Lead Substation Physical Engineer

Dewberry • Nashville, TN

4d

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 an opportunity to build and mentor a team while delivering 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 in 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 satisfy safety, operational, and constructability requirements.

The role also includes developing talent, establishing and improving design standards, fostering innovation, and growing Dewberry’s substation capabilities. Experience with protection and control systems is necessary to support success in this leadership position.

Dewberry is a professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. It emphasizes quality client service, collaboration, innovation, personal integrity, and long-term employee and client success. Dewberry encourages applicants who may not meet every qualification to apply and does not sponsor new applicants for work authorization.

Requirements

• Bachelor of Science in electrical engineering.
• 20 or more years of experience, including relevant experience working 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 Electrical 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 proactively with other groups and company offices.
• Collaborate with and manage multidisciplinary teams.
• Assist with training and mentoring 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 all 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 the design of medium- and high-voltage substations, including equipment layouts, bus configurations, grounding, conduit systems, cable routing, lightning protection, and electrical clearances.
• Oversee construction drawing packages and ensure designs meet safety, operational, and constructability requirements.

What This Job Offers

• Job Type: Full-time
• Career Level: Senior