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.

Responsibilities

+ 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.

Essential Skills

+ 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.

Additional

Skills & Qualifications

+ 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 tools, with Revit preferred, to support BIM-based substation design workflows.

+ Understanding of substation equipment layout, equipment clearances, and associated safety and reliability requirements.

+ Understanding of grounding and lightning protection design principles and their application in substation environments.

+ Understanding of conduit, cable tray, and cable routing systems for AC/DC power and control circuits.

+ Experience in related disciplines such as mechanical, MEP, civil, or electrical drafting and design for power systems.

+ Ability to work independently, take initiative, and learn new tools and standards while contributing to project delivery.

+ Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a focus on teamwork and knowledge sharing.

Work Environment

The…