Substation Design Manager

PCL Construction•Katy, TX

3d•Onsite

About The Position

The Substation Design Manager will collaborate with project managers, engineers, and field teams to deliver cost-effective, reliable solutions. This role involves leading and overseeing the full substation design process from concept and feasibility through detailed design and execution, ensuring technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with utility and project specifications. The position requires technical leadership for Protection and Control (P&C) design, interpretation of utility and grid operator requirements, and coordination with various project teams. The role also includes participating in site walks, factory acceptance tests, commissioning, and energization activities, as well as identifying and troubleshooting design nonconformances. Continuous improvement through staying current with industry trends and capturing lessons learned is essential. The manager will also maintain client relationships, supervise and mentor engineering staff, and promote a collaborative, high-performance culture.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree or diploma in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline; Professional Engineer (P.Eng.) designation preferred, or equivalent relevant industry/trade experience.
7–10 years of progressive experience in electrical or power systems engineering, including at least 2 years in utility-scale solar or renewable energy project construction.
Proven background in high-voltage substation design, including protection and control (P&C) systems, relay schemes, and SCADA integration.
Hands-on experience with substation testing, commissioning, and grid synchronization, including familiarity with utility interconnection and energization procedures.
Demonstrated ability to review and interpret vendor drawings and documentation, ensuring alignment with design intent, protection schemes, and project standards.
Skilled in identifying and communicating installation priorities to field and trade contractors, preparing and managing construction and commissioning schedules, and leading start-up and closeout processes.
Solid understanding of contracts and subcontracts, with the ability to manage contractual obligations, project scope, and ensure compliance with health, safety, and environmental regulations.
Strong capability to monitor, forecast, and allocate resources, identify schedule impacts, and proactively manage risks and opportunities during both the design and construction phases.
Proven commitment to promoting and implementing a strong safety culture across design and execution teams.
Excellent verbal, written, and interpersonal communication skills, with the ability to lead multidisciplinary teams and collaborate effectively with clients, utilities, and internal stakeholders.
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with a proactive approach to resolving technical and design issues.
Flexible and adaptable in a fast-paced, multi-project environment, with a willingness to travel for site work, testing, and commissioning activities as required.

Responsibilities

Lead and oversee the full substation design process from concept and feasibility through detailed design and execution, ensuring technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with utility and project specifications.
Review and coordinate equipment vendor drawings and documentation (e.g., transformer, circuit breaker, switchgear, and protection equipment).
Ensure vendor designs are fully aligned with the overall substation design, project requirements, and protection/control schemes.
Collaborate closely with the Engineer of Record (EOR) to resolve design issues, review technical submittments, and maintain consistency across multiple substation designs and related balance-of-plant systems.
Provide technical leadership for Protection and Control (P&C) design, including review of relay logic, control schematics, SCADA integration, and interconnection requirements.
Interpret and implement utility and grid operator requirements, ensuring all designs, relay schemes, and interface points comply with applicable standards and operational practices.
Coordinate and communicate effectively with project management, PV design teams, and construction teams to optimize design flow, resolve technical challenges, and support timely project delivery.
Participate in site walks, factory acceptance tests (FATs), commissioning planning, and energization activities, providing technical guidance during construction, testing, and commissioning phases.
Identify and troubleshoot design nonconformances, determine root causes, and provide corrective action recommendations to maintain quality and performance standards.
Stay current with industry practices, technologies, and emerging trends in substation design, equipment, and protection systems to drive continuous improvement and innovation.
Capture lessons learned and success stories for continuous improvement across the project lifecycle, contributing to estimating, design, and construction best practices.
Maintain strong client and stakeholder relationships, ensuring alignment with project-specific success criteria (CPSSC) and owner objectives.
Supervise, mentor, and develop engineering staff, promoting a collaborative, high-performance culture within the design team.

Benefits

Employee ownership opportunities that build long-term value
Annual discretionary performance bonuses
401(k) with company match
Industry-leading medical, dental and vision benefits
Prescription drug coverage and telemedicine services
Life, AD&D and disability insurance
Paid parental leave and family care support
HSA or FSA for healthcare, dependent care and transportation
Mental health and wellness support, including Employee Assistance Programs
Career growth pathways, leadership development and mentorship programs
Access to world-class training through PCL’s College of Construction and professional development courses
Ongoing opportunities to learn new skills, explore different roles and grow your career across sectors and regions