Lead Substation Physical Engineer 2 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy•Chattanooga, TN

1d•$64 - $98•Hybrid

About The Position

Due to continued growth, our Electric Grid Infrastructure Services business unit is seeking an experienced Lead Substation Physical Engineer. This position offers you the opportunity to work in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the detailed electrical design and project management of distribution and transmission substation projects. As a Lead Substation Physical Engineer, you will take an active role in project conceptualization, work planning, and project execution. You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of electrical engineering and design issues. As a Lead Substation Physical Engineer, you will prepare reports and support project deliverables that present technical and project information in a clear and concise manner and meet client requirements and S&L formats. Typical deliverables include: Facility Studies, General Arrangement, Equipment Plans and Sections, Foundation Plans, Grounding and Conduit Plans, Equipment Connection Details, Control Building Plans and Sections. Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of S&L’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.” In addition, you may have the opportunity to travel to client sites as needed. In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools: You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs. Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked. Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required. We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Requirements

A BSEE degree from an ABET-accredited electrical engineering program.
12 or more years experience in the physical layout and design of Transmission and Distribution Substations.
Knowledge of physical design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and 3D models.
Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including the ability to relate various equipment to a technical design.
Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects under budget and time constraints.
Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others.
Proficiency with MS Office applications.

Nice To Haves

Proficient with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
Familiar with Bentley Substation, BlueBeam, AutoCAD E or SDS design software.
Ability to prepare substation grounding calculations, direct stroke shielding calculations, battery & charger sizing calculations, etc.
Transmission Line and protection & controls experience.
Familiarity with ANSI/IEEE/NEMA standards as they relate to physical substation design. This includes the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI - C2).
FE or PE license.
A minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Responsibilities

Take an active role in project conceptualization, work planning, and project execution.
Investigate, trouble-shoot, and solve a wide variety of electrical engineering and design issues.
Prepare reports and support project deliverables that present technical and project information in a clear and concise manner and meet client requirements and S&L formats.
Lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
Direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
Oversee engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs.