Senior Lead Substation Project Engineer

WSP•Boise, ID

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Senior Lead Substation Project Engineer to join its Power & Energy Substation Team. The position may be based in Boise, Idaho; Billings, Montana; Salt Lake City, Utah; or Reno, Nevada, with an onsite, hybrid, or remote arrangement depending on candidate location, experience, and business needs. The role provides subject matter technical support and leadership for utility, industrial, and commercial-scale projects across the public and private sectors. Work may span due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, improvement, design, development, and construction. Technical areas include transmission and distribution substations, power distribution and regulation, renewable energy, and protection and control systems in utility, transportation, building, and government contexts. The Senior Lead Engineer guides project managers and managers in addressing current and future challenges, and helps ensure that project documentation and recommendations account for risk, innovation, and future-ready opportunities. The role provides leadership to ensure work meets or exceeds industry standards for design, safety, and functionality. It also supports department goals, client relationships, project delivery, technical quality, and the development of engineers and designers.

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.
An engineer license is required; multi-state licensure is preferred.
High proficiency in electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, and applying them to permitting and project-related issues.
High proficiency in infrastructure design.
Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and program/construction management, including work with adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, protection and control, SCADA, and telecom.
Strong knowledge of applicable engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
High proficiency in technical computations and calculations, applying engineering principles, interpreting plans and specifications, and comparing facts with applicable regulations.
Experience planning and conducting inspections and investigations concerning facility or structure construction and design, applying applicable regulations and policies.
Strong interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to explain complex ideas effectively and 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 organizational levels.
Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to mid-level through senior team or project members while strictly adhering to QA/QC.
Proficiency in technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software, technology, mathematics, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools. Examples of software include CADD, Aspen, CAPE, ETAP, WIN IGS, Inventor, and AutoCAD Electrical.
Experience critically reviewing documents and preparing highly complex technical deliverables and plans.
Well-developed critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to apply technical knowledge, interpret testing results and data, perform computations and statistical analysis, and identify effective, economical, and logical solutions.
Demonstrated ability to coordinate and assertively direct subcontractors and others to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
A track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
Flexibility to work a variety of schedules to meet business needs, prioritize responsibilities, and adapt quickly in a pressure work environment.
Ability to travel occasionally as project requirements dictate.
Must be authorized to work in the United States.

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 or Department Manager in achieving department goals, maintaining high-quality standards, and strengthening client relationships.
Support relationships with alliance and key utility clients through coordination, communication, and technical support.
Develop and manage schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned substation projects.
Support project reporting and proposal development, including scope definition, technical input, and coordination with internal teams.
Perform QA/QC reviews of technical deliverables before client submission to ensure accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable standards.
Guide the collection, compilation, and analysis of data concerning physical work sites, drawings, specifications, substation components, and equipment requirements.
Apply advanced electrical engineering techniques across 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, supporting equipment selection and vendor coordination.
Provide technical leadership and oversight across multiple concurrent substation projects, ensuring consistent quality, execution, and alignment with client expectations.
Mentor, technically review, and direct engineers and designers in support of project execution.
Prepare technical reports, calculations, exhibits, and presentations communicating 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 evolving substation design practices, technologies, codes, and standards.
Travel occasionally and visit project sites as needed to support 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 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