Lead Substation Project Engineer
About The Position
WSP is seeking a Lead Substation Project Engineer for its Data Center Initiation Team. The role provides technical leadership for early-stage substation development and supports strategic decisions on large-scale data center infrastructure projects. The position may be based in Overland Park, Kansas; Seattle; New York; or San Diego, and remote work is also available. The engineer will contribute across the project lifecycle to the planning and design of substations, transmission interconnections, and site electrical infrastructure for large data center campuses. Responsibilities include assessing site conditions, utility capacity, and system requirements; leading substation configuration and equipment selection; and developing electrical infrastructure strategies that help clients evaluate feasibility, scalability, and long-term reliability. The role advances projects from initial concept through design handoff and involves collaboration with WSP business lines, clients, utilities, stakeholders, and multidisciplinary teams. The role includes leading early-phase technical work, overseeing substation design and engineering deliverables, supporting equipment procurement and vendor evaluation, and ensuring quality standards. The engineer will also provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior staff and contribute to improvements in design practices and standards. Occasional travel may be required based on project needs.
Requirements
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
- 10 or more years of substation design experience.
- Experience leading design packages or acting as a technical lead.
- Strong knowledge of substation systems, equipment, and design standards.
- Experience in physical or protection and control (P&C) design; cross-discipline exposure is preferred.
- Ability to independently execute and coordinate technical work.
- Strong communication, leadership, and coordination skills.
- Proven ability to manage competing priorities.
- Flexibility to work a variety of schedules to meet business needs, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt quickly in a pressured work environment.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior staff.
- Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
Nice To Haves
- Professional Engineer (PE) license.
- Experience serving as technical lead on multidisciplinary projects.
- Data center or large infrastructure project experience.
Responsibilities
- Lead multidisciplinary coordination for site evaluation, infrastructure planning, and integration.
- Support and contribute to proposal strategy, scope, and technical approach.
- Lead technical work during early project phases, from initiation through design.
- Serve as a key interface with clients, utilities, and stakeholders.
- Conduct site visits to validate designs and address constructability challenges.
- Develop and track project scope, schedules, and technical deliverables.
- Perform and oversee substation design, including physical design and/or protection and control systems.
- Develop substation layouts, grounding, lightning protection, and SCADA integration.
- Review and produce design deliverables such as plans, elevations, and wiring diagrams.
- Provide oversight and review of engineering studies and calculations.
- Support equipment specification, procurement, and vendor evaluation.
- Ensure QA/QC compliance across assigned deliverables.
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers.
- Contribute to continuous improvement of design practices and standards.
- Communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences.
- Make responsible and ethical decisions regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and follow WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
- Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.
Benefits
- Medical insurance
- Dental insurance
- Vision insurance
- Disability coverage
- Life insurance
- 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
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What This Job Offers
Job Type
Full-time
Career Level
Senior
