Lead Substation Physical Engineer

Dewberry•Nashville, TN

About The Position

Dewberry is seeking a Substation Physical Engineer to lead the growth of its medium- and high-voltage substation design practice. The role offers the opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing team and deliver projects for utilities, government entities, and private institutions. Supported by the Energy Project Management Office and a network of more than 76 electrical engineers, the successful candidate will provide technical and strategic leadership for substation design, including equipment layouts, bus configurations, grounding, conduit systems, cable routing, lightning protection, and electrical clearances. The position oversees construction drawing packages, coordinates multidisciplinary teams, and ensures designs meet safety, operational, and constructability requirements. The leader will also develop talent, establish design standards, foster innovation, and help expand Dewberry’s substation capabilities. Experience with protection and control systems is necessary to support success in the role. Dewberry is a professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. The company emphasizes high-quality client service, collaboration, integrity, and its “Dewberry at Work” attributes. Dewberry encourages candidates who are excited about the role to apply even if their experience does not align with every qualification, and states that it will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization. The company is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Candidates receiving an offer will be required to undergo a background screening. Dewberry only compensates placement recruiters with a valid, approved written agreement.

Requirements

  • Bachelor of Science degree in electrical engineering.
  • 20 or more years of experience, including relevant work on medium- and high-voltage substation design projects.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
  • Experience designing medium- and high-voltage substation electrical systems and producing design deliverables.
  • Experience with protection and control systems.
  • Proven leadership skills, including delegating work to engineering and design staff.
  • Experience with regulated utility substation design standards.
  • Working knowledge of the National Electric Code (NEC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Codes, and other related codes.
  • Good verbal, written, and interpersonal skills for coordination with other disciplines and client interaction.
  • Self-starter with initiative, drive, and determination.

Responsibilities

  • Meet with prospective and existing clients to demonstrate technical capabilities.
  • Coordinate with Energy PMO leadership and energy client managers.
  • Develop technical approaches and engineering estimates, and organize technical teams.
  • Collaborate with other groups and company offices, and collaborate with and manage multidisciplinary teams.
  • Train and mentor staff.
  • Engage with project deliverables, including quality-control reviews and adherence to the quality management system.
  • Serve as a subject matter expert for internal team members.
  • Provide technical and quality oversight of project work.
  • Establish and improve standards.
  • Adhere to project design schedules and budgets.
  • Monitor staffing talent and capacity, and advise Energy PMO and the Business Unit Manager on current and future needs.
  • Work with operations and HR to recruit, develop, and retain energy talent.
  • Promote Dewberry’s culture, values, and commitment to long-term client and employee success.
  • Lead medium- and high-voltage substation physical design, including equipment layouts, bus configurations, grounding, conduit systems, cable routing, lightning protection, and electrical clearances.
  • Oversee construction drawing packages and coordinate multidisciplinary teams to ensure designs meet safety, operational, and constructability requirements.
  • Develop talent, establish design standards, foster innovation, and support the growth of Dewberry’s substation capabilities.
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