Substation Physical Project Designer - Grid

Sargent & Lundy•Farmington Hills, MI

12d•Hybrid

About The Position

The Substation Physical Project Designer works in a project team environment with engineers and other designers to develop high- and extra-high-voltage substation designs. The role prepares and reviews substation drawings and design deliverables, supports vendor design reviews, leads facility walkdowns, applies codes and client standards, and provides technical guidance and mentoring to project staff. The position also contributes to cost-effective design approaches and helps ensure project work meets budget and schedule requirements. The position follows a hybrid work schedule, requiring in-office work three days per week at a Sargent & Lundy office. Sargent & Lundy does not sponsor U.S. work authorization for this position. Employees may use relevant data, automation, AI, and other digital tools, while remaining accountable for their work and applying appropriate professional judgment and review.

Requirements

Associate degree in Drafting or equivalent technical experience.
15 or more years of substation physical design experience.
Advanced knowledge of computer drafting tools such as AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
Ability to visualize equipment details and phase-to-ground and phase-to-phase clearances.
Ability to multitask across projects.
Ability to visualize parts in 3D without computer assistance.

Nice To Haves

Associate degree in Computer Aided Design.
Familiarity with Bentley Substation, Inventor SDS, and BlueBeam.
Familiarity with ground-based LiDAR and converting point-cloud information to vector.
Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles used to produce technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
Knowledge of practical applications of engineering science and technology, including relating equipment to a technical design.
Interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies relevant to the role; experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued but not required.

Responsibilities

Prepare and conduct detailed reviews of substation general arrangement drawings, electrical equipment plans, section views/elevations, detailed bills of material, lightning stroke shielding plans, grounding plans, conduit and electrical connection details, below-grade conduit/raceway plans, and control-building equipment, cable tray, lighting, grounding plans, and sections.
Review project-team comments on vendor design deliverables for compliance with specifications, coordinate incorporation of comments, and consolidate and resolve comments.
Lead field walkdowns at client facilities and gather data.
Interface with clients and contractors to discuss walkdown issues and conduct constructability walkdowns.
Identify applicable codes, standards, and client standards; guide their application and ensure designs conform to them.
Participate in the company quality system by developing enhancements to company standards and processes.
Maintain and apply working knowledge of design standards and practices.
Guide and mentor designers, drafters, and other project stakeholders in using design and drafting tools and client-specific tools.
Review and supervise production of design deliverables.
Provide technical guidance on preparing and reviewing calculations; obtain calculation inputs and independently prepare and review calculations.
Develop cost-effective design approaches and coordinate with other disciplines to obtain adequate inputs for integrated designs.
Implement work-plan requirements within budget and schedule using efficient methods, and guide the project team in meeting budget and schedule targets.
Delegate and monitor assigned staff's technical work, provide performance feedback as a primary evaluator, and oversee routine day-to-day performance and personnel issues for the assigned group.
Use appropriate technology, including digital tools where relevant, to support work while applying professional judgment and review.