cycles.
• Develop material lists and bills of material associated with substation projects.
• Specify and requisition stock materials, non-stock materials, shop-fabricated assemblies, and vendor-supplied equipment.
• Coordinate with procurement, suppliers, and manufacturers to resolve equipment and material-related issues.
• Review vendor drawings and equipment documentation for compliance with project requirements.
• Collaborate with engineers, construction personnel, project managers, maintenance organizations, operations groups, and field service teams.
• Support project schedules and engineering milestones through timely completion of design deliverables.
• Participate in design reviews and interdisciplinary coordination meetings.
• Prepare and transmit drawing packages, specifications, and supporting project documentation through established document management systems.
• Provide technical design support during all phases of project execution.
• Conduct occasional site walks and field investigations to verify existing conditions.
• Participate in pre-construction meetings, construction progress reviews, field issue resolution efforts, and post-construction inspections.
• Support construction teams by addressing design questions, document revisions, and field changes.
• Promote a culture of safety in all design and field activities.
• Ensure designs comply with National Electric Safety Code (NESC), National Electrical Code (NEC), OSHA regulations, company engineering standards, and industry best practices.
• Incorporate safe work practices and constructability considerations into all design packages.

• Proficiency in substation design, AutoCAD, and substation engineering.
• Knowledge of power delivery, engineering, physical design, substation equipment, electrical engineering, and power distribution.
• Experience with Inventor and Autodesk Map 3D.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Problem-solving and analytical thinking abilities.
• Ability to work independently while managing multiple priorities and competing deadlines.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills.
• Ability to build productive relationships across engineering, construction, operations, and business teams.
• Customer-focused mindset with a commitment to quality and service.
• Ability to mentor and train junior designers…