Senior Technical Director – Power Delivery (HVDC, FACTS & Substations)

WSP•Lake Oswego, OR

14d•Hybrid

About The Position

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Technical Director – Power Delivery (HVDC, FACTS & Substations) for our Lake Oswego, OR office. Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Specialty Services Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. This position offers flexibility for on‑site, hybrid, or remote work arrangements, depending on business needs. This Opportunity Provide regional and/or multi-sector technical leadership to ensure electrical engineering subject matter, standards, and programs across power & energy projects are delivered with a level of quality that meets or exceeds industry expectations for design, safety, and functionality. Serve as a senior subject matter authority, ensuring compliance with applicable Local, State, and Federal engineering, construction, and safety regulations, while providing strategic and consistent direction to address current and future challenges across a complex, multi-disciplinary organization. Your Impact Provide proactive and strategic leadership for HV and EHV substation design, HVDC, and FACTS by offering direction, expertise, and support. Provide technical leadership in business development, including client advisory, opportunity shaping, proposal support, and technical differentiators. Develop technical/functional specifications for HVDC converter station, FACTS, and EHV substation equipment. Provide technical oversight and leadership for EHV substation detailed design activities. Develop and/or review Front End Engineering Design (FEED) deliverables, including primary plant layouts for FACTS and HVDC converter stations, technology review/selection, and bid preparation/review. Provide expert technical advice and senior technical review for FACTS and HVDC OEM design packages. Lead and/or support technical reviews of FACTS and HVDC control and protection designs. Serve as the primary liaison between the project team, OEMs, and client. Provide senior‑level engineering judgment and technical direction to major electrical power infrastructure projects throughout all lifecycle stages. Coordinate with client project teams and internal team disciplines. Lead design reviews during the engineering phase, including cross‑functional and multi‑disciplinary teams. Provide technical direction and oversight for HVDC converter station balance of plant design, including all interfaces with EHV substations and adjacent systems. As Subject Matter Expert, review test plans, witness and approve factory acceptance tests (FAT), review commissioning plans, and provide technical support during commissioning. Supervise site pre‑commissioning and commissioning oversight. Mentor and provide guidance to other engineers, including technical coaching and quality oversight. Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the company’s Practice Area Networks (PAN) for HVDC and FACTS. Organize and oversee the implementation of WSP’s quality process and management system. Develop and lead internal and external technical training at corporate events. Regularly prepare and present white papers and technical content marketing pieces. Actively engage in leadership positions within nationally recognized technical societies. Remain current in the latest electrical engineering techniques and practices. Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide “trusted advisor” service and future‑ready solutions for clients. Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures. Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
15+ years of relevant post‑education experience in electrical engineering and large‑scale power infrastructure projects, including power generation, transmission, and distribution, within utility, industrial, or commercial environments.
Professional Engineer (P.E.) license (multi‑state preferred).
Experience in EHV substation design, HVDC converter station design, and FACTS system design.
Extensive knowledge base and skill set in the application and procurement of FACTS and HVDC converter station systems for the electric utility market.
Strong experience managing the review and approval of documents and discipline‑specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi‑project environment.
Strong command of the English language with good written and oral communication skills to work effectively with internal team members and external client personnel.
Advanced proficiency with electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, standard of care, and their application to permitting and project work‑related issues.
Extensive experience in large‑scale power and energy infrastructure design and delivery.
Advanced knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements, and the associated business impacts.
Works independently and provides guidance and leadership to mid‑level to senior‑level team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
Demonstrated ability to establish, implement, and manage multiple large‑scale discipline‑related programs, documents, projects, and practices for one or more lines of business.
Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills with the ability to influence, mentor, and provide technical direction to staff and to interact effectively, persuasively, and tactfully with employees at all levels of the organization.
Strategic lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and prioritization of responsibilities in a pressured work environment.
Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, clients, and company‑wide staff, including those with whom no formal hierarchical relationship exists.
Strong ability to quickly adapt to change and demonstrate flexibility to a variety of schedules and hours to meet business needs.
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Engineering.

Responsibilities

Provide proactive and strategic leadership for HV and EHV substation design, HVDC, and FACTS by offering direction, expertise, and support.
Provide technical leadership in business development, including client advisory, opportunity shaping, proposal support, and technical differentiators.
Develop technical/functional specifications for HVDC converter station, FACTS, and EHV substation equipment.
Provide technical oversight and leadership for EHV substation detailed design activities.
Develop and/or review Front End Engineering Design (FEED) deliverables, including primary plant layouts for FACTS and HVDC converter stations, technology review/selection, and bid preparation/review.
Provide expert technical advice and senior technical review for FACTS and HVDC OEM design packages.
Lead and/or support technical reviews of FACTS and HVDC control and protection designs.
Serve as the primary liaison between the project team, OEMs, and client.
Provide senior‑level engineering judgment and technical direction to major electrical power infrastructure projects throughout all lifecycle stages.
Coordinate with client project teams and internal team disciplines.
Lead design reviews during the engineering phase, including cross‑functional and multi‑disciplinary teams.
Provide technical direction and oversight for HVDC converter station balance of plant design, including all interfaces with EHV substations and adjacent systems.
As Subject Matter Expert, review test plans, witness and approve factory acceptance tests (FAT), review commissioning plans, and provide technical support during commissioning.
Supervise site pre‑commissioning and commissioning oversight.
Mentor and provide guidance to other engineers, including technical coaching and quality oversight.
Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the company’s Practice Area Networks (PAN) for HVDC and FACTS.
Organize and oversee the implementation of WSP’s quality process and management system.
Develop and lead internal and external technical training at corporate events.
Regularly prepare and present white papers and technical content marketing pieces.
Actively engage in leadership positions within nationally recognized technical societies.
Remain current in the latest electrical engineering techniques and practices.
Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide “trusted advisor” service and future‑ready solutions for clients.
Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.