Lead Substation Project Engineer

Lead Substation Project Engineer

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our Richmond, VA office. Be involved in projects with our Power Delivery Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. As a key contributor, you will play a significant role in supporting complex substation design projects, managing project execution, and mentoring junior staff.

This position offers the opportunity to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and make a significant impact on our team and our projects. A hybrid or in‑office work setup is preferred to foster collaboration and mentorship, but remote work will be considered for candidates with proven experience.

The Lead Substation Project Engineer is responsible for supporting the Area Lead/Department Manager (AL/DM) in achieving department goals, maintaining our high‑quality standards, and strengthening client relationships.

• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and quality for assigned projects.
• Support AL/DM with the management of relationships with alliance clients.
• Perform QA/QC for deliverables to clients.
• Support project reporting and proposal development.
• Contribute to substation equipment specifications.
• Occasional travel and site visits.

• Perform and direct others in the detailed design of medium to extra‑high‑voltage substations, including:
  • One‑line, schematic, and wiring diagrams.
  • SCADA and Communications.
  • Station physical layouts, sections/elevations, and control enclosure details.
  • Cable and conduit plans and details.
  • Ground grid, foundation, and structural plans and details.
  • Lightning protection and yard lighting plans.
  • Bills of Materials.
• Perform substation studies and calculations (e.g., AC, DC, Lightning Analysis, Voltage Drop).
• Specify and select substation equipment.
• Provide construction support and inter‑disciplinary coordination.

• Support the mentorship and training of other team members.
• Understand and adhere to client standards and processes while working individually or within a team.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a fast‑paced environment, tracking and organizing many tasks of varying importance and size.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post‑education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for substations.
• Professional Engineering license (PE).
• Experience in 15 kV through 230 kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Experience filling the role of electrical engineer for several substation projects occurring concurrently.
• Demonstrates competence and comprehensive knowledge concerning adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, SCADA, and telecom.
• Well‑defined specific knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices and record‑keeping requirements.
• Well‑developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of electrical engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non‑engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high‑level of self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline‑specific design software (i.e., Inventor, AutoCAD Electrical), technology, math principles, predictive models,…