Substation Physical Design Engineer

Kimley-Horn • Portland, OR

6h

About The Position

Kimley-Horn's Portland, OR office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer to support the layout and physical design of high‑voltage substations across developer, EPC, and utility projects. This role supports both utility‑driven standards compliance and fast-paced developer schedules, requiring strong engineering judgment and practical constructability focus. Projects span multiple clients and delivery models, requiring adaptability, strong engineering judgment, and comfort working across varied scopes.
Why Kimley-Horn?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it— that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 18 years!

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering
• 4+ years of substation physical design experience
• Strong understanding of grounding, clearances, and utility design practices
• Familiarity with NESC, IEEE, and utility standards

Nice To Haves

• PE license preferred or in progress

Responsibilities

• Develop substation general arrangements, equipment layouts, and electrical elevations from concept through IFC
• Design grounding plans, conduit plans, raceway layouts, and cable schedules
• Provide clear redlined layouts and technical direction to designers and drafters
• Coordinate with protection & control, civil, and structural disciplines
• Review vendor drawings and resolve constructability and standards issues
• Support construction, RFIs, and as‑built documentation

Benefits

• Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
• Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
• Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
• Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
• Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
• Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.

What This Job Offers

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