Principal Substation Physical Engineer

Leidos•Orlando, FL

3d•$131,300 - $237,350•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Principal Substation Physical Engineer, you will serve as a technical authority and strategic leader in the design and delivery of complex HV and MV substation projects. You will guide engineering direction, elevate technical standards, mentor future leaders, and influence client and organizational decisions that shape the future of the grid. This role offers a hybrid schedule, with 2-3 days of in-person connection in the Orlando, FL office for collaboration and networking, and the flexibility to work remotely on other days for focused work. The position involves leading conceptual and detailed HV/MV substation physical/electrical design, reviewing advanced technical studies, developing and enforcing technical specifications, leading QC reviews, overseeing bill of materials and cost estimates, providing technical coaching and training, and acting as a senior technical representative in client meetings and project reviews.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical, Mechanical, Civil, or related engineering field.
12+ years of progressive substation physical design experience, with demonstrated leadership on medium‑to‑large utility projects.
Deep understanding of power generation, transmission, and distribution systems.
Expertise in advanced engineering studies: grounding, arc flash, lightning, AC/DC load, volt‑drop, and protection‑related analyses.
Mastery of HV/MV physical design including DC systems, station service, batteries, switchgear, chargers, ATS/MTS, AC systems, and auxiliary power.
Proven ability to size major equipment, select materials, and guide procurement decisions.
Experience supporting construction, commissioning, and field engineering.
Strong knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, NERC, and FERC standards and regulatory frameworks.
Florida Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in a related field.
Working knowledge of protection and control design.
Experience with rigid bus calculations.
Familiarity with WinIGS or CDEGS modeling tools.

Responsibilities

Lead conceptual and detailed HV/MV substation physical/electrical design for medium‑to‑large utility projects, establishing design approaches, standards, and best practices.
Review, validate, and guide advanced technical studies including grounding, arc flash, lightning, AC/DC load, and protection‑related analyses.
Develop, refine, and enforce technical specifications, design criteria, and equipment standards across multiple projects and teams.
Lead QC reviews for major substation physical design packages, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and compliance with industry standards.
Oversee bill of materials development, cost estimates, and proposal strategies for high‑value substation projects.
Provide high‑level technical coaching, lead training initiatives, and support the growth of engineers at all levels.
Act as a senior technical representative in client meetings, site visits, and project reviews, ensuring alignment and customer satisfaction.
Work closely with internal teams, project managers, and leadership to drive project success and organizational improvement.