Lead Substation Project Engineer

WSP • Austin, TX

1d

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Lead Substation Project Engineer to support complex substation design projects, manage project execution, and mentor junior staff. The role is based in Austin, Fort Worth, or Houston, Texas, or Overland Park, Kansas. A hybrid or in-office work setup is preferred to foster collaboration and mentorship.

The position provides high-level technical assistance and guidance for utility, industrial, and commercial projects in the public and private sectors. Work may span due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction. Projects include transmission and distribution substations, power distribution and regulation, renewable energy, and protection and control systems. The role develops research, designs, concepts, plans, reports, and specifications, and ensures work meets or exceeds industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

The Lead Substation Project Engineer supports the Area Lead/Department Manager in meeting department goals, maintaining quality standards, and strengthening client relationships. Responsibilities cover project management, client relations, technical design and execution, construction support, interdisciplinary coordination, and team mentorship. Occasional travel and site visits may be required, and schedules may extend beyond a typical workweek to meet project requirements.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post-education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Engineer license required.
• Proficiency in electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, permitting, and project-related issues.
• Extensive knowledge of infrastructure design.
• Comprehensive knowledge of adjacent disciplines, including electrical engineering, protection and control, SCADA, and telecommunications.
• Experience with electrical infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including rehabilitation, new-design, and construction projects.
• Knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Ability to perform technical computations and calculations, interpret plans and specifications, and compare findings with applicable regulations.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Strong self-leadership, attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization skills in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members while adhering to QA/QC requirements.
• Proficiency in technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software, technology, mathematics, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to interpret test results, data, computations, and statistical analyses and develop effective, economical, and logical solutions.
• Record of upholding workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules that meet project-specific requirements and may extend beyond a typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
• Authorization to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering.
• 10 or more years of experience in substation design.
• Experience with 230 kV through 765 kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Experience managing people on a multidisciplinary project team.
• Experience with MicroStation (V8 or newer), AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or Inventor.

Responsibilities

• Develop and manage schedules, budgets, and quality for assigned projects.
• Support the Area Lead/Department Manager in managing relationships with alliance clients.
• Perform quality assurance and quality control reviews of client deliverables.
• Support project reporting and proposal development.
• Contribute to substation equipment specifications.
• Perform and direct detailed design of medium- to extra-high-voltage substations, including one-line, schematic, and wiring diagrams; SCADA and communications; station physical layouts and control enclosure details; cable and conduit plans; ground grid, foundation, and structural plans; lightning protection and yard lighting plans; and bills of materials.
• Perform substation studies and calculations, including AC, DC, lightning analysis, and voltage drop.
• Specify and select substation equipment.
• Provide construction support and coordinate across disciplines.
• Support the mentorship and training of team members.
• Follow client standards and processes while working independently or as part of a team.
• Organize and track multiple tasks of varying priority and size in a fast-paced environment.
• Make responsible and ethical decisions regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and comply with WSP policies and its Code of Conduct.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
• Coordinate and direct subcontractors and others to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Plan and conduct inspections and investigations related to facility or structure design and construction.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Disability and life coverage.
• Retirement savings.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid vacation or other personal time.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

What This Job Offers

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