Senior Engineer - Physical Substation

As a Senior Substation Engineer – Physical, you’ll lead the design and execution of extra high voltage (EHV) substations (230kV–765kV), ensuring safe, reliable, and cost‑effective solutions for clients. This hybrid role blends hands‑on technical design with project leadership, client engagement, and mentorship of junior engineers.

• Lead the design and execution of EHV substation projects, including physical layout, protection and control systems, grounding, and equipment specifications.
• Serve as the technical authority and mentor for engineering teams, providing guidance on design standards, codes, and best practices.
• Oversee and validate technical deliverables, ensuring alignment with client requirements, industry standards, and internal quality protocols.
• Interface directly with clients, vendors, and subcontractors to define project scope, resolve technical issues, and ensure successful project delivery.
• Manage project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation across multiple concurrent substation projects.
• Develop and review scoping documents, engineering calculations, and technical specifications for EHV substations (typically 230 kV to 765 kV).
• Supervise and delegate tasks to junior engineers and designers, ensuring quality and consistency in engineering output.
• Lead internal and external coordination efforts across disciplines and stakeholders to support integrated project delivery.
• Conduct internal quality assurance reviews and ensure compliance with CDM Smith’s quality management systems.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives, change management, and the development of engineering standards and tools.
• Participate in strategic planning, resource management, and performance evaluations for engineering staff.
• Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal preparation, client presentations, and technical strategy development.
• Provide technical leadership in the selection of equipment and materials, based on complex research and analysis.
• Act as responsible engineer in charge (EOR) for assigned projects, ensuring technical integrity and regulatory compliance.
• Support career development and mentoring of engineering staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Electrical Technology, or a related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 12 years of related experience.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required; frequency contingent on duties.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.

• Proven experience in Extra High Voltage (EHV) substation design across voltage classes ranging from 13.8 kV to 765 kV, including both open‑air and Gas Insulated Substations (GIS).
• Strong background in physical design and protection & control (P&C) systems for high‑voltage substations.
• Proficient in preparing detailed engineering deliverables such as one‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, connection diagrams, equipment arrangement, grounding, foundation, conduit plans, raceway drawings, plan and section views, and signage/nameplate documentation.
• Skilled in performing advanced engineering studies and calculations including lightning protection analysis, conduit fill, voltage drop, surge arrester sizing, AC/DC station service loading, and auxiliary power equipment sizing.
• Experienced in designing various bus configurations for EHV substations.
• Proficient in the use of CDEGS, WinIGS, or similar programs for lightning and grounding studies.
• Proficiency in assessing mechanical forces and thermal effects of high fault currents on rigid bus.

• Strong foundation in transmission systems, grid stability, fault analysis, and load flow studies, with experience in modeling using ETAP, CYME, PSCAD, and PLS‑CADD.
• Proficient in EHV substation design (AIS/GIS), including layout planning, equipment selection, grounding, lightning protection, and insulation coordination (345 kV and above).
• Familiar with SF6 gas‑insulated and air‑insulated systems, and well‑versed in industry standards such as IEEE, IEC, NESC,…