Substation Senior Structural Engineer

Substation Senior Structural Engineer

Substation engineering is the cornerstone of an efficient, reliable, and safe power system. At HDR, our employee‑owners collaborate to design resilient infrastructure that supports modern life. As a Substation Senior Structural Engineer (Sr. SE), you will lead the structural design of high‑voltage switchyards and substations up to 500 kV, including steel structures and foundations, while partnering closely with Project Managers and multidisciplinary teams across multiple office locations.

• Lead, oversee, review, and/or execute structural engineering tasks for a variety of substation structural members such as rolled steel shapes, lattice steel framing, and folded plate tubular steel shapes. Detailed design, calculations, and detailing for fabrication, and preparation of loading and concept drawings for submittal to fabricators.
• Lead, oversee, review, and/or execute foundation design tasks for substation structures, including drilled piers, spread footings, driven piles, and other types, using industry standard software.
• Support physical substation layout designs, plans, elevations/sections, details, and associated bills of materials.
• Prepare and review specifications for construction and materials.
• Assign project tasks and provide technical guidance to project team members.
• Coordinate and perform quality checks and reviews for project deliverables in accordance with HDR Quality Management Systems (QMS). Perform quality checks and reviews of projects from other teams as needed.
• Collaborate with transmission line civil/structural engineers to cross‑train resources.
• Collaborate with other engineers to develop and maintain standards.
• Work independently and directly, mentor, train, and/or supervise one or more Project Engineers, EITs, or CADD designers.
• Lead multiple projects concurrently, utilizing teams in different locations.
• Work with senior engineers and technical leaders to identify and develop technical expertise; attend training and seminars to deepen understanding of complex concepts.
• Assist with developing technical papers and/or presentations that showcase HDR’s capabilities at industry conferences or other events.
• Participate in project reviews as needed.
• Travel may be required.

• Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
• SE license or ability to obtain; a license in Hawaii and California is a plus.
• Experience with high‑voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects up to 500 kV.
• Familiarity with NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI, ASCE‑113 and other industry standards.
• Experience using design software such as PLS‑Tower, Mathcad Prime, STAAD, RISA, MFAD, L‑Pile, or equivalent.
• Previous consulting firm experience.
• Minimum 10 years of technical design experience with foundation and steel structural design for substations.
• Working knowledge of AISC‑360, ASCE‑7, ACI‑318 and other industry standards.
• Track record of working cooperatively with diverse teams, regional, department, and technical managers.
• Self‑starter with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of structural engineering experience related to building design.
• Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position (PE or P.Eng).
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar analytical software.
• Experience in design calculations and layouts; ability to design and detail in steel, concrete, masonry, and wood.
• Understanding of gravity analysis and lateral analysis.
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm.
• Commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture.

HDR is a company built on collaboration, trust, and a shared commitment to making a positive impact. We value each employee’s unique experiences and perspectives, fostering a culture where authentic ideas drive innovation and community well‑being.