Senior Lead Substation Project Engineer

WSP•Meridian, ID

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Senior Lead Substation Project Engineer to support its Power & Energy Substation Team. The role provides subject matter technical support and leadership for utility, industrial, and commercial-scale projects across the public and private sectors. Work includes research, design, concept development, planning, and construction related to transmission and distribution substations, power distribution and regulation, renewable energy, and protection and control systems. The position may be performed onsite, hybrid, or remotely, depending on candidate location, experience, and business needs. The engineer leads and supports substation projects through concept development, preliminary and detailed design, procurement, construction, and commissioning. The role is responsible for project schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables; technical design and reviews; client and team coordination; and technical guidance to engineers and designers. It also supports department goals, client relationships, proposals, and business development, while ensuring quality, safety, compliance, and effective project execution. Occasional travel and site visits may be required.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
At least 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; multistate licensure preferred.
Highly proficient in electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, and their application to permitting and project-related work.
Highly proficient in infrastructure design.
Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and program or construction management, including work with adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, SCADA, and telecom.
Strong knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
Highly proficient in engineering computations and calculations, applying engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and comparing facts with applicable regulations.
Experience planning and conducting inspections and investigations related to facility or structure construction and design, applying applicable regulations and policies.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas professionally to engineering and non-engineering audiences.
Strong self-leadership and communication skills, with the ability to interact effectively, persuasively, and tactfully with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels.
Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to mid- to senior-level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
Proficiency in technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software, technology, mathematics, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools. Listed software examples include CADD, Aspen, CAPE, ETAP, WIN IGS, Inventor, and AutoCAD Electrical.
Experience critically reviewing documents and preparing complex technical deliverables and plans.
Strong critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to apply technical knowledge to testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis, and selection of effective, economical, and logical solutions.
Demonstrated effectiveness coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
Track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
Flexibility to work varied schedules to meet business needs, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt to change in a pressured work environment.
Ability to travel occasionally, depending on project-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s degree in Engineering.
Professional Engineer (PE) license.
At least 10 years of substation design experience.
Experience supporting or leading multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Responsibilities

Support the Area Lead and Department Manager in achieving department goals, maintaining quality standards, and strengthening client relationships.
Support relationships with alliance and key utility clients through coordination, communication, and technical support.
Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned substation projects.
Support project reporting and proposal development, including scope definition, technical input, and internal coordination.
Perform QA/QC reviews of technical deliverables before client submission, checking accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable standards.
Guide collection, compilation, and analysis of information about work sites, drawings, specifications, substation components, and equipment requirements.
Apply electrical engineering techniques through concept development, preliminary and detailed design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Perform and direct detailed design of medium- to extra-high-voltage substations, including diagrams, schematics, wiring, SCADA and communications systems, station layouts, grounding grids, and lightning protection.
Prepare supporting design documents, including sections and elevations, control enclosure details, cable and conduit plans, foundation and structural coordination details, yard lighting plans, and bills of materials.
Review electrical studies and calculations, including load flow, short circuit, grounding, protective device coordination, AC/DC systems, lightning analysis, and voltage drop.
Contribute to and review substation equipment specifications and technical procurement documents, including equipment selection and vendor coordination.
Provide technical leadership and oversight across multiple concurrent substation projects to maintain consistent quality, execution, and client expectations.
Mentor, technically review, and direct engineers and designers in support of project execution.
Prepare technical reports, calculations, exhibits, and presentations to communicate design intent, findings, and recommendations to internal teams and clients.
Interact professionally and confidently with clients, contractors, and regulatory agencies.
Collaborate with internal teams on proposal pursuits, project execution strategies, and business development opportunities.
Stay current with substation design practices, technologies, codes, and standards.
Participate in occasional travel and site visits for project execution, construction activities, and client needs.
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 coverage
Dental coverage
Vision coverage
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