Lead Substation Engineer - Physical

WESTWOOD PROFESSIONAL SERVICES INC•Raleigh, NC

54m•Onsite

About The Position

Westwood Professional Services, Inc. is seeking a Lead Physical Engineer to join their Renewables Substation team. This role will primarily lead the substation Physical engineering and design efforts for large-scale, transmission-interconnected renewable energy projects. The Lead Physical Engineer will also provide leadership and mentorship to a Physical design team of three to five engineers and/or designers. This individual will collaborate with other engineers, designers, and drafters to develop project deliverables that meet stakeholder requirements and comply with applicable codes and standards. As part of the multi-discipline Substation Team, the Lead Physical Engineer will work with the Substation Project Engineer and other discipline leads to ensure design documents are coordinated and consistent between the P&C and Civil/Structural teams.

Requirements

Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from a recognized accredited program
Minimum of 7-9 years of work experience in substation design and engineering
Strong understanding of electrical systems and substation layouts, grounding, lightning protection, illumination and clearances
PE License
Strong written and verbal communications skills
Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail
Familiarity with industry standards and codes (ANSI, IEEE, NEC, NESC, NERC, etc.)
General knowledge of the industry and technology trends specific to substations
Proficiency in assessing mechanical forces and thermal effects of high fault currents on rigid bus.
Familiarity with Substation major equipment and the specifications thereof: HV and MV Circuit Breakers, Power Transformers, Instrument Transformers, Disconnect Switches, Bus Work, Surge Arresters, Steel, Foundations, Capacitor Banks, Reactors.

Nice To Haves

Previous experience in a consultancy environment
Previous experience with large scale renewable energy projects
General knowledge of substation construction practices
Familiarity with 3D design packages and software
Proficiency in engineering software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation, CDEGS, WinIGS, AGI)
Previous project and/or discipline team leadership
Previous experience as a direct supervisor

Responsibilities

Lead the design and engineering of 35kV to 500kV physical substation layouts, ensuring optimal equipment placement, grounding, and structural integrity.
Develop General Arrangements, Plan Views and Elevation Views, Grounding Plans, and Cable Trough/Conduit Plans.
Create Specifications for Major Primary Equipment (transformers, breakers, switches, etc.).
Prepare Documentation for Design Calculations, Bill of Materials, and Construction Documentation (Sequence and RFP).
Conduct and document studies for Grounding, Lightning, Illumination, Bus Fault Stress Analysis, and Insulation Coordination.
Lead a Physical team of three to five engineers and/or designers by providing mentorship, support, performance planning, monthly one-on-one meetings, and expense and timesheet review and approval.
Assist with technical support in Procurement, Vendor Drawing Review, and Construction.
Work seamlessly with a Physical Designer to develop projects.
Coordinate efforts with other external and internal project team members, identifying when coordination is needed with disciplines such as transmission line engineers, distribution line engineers, and telecom engineers.
Follow department processes and procedures.
Maintain a strong customer focus attitude.
Provide clear and honest feedback to project team, external stakeholders, and clients.
Help develop approaches to accommodate unique client requests.
Advise Management on how to maximize ROI for the team.
Oversee multiple projects simultaneously, managing timelines and resources to ensure successful project delivery.
Prepare and review engineering calculations, detailed drawings, specifications, and reports to ensure accuracy and compliance with industry standards.
Ensure all designs meet relevant codes, standards, and regulations, including NESC, IEEE, and local utility requirements.
Implement quality control processes to review designs and deliverables, ensuring high standards of engineering excellence, including cross-discipline checks with other substation/service leads.
Mentor and provide guidance to junior engineers and technical staff, fostering a culture of learning and professional growth.
Participate in project meetings, presenting design concepts and updates to clients and stakeholders, and addressing any concerns or feedback.
Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices, and contribute to the development of innovative engineering solutions.