Assistant Substation Technical Manager

Assistant Substation Technical Manager role at GAI Consultants, Inc.

GAI Consultants is seeking an Assistant Technical Manager for substation protection & controls-related work. The role involves designing substation and protection & controls services, providing technical guidance, training and mentoring staff, conducting design reviews, QA/QC checks, and enforcing all aspects of protection & controls design. The successful candidate will work on high‑voltage substation projects up to 500 kV and will operate from a GAI office, in a hybrid setting, or fully remotely.

The position demands a “Client First” approach and thrives in GAI’s corporate culture that encourages professional growth and respects diverse perspectives.

• Manage, design, and perform QA/QC checks on technical activities, including:
  • Develop and revise drawings for one‑lines, schematics, wiring, control and relaying panels, and equipment wiring, coordinating with CAD operators to produce organized quality CAD drawings.
  • Integrate protection and control drawings with the physical layout of substations.
  • Design interface with SCADA systems and communications (RTUs, HMIs, IEDs).
  • Create control and relay panel layouts and assemble specifications.
  • Develop project criteria, design specifications, and overall bill of materials.
  • Design and size auxiliary systems (AC/DC load centers, batteries, chargers).
  • Design and size conduit, cable, and backup generators.
  • Place orders for long‑lead item materials.
  • Conduct point‑to‑point checks.
  • Review junior engineer designs for compliance with client standards and specifications.
  • Document QA/QC reviews, maintain records, and communicate information to the team.
• Travel to other offices, meet clients, and attend project‑specific meetings regularly.
• Manage tasks across multiple projects, maintaining GAI’s high project‑management standards.
• Assist in developing scope of services and cost estimates for substation and P&C projects.
• Prioritize competing tasks using engineering and financial judgment to determine optimal solutions.
• Adapt to shifting deadlines and scope changes.
• Identify project barriers and mitigate them without schedule impacts.
• Manage and prioritize multiple projects simultaneously, handling deadlines and unexpected developments under pressure.
• Work extended hours or after hours when required.

• Serve as the technical advisor, applying advanced concepts and methods in the assigned area.
• Stay informed of new developments and requirements, recommending program changes as needed.
• Develop new techniques, improved processes, materials, or products.
• Analyze sustainable performance of complex engineering projects from a systems perspective.

• Plan, schedule, and coordinate documents or activities for multiple major projects or entire programs.
• Analyze project management plans for complex engineering projects.
• Use risk‑management principles to address uncertainties.
• Review operational procedures to ensure compliance with policies and performance measures.

• Work indoors in professional office settings.
• Sit for extended periods while performing computer‑based tasks.
• Type, write, and handle office equipment.
• Read printed materials, digital screens, and detailed documents.
• Stand, walk, bend, or reach within the office environment; move between workstations and attend in‑person meetings.
• Lift and carry office materials or equipment weighing up to 10‑20 pounds, with or without assistance.
• Have adequate hearing for conversations, phone calls, and virtual meetings.
• Travel for meetings, training, or business purposes.

• Apply thorough knowledge of current engineering principles.
• Use acquired expertise to resolve critical issues.
• Stay informed of new methods, recommending changes to programs.
• Lead moderate‑scope or major projects.
• Analyze complex problems across specialty areas.
• Analyze ethical dilemmas to determine appropriate actions.

• Apply strategic communication principles.
• Represent the specialty area and liaise with related parties.
• Interact routinely with leaders, clients, contractors, and others.
• Promote…