Senior Substation P&C Engineer

WSP • Charlotte, NC

2d • $100,000 - $140,000

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Senior Substation P&C Engineer for its Richmond, Virginia, or Charlotte, North Carolina, offices. Candidates may work remotely from a mutually acceptable location in the United States, preferably in the Eastern Time Zone. The role supports electric utility substation projects and may focus on physical substation design, protection and control (P&C) design, or both. It provides technical assistance and guidance through due diligence, investigation, design, development, permitting, and construction for utility, industrial, and commercial projects in public and private sectors.

The position contributes to research, concept development, engineering design, procurement documentation, construction support, and project reviews for transmission and distribution substations, power distribution and regulation, renewable energy, and protection and control systems. Work includes producing and reviewing technical deliverables, developing calculations and specifications, coordinating with clients and multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring designs meet applicable standards, safety requirements, and regulatory obligations. The engineer may also provide guidance to entry-level engineers and support relay settings, testing, commissioning, or start-up activities depending on project needs and background.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 5 to 7 years of relevant post-education experience as an electrical engineer producing design deliverables for large capital projects, including electric utility transmission and distribution substation experience involving physical design and/or P&C systems.
• Legal authorization to work in the United States at hire without current or future employer sponsorship.
• Experience producing and/or reviewing substation deliverables such as general arrangement drawings, substation layouts, one-line and three-line diagrams, grounding and lightning protection, wiring diagrams, schematics, panel layouts, cable schedules, and bills of materials, as applicable to project scope.
• Proficient knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, permitting, and project-work issues.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including rehabilitation and new-design projects.
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Ability to perform technical computations and calculations, apply electrical engineering principles, interpret plans and specifications, and compare facts with applicable regulations.
• Project management experience with small to mid-level projects, including tracking project hours and expenses.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations relating to facility or structure design and construction while applying applicable regulations and policies.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Self-leadership, attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization skills in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to junior team or project members while adhering to QA/QC requirements.
• Experience with discipline-specific design software such as AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, or Inventor.
• Critical-thinking and problem-solving skills to interpret testing results and data and develop effective, economical, and logical solutions.
• Ability to direct subcontractors and others in the field to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Track record of workplace safety and ability to follow WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules that may extend beyond the typical workweek to meet project-specific requirements.
• Ability to travel occasionally as project requirements dictate.

Nice To Haves

• Master's degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Experience managing small to mid-size projects.
• Experience using AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and/or MicroStation for substation physical and/or P&C design deliverables.
• Exposure to relay settings, testing and commissioning, or start-up support.

Responsibilities

• Determine methods for collecting, compiling, and analyzing substation data, equipment specifications, procurement information, design reviews, and applicable IEEE, NESC, and NERC requirements.
• Review third-party design documents, procurement lists, and project plans.
• Perform electrical engineering design for single-line and three-line diagrams, wiring diagrams, general arrangements, substation layouts and bus arrangements, grounding grids, and lightning protection.
• Develop equipment sizing, cabling, AC/DC panel, conduit, and trenching designs that address safety and system functionality.
• Research and recommend components and field equipment applications and operations to support senior engineers.
• Verify site characteristics and provide technical guidance on engineering, design, testing, maintenance modifications, and construction procedures.
• Develop electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short-circuit studies, protective-device coordination, one-line diagrams, protective relaying, and substation switchyard layouts.
• Develop plans, specifications, and cost estimates; prepare construction safety and phasing plans; and update electrical infrastructure layout plans.
• Coordinate with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, clients, engineers, planners, scientific professionals, and construction professionals across concurrent projects.
• Support installation layout, material and equipment quantity and cost calculations, and conformity with specifications, permits, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis requirements.
• Prepare tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations to present data and findings.
• Provide guidance and training to entry-level engineers.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations explaining research, findings, and recommendations related to design or construction issues and opportunities.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret field investigation data and contribute to action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation.
• Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Comply with regulatory requirements for data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and records retention.
• Interact professionally with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients.
• Stay current with electrical engineering techniques and practices and collaborate on infrastructure projects funded by Federal, State, regional, and local entities.
• Support substation P&C and/or physical design deliverables throughout the project lifecycle, including design reviews, constructability input, and resolution of field questions.
• Support or coordinate relay settings development, testing and commissioning, or start-up activities as project needs require.
• Make responsible and ethical decisions regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and follow WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision coverage.
• Disability and 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.
• Flexible and agile workplace model.

What This Job Offers

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