Substation Civil Site Designer

We are looking for a skilled and experienced Substation Civil Site Designer to work out of our Chicago office or remotely.

In this role, you will work alongside Civil engineers to develop site design drawing packages and supporting documentation for electric utility substation projects. Projects range from greenfield substations to brownfield expansions and require coordination with multiple engineering disciplines. (While substation experience is preferred, it is not required)

• Develop new and modify existing substation civil site plan drawings.
• Prepare grading, drainage, and stormwater management plans.
• Develop erosion and sediment control plans in accordance with local and state requirements.
• Prepare roadway, access drive, and site layout plans.
• Perform earthwork grading and cut/fill balancing using Civil 3D or Open Roads/Micro Station workflows.
• Perform AutoTURN analyses for construction and maintenance vehicle access.
• Prepare utility layouts including storm sewer, sanitary, and water service plans where required.
• Develop permit-ready civil drawing packages for utility and agency review.
• Assist with preparation of permitting exhibits and support environmental and jurisdictional permitting efforts.
• Coordinate with surveyors, geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, and substation electrical teams.
• Review civil-related vendor drawings and incorporate comments as required.
• Assist with quantity takeoffs and preparation of project deliverables.
• Apply applicable client standards, local agency requirements, and industry best practices to all assignments.

• Level 3:
  • Associate’s degree or technical diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Drafting Technology, or related field.
  • Minimum 2 years of civil site design experience using Micro Station.
• Level 4:
  • Associate’s degree or technical diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Drafting Technology, or related field.
  • Minimum 3 years of civil site design experience using Micro Station.
• Strong proficiency with Micro Station (required).
• Experience developing civil site plans for utility, industrial, commercial, or municipal projects.
• Working knowledge of grading design and earthwork calculations.
• Experience preparing erosion and sediment control plans.
• Familiarity with stormwater management principles and permitting requirements.
• Experience performing AutoTURN vehicle turning analyses.
• Understanding of site development permitting processes and agency coordination.
• Ability to interpret survey and geotechnical information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality deliverables.

• Experience supporting electric utility substation projects.
• Familiarity with utility client standards.
• Experience with HEC-RAS, Hydraflow, HydroCAD, or similar hydrology software.
• Knowledge of SWPPP preparation and stormwater permitting requirements.
• Experience coordinating local, county, and state permitting agencies.

At Leidos, we pride ourselves on being a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Our Power Delivery Services Team is the go‑to for utilities and mobile operators who need reliable power and telecommunication expertise. We've worked with over 50 investor‑owned utilities, over 160 municipals/cooperatives, and we're continuing to expand our reach. Plus, we've got an amazing group of industry‑leading construction partners who help us deliver meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions.

Our recognition as an industry leader has been confirmed time and time again. Engineering News-Record (ENR) has ranked Leidos among the Top 10 T&D Firms and Top 10 Power Firms.

At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that provide them with an opportunity to thrive, professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. Your greatest work is ahead!

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