Senior Substation P&C Engineer

WSP•Charlotte, VA

About The Position

WSP is seeking a Senior Substation P&C Engineer to support its Power & Energy Substation Team. The position is associated with the Richmond, Virginia and Charlotte, North Carolina offices, though remote work may be possible from a mutually acceptable location in the United States, preferably in the Eastern Time Zone. The role provides technical assistance and guidance for utility, industrial, and commercial-scale projects in the public and private sectors, including transmission and distribution substations, power distribution and regulation, renewable energy, and protection and control systems. Work may focus on physical substation design, protection and control design, or both. The engineer supports projects across the design and construction lifecycle, producing and reviewing technical deliverables, calculations, plans, specifications, cost estimates, and reports. The role involves coordinating with project teams, owners, clients, subcontractors, and regulatory agencies; contributing to design reviews and constructability; addressing field questions; and, depending on project needs and background, supporting relay settings, testing and commissioning, or start-up activities. The position also provides guidance and training to entry-level engineers and requires adherence to applicable industry standards, safety requirements, regulations, and WSP policies.

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 work involving physical design and/or P&C systems.
Legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without current or future employer sponsorship.
Experience producing and/or reviewing substation deliverables such as general arrangement drawings, 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, and their application to permitting and project work.
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, interpret plans and specifications, and compare facts against applicable regulations.
Project management experience on small- to mid-level projects, including tracking project hours and expenses.
Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations concerning facility or structure construction and design, applying relevant regulations and policies.
Effective interpersonal and communication skills, including the ability to communicate professionally with engineering and non-engineering audiences.
Strong self-leadership, attention to detail, multitasking, and prioritization in a dynamic work environment.
Ability to work independently, guide and lead junior team or project members, and adhere strictly 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, collate data, conduct statistical analysis, and identify effective, economical, and logical solutions.
Ability to direct subcontractors and others in the field to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety and ability to comply with WSP health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
Ability to work schedules that meet project-specific requirements and may extend beyond a typical workweek.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

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 packages, design reviews, and applicable IEEE, NESC, and NERC requirements.
Review and advise on third-party design documents, procurement lists, and project plans.
Design and develop 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 strategies that support safety and system functionality.
Research and recommend design components, field equipment applications, and operating approaches.
Verify site characteristics and provide technical input on engineering, design, testing, maintenance modifications, and construction procedures and issues.
Perform electrical calculations and studies, including load and equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short circuits, protective device coordination, protective relaying, and switchyard layouts.
Develop plans, specifications, cost estimates, construction safety and phasing plans, and electrical infrastructure layout plans in coordination with owners, disciplines, subconsultants, and clients.
Coordinate and execute work across multiple concurrent projects, including installation layouts, material, equipment and labor quantities and costs, and conformance with specifications, permits, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analyses.
Prepare data visualizations, reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations to present findings and analyses.
Provide guidance and training to entry-level engineers and support junior team or project members.
Prepare technical reports and presentations explaining research, findings, and recommendations related to design or construction issues and opportunities.
Assist with field investigation data analysis and interpretation and contribute to action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation.
Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
Comply with requirements for data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and record retention.
Interact professionally with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients.
Keep current with electrical engineering techniques and practices and collaborate on infrastructure projects funded by Federal, State, regional, and local authorities.
Support substation P&C and/or physical design deliverables throughout the project lifecycle, including design reviews, constructability input, and resolution of field questions.
Depending on project needs and background, support or coordinate relay settings development, testing and commissioning, or start-up activities.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making concerning company resources and conduct, and comply with WSP's Code of Conduct and related policies.
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