Physical Designer; Substation

GFT is searching for a Physical Substation Designer to work in either Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Marlon, NJ, Charlotte, NC, or Roanoke, VA office. An experienced Physical Designer could also work remotely anywhere in the United States (fully remote).

Joining the power team at GFT means engaging in cutting‑edge projects that drive the future of energy infrastructure. Our team excels in providing solutions for power transmission, distribution, and renewable energy, utilizing advanced technologies and creative problem‑solving to meet today’s diverse energy needs. Be part of a dynamic group dedicated to enhancing system reliability, sustainability, and efficiency while shaping the energy landscape for a resilient and sustainable future.

Discover some of our signature power and energy projects here.

Design the physical layout of high‑voltage substation projects through 500 kV.

As a member of our team you will be part of an organization widely recognized for quality and excellence. Our senior team members, regarded as industry experts, are focused on training and leading the next generation of engineers and designers. You will receive a competitive salary, full benefits, and a valuable work/life balance. If you are looking to join a collaborative team that is focused on delivering excellence, please consider applying.

• Design and execution of high‑voltage substation projects in the 34.5 kV – 500 kV range with an emphasis on project safety, cost, quality, and reliability.
• Generate designs and detailed engineering deliverables working under the supervision of a lead engineer.
• Detail physical aspects of the engineering design such as general arrangement, elevation, grounding, and conduit drawings.
• Complete basic engineering calculations related to engineering deliverables.
• Follow specific instructions of a supervisor or engineer to perform more complex design assignments requiring application of standard design principles and practices.
• Use standard CAD tools to create drawings and related deliverables.
• Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications.
• Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational and safety standards.
• Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time, and within budget.
• Prepare and study technical drawings and specifications of electrical systems to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements.
• Travel to job sites for job assessment and data gathering as needed. Return to the office with sufficient field notes to complete the project design.

• 3+ years of relevant substation or general electrical T&D designing experience.
• Expertise in the use of computer‑aided drafting tools such as AutoCAD or Micro Station.
• Thorough knowledge of the following codes:
  National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), National Electrical Code (NEC), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and Design Guide for Rural Substations.
• Ability to review and coordinate vendor submittals to ensure compliance with design parameters.
• Knowledge of substation phase spacing and electrical clearance requirements for live conductors, switch components, and bus supports.
• Ability to develop and review a complete set of construction documents (layouts, elevations, details, grounding plans and details, trench and conduit plans and details, single line diagrams, etc.) based upon project/client specification with little or no supervision.
• Ability to create control enclosure layout, cable tray layout and details, and conduit drawings.
• Knowledge of substation voltages, MV, HV, EHV.
• Ability to develop and design substation duct bank.
• Ability to interpret engineering calculations and studies and apply them to design requirements.
• Ability to apply project schedules to…