Substation Area Lead

WSP • Freeport, ME

3h

About The Position

WSP is currently initiating an internal search for a Substation Area Lead for our Northeast Civil Structural Substation Department. Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. The Area Lead will report to the Northeast Civil Structural Substation Department Manager in Freeport, ME, though the position does not require being based in that location. This individual will manage a team of drafters, designers, and engineers, in addition to current and future project responsibilities. Please note this internal-only posting expires at the end of Friday, February 27, 2026.
The AL shares responsibility with the Department Manager (DM) for managing the department's day-to-day activities to produce a product consistent with WSP’s mission statement and our culture. The AL is expected to support the DM in achieving the department's business plan goals, maintaining WSP’s high-quality standards, promoting internal teamwork, and meeting our clients' needs. This position is also responsible for assisting with developing, maintaining, and strengthening client relationships within the region.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s Degree in Civil and/or Structural Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 5 to 7 years of relevant post education experience as a civil and/or structural engineer providing design deliverables for substation projects.
• Highly capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Demonstrable leadership experience of substation project/client teams.
• Demonstrated competence in client team development and growing/maintaining client relationships.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, tracking and organizing many tasks of varying importance and size.
• Proven ability and desire to mentor and help others.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Strong command of the English language with good written and oral communication skills in order to communicate effectively with internal team members and external client personnel.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Nice To Haves

• 10+ years of experience in substation design.
• Professional Engineering License (PE) and/or proven related substation design experience.

Responsibilities

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Department Manager, communicating regularly through weekly touchpoints and monthly reporting.
• Perform or assist in managing financial and technical aspects of Substation team performance, including timecard approvals, weekly and monthly resource planning, and support for annual business plans.
• Support or participate in appraisals, salary/promotion/bonus recommendations, and department involvement in Regional and Business Unit Initiatives.
• Support proposal development, construction cost estimates, project scheduling, and project budgeting.
• Contribute to proposals, project design, book audits, lunch-and-learns, mentorship efforts, and QA/QC activities.andlearns, mentorship efforts, and QA/QC activities.
• erform and direct others in the detailed design of civil and/or structural aspects of medium to extra-high-voltage substations:
• Prepare one-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA designs, and communications designs.
• Develop conduit and cable sizing/routing and prepare substation physical layouts and elevations.
• Develop substation equipment specifications and participate in the selection/specification of substation equipment.
• Perform facility studies and related technical evaluations.
• 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.

Benefits

• WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.
• Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

What This Job Offers

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