Substation Physical Project Designer - Grid

Sargent & Lundy•Chicago, IL

14d•$94,247 - $143,989•Hybrid

About The Position

The Substation Physical Project Designer works in a project team environment with engineers and other designers on high- and extra-high-voltage substation design. The role prepares and reviews detailed substation drawings, reviews vendor design deliverables for compliance with specifications, and coordinates project-team comments. It also leads field and constructability walkdowns, gathers data at client facilities, and interfaces with clients and contractors about walkdown issues. The designer identifies and applies applicable codes, standards, and client requirements; contributes to quality-system improvements; mentors designers and other stakeholders in the use of design tools; and reviews and supervises design deliverables. The role provides technical guidance on calculations, prepares and reviews calculations, develops cost-effective design approaches, and coordinates design inputs with other disciplines. It helps implement work plans within budget and schedule, guides project teams toward those targets, and delegates and monitors technical work while providing performance feedback and overseeing day-to-day personnel matters for assigned staff. The position follows a hybrid work schedule requiring in-office work three days per week at a Sargent & Lundy office. The company does not sponsor U.S. work authorization for this position. Compensation is listed as $94,247–$143,989, with eligible positions potentially participating in a yearly discretionary bonus. Sargent & Lundy describes its benefits as including comprehensive healthcare and paid time off.

Requirements

An 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

An 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 the practical application of engineering science and technology, including relating equipment to a technical design.
Interest in learning and effectively using emerging technologies; experience with AI, automation, programming, or similar technologies is valued where relevant but is not required unless specified elsewhere.

Responsibilities

Prepare and conduct detailed reviews of substation general arrangement, electrical equipment plan, electrical section/elevation, detailed bill of material, lightning stroke shielding, grounding, conduit, electrical connection and grounding detail, below-grade conduit/raceway, and control-building drawings.
Technically review project-team comments on vendor design deliverables for specification compliance, coordinate incorporation of comments, and consolidate and resolve comments.
Lead field walkdowns at client facilities, gather data, discuss walkdown issues with clients and contractors, and conduct constructability walkdowns.
Identify applicable codes and standards, guide their application, maintain working knowledge of design standards and practices, ensure designs conform to codes and standards, and apply client standards.
Participate in the company quality system and develop enhancements to standards and processes.
Guide and mentor designers, drafters, and project stakeholders in design/drafting tools and client-specific tools.
Review and supervise production of design deliverables.
Provide technical guidance on calculations and independently prepare and review calculations.
Develop cost-effective design approaches and coordinate with other disciplines to obtain and verify adequate design inputs.
Implement work-plan requirements within budget and schedule using efficient methods, and guide the project team in meeting budget and schedule goals.
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.