Lead Substation Physical Engineer

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As a Lead Substation Physical Engineer, 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, based out of one of CDM Smith’s offices, blends hands‑on technical design with project leadership, client engagement, and mentorship of junior engineers. You’ll play a key role in advancing critical infrastructure while growing your expertise in a collaborative environment.

Lead Substation Physical Engineer

• 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.

• 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 (345kV and above).

• Familiar with SF6 gas‑insulated and air‑insulated systems, and well‑versed in industry standards such as IEEE, IEC, NESC, ANSI, and OSHA.

• Skilled in protection and control integration, including control buildings, panels, and coordination with civil teams on foundations, grading, and drainage.

• Experienced in construction practices, commissioning, testing, and…