Substation Engineering Manager

SUBSTATION ENGINEERING MANAGER

Grid United is a mission-driven company aiming to solve the largest barrier to a more reliable, resilient and affordable grid by developing new long haul electric transmission lines in the United States. Established in 2021 by proven industry leaders, Grid United is developing utility-scale electric multi-state transmission projects that will provide long-term economic benefits to communities across the country, provide Americans with improved grid resiliency for our homes and businesses, and cost savings for electricity consumers.

More information about the company can be found at

Grid United is a mission-driven company aiming to solve the largest barrier to a more reliable grid by developing new long-haul transmission projects in the United States. Many of the projects include transformational, grid-connecting corridors that use high-voltage direct current (HVDC) technology and require new or upgraded substations, switching stations, and HVDC converter station facilities. Grid United has created a purpose-built team of motivated and entrepreneurial talent and is looking to expand its engineering team.

This is an exciting opportunity to help Grid United manage and lead AC substation design from early-stage development through construction; this role will work on development projects, with exposure to early and late-stage development through detailed design and project execution.

This specific role focuses on leading project design and execution of high voltage AC substations and switchyards as part of larger transmission projects. Additional responsibilities include managing the unique application of AC interfaces with HVDC systems. The goal is to leverage existing skillsets to further build upon, and expand, expertise that includes HVDC system design. The expectation for this role is a candidate that can immediately take on AC-based tasks while also developing HVDC-based knowledge and skills as part of the project execution team on an HVDC project.

This role would report to the Vice President of Engineering.

The position is optionally remote or located in-office in Houston, TX. The expected travel for this position is up to 25%.

• Lead engineering and design activities for substation and/or switchyard scopes in major transmission projects; collaborating with internal resources, managing external engineering consultants, and interfacing with project stakeholders.
• Lead planning of facility design activities, including engineering scope, budget, and schedule, and coordinate interfaces with transmission line, civil/structural, environmental, and construction teams.
• Review detailed design submittals, calculations, and studies to ensure robust technical standards, safety, constructability, compliance with permitting and land requirements, customer/financing requirements, and needs of the execution team, proposing optimization opportunities when possible.
• Manage substation primary and secondary engineering deliverables, utilizing skillsets that include:
• Strong comprehension of P&C system design (PCD's, protection and remedial action schemes (RAS), SCADA, communications), and
• Balance of plant (BoP) engineering (one-lines and three-lines, equipment specifications, physical layout, bus configuration (AIS/GIS), grounding, lightning protection, and cable/conduit designs).
• Provide engineering support to other disciplines as needed for project development, interconnection studies support, permitting, landowner coordination, equipment procurement, commissioning readiness, and risk mitigation.
• Participate in site visits to assess location suitability, constructability, access, laydown needs, and tie-in/outage constraints.
• Engage with equipment suppliers and manufacturers for technical and commercial alignment.
• Acquire knowledge, and stay informed on, technical capabilities and advances in HVDC converter station and substation technologies (including protection, controls, and digital substations), sharing knowledge throughout the engineering team and organization.
• Utilize internal tools and market outreach to prepare and update facility CAPEX estimates (equipment, civil/structural, installation, testing/commissioning, and outage costs).
• Provide technical due diligence support such as fatal flaw analyses for early-stage development prospects and potential acquisition opportunities, including substation siting, constructability, interconnection feasibility, and equipment lead…