Senior Lead Substation Project Engineer

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Lead Substation Project Engineer for our Lakewood, CO. Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. This position offers an on‑site, hybrid, or remote work arrangement, depending on candidate location, experience, and business needs.

Provides subject matter technical support and leadership for multi‑site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, improvement, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include the research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems in a wide variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and Federal, State, and local government projects).

Provides situational guidance to PMs and managers that address current and future challenges, and that documentation and recommendations accurately account for and address risk, innovation, and future‑ready opportunities. Provides leadership with ensuring that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

• Support the Area Lead/Department Manager in achieving department goals, maintaining high‑quality standards, and strengthening client relationships.
• Support the management of relationships with alliance and key utility clients, including coordination, communication, and technical support.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned substation projects.
• Support project reporting and proposal development efforts, including scope definition, technical input, and coordination with internal teams.
• Perform QA/QC reviews for technical deliverables prior to client submission, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable standards.
• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data relating to physical work sites, drawings, specifications, substation components, and equipment requirements.
• Apply advanced electrical engineering techniques across project phases including concept development, preliminary design, detailed design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Perform and direct others in the detailed design of medium‑to‑extra‑high‑voltage substations, including one‑line and three‑line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA and communications systems, station layouts, grounding grids, and lightning protection.
• Prepare supporting design documents such as sections and elevations, control enclosure details, cable and conduit plans, foundation and structural coordination details, yard lighting plans, and bills of materials.
• Review electrical studies and calculations including load flow, short circuit, grounding, protective device coordination, AC/DC systems, lightning analysis, and voltage drop.
• Contribute to and review substation equipment specifications and technical procurement documents, supporting equipment selection and vendor coordination.
• Provide technical leadership and oversight across multiple concurrent substation projects, ensuring consistency in quality, execution, and client expectations.
• Oversee and support engineers and designers through mentorship, technical review, and direction in support of project execution.
• Prepare technical reports, calculations, exhibits, and presentations to communicate design intent, findings, and recommendations to internal teams and clients.
• Interact with clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies in a professional and confident manner.
• Collaborate on proposal pursuits, project execution strategies, and business development opportunities.
• Remain current with evolving substation design practices, technologies, and applicable codes and standards.
• Participate in occasional travel and site visits in…