Substation Designer

Job Title:

Substation Designer

Job Description

This role focuses on providing detailed physical design and CADD/BIM support for transmission and distribution substation projects of varying size and complexity. You will work as part of a nationally ranked Power Delivery team, developing construction‑ready design packages, supporting engineering calculations, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. This position offers an excellent growth opportunity for a self‑directed professional who enjoys learning, solving complex design challenges, and contributing to high‑impact power delivery projects.

• Develop detailed substation physical design packages, including general arrangement drawings, equipment layouts and elevations, grounding and lightning protection plans, conduit, cable tray, and raceway layouts, and comprehensive bills of materials.
• Produce construction‑ready drawing packages for high‑voltage transmission and distribution substations that meet client requirements and applicable standards.
• Perform and support key engineering calculations such as ground grid design, conductor and bus sizing, cable sizing and routing, and AC/DC auxiliary system sizing.
• Assist in reviewing engineering and design calculations to verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance with relevant codes, standards, and client specifications.
• Coordinate closely with Protection and Control engineers, civil and structural teams, designers, and drafters to integrate multidisciplinary inputs into a complete and coherent substation design.
• Collaborate with engineering staff in both local and remote offices to ensure consistent design approaches, timely information sharing, and effective project execution.
• Participate in site visits to collect design data, verify existing conditions, and support construction and commissioning activities as needed.
• Work with contractors and clients in the field to resolve design issues, clarify design intent, and support successful project delivery.
• Use CADD/BIM tools to prepare, update, and maintain accurate substation drawings and models, ensuring that all design revisions are properly documented.
• Apply knowledge of substation equipment layout, clearances, grounding, lightning protection, and conduit and cable routing systems to develop safe, reliable, and efficient designs.

• Associate degree or technical school degree in a relevant field, or an AutoCAD or Micro Station certification.
• At least 1 year of experience developing substation CADD layouts and designs from engineering inputs.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for drafting and design of substation layouts and related drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools to support documentation, reporting, and coordination.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program is strongly preferred for mid‑level engineering responsibilities.
• Between 2 and 8 years of experience in substation physical design, including work on transmission and distribution substations.
• Experience working with substation voltage levels in the range of approximately 12 kV through 230/345 kV, with higher voltage experience considered a plus.
• Knowledge of industry codes and standards, including IEEE, NESC, and NEC, and the ability to apply them to substation design.
• Ability to work closely and effectively with engineering staff, designers, and drafters in both local and remote office settings.
• Strong skills in drafting, design, and electrical design/drafting for power, substation, and distribution projects.

• Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) certification, with progression toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure strongly preferred for engineering‑focused responsibilities.
• Experience working on utility or engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) substation projects.
• Familiarity with air‑insulated (AIS) and gas‑insulated (GIS) substations and their specific design considerations.
• Experience applying utility‑specific design standards and client‑specific requirements.
• Proficiency with Micro Station or Bentley Substation for substation design and drafting.
• Experience with 2D and 3D modeling…