Substation Project Engineer

TD Thornton•San Jose, CA

62d•$115,000 - $180,000•Hybrid

About The Position

As a Substation Project Engineer, you will support and lead the planning, design, and execution of electrical substation capital projects within a major utility environment. Working under general direction, you will manage scope, schedule, and cost for low to medium complexity projects while developing the skills necessary to lead larger, more complex initiatives. In this role, you will operate as both a project engineer and project manager, gaining hands-on experience across the full project lifecycle. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, contribute to engineering and construction decisions, and ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. As your experience grows, you will take on increased ownership and serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects.

Requirements

Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field (required)
3-10 years of experience in project management, power system engineering, and design
Exposure to utility, infrastructure, or electrical construction projects
Basic understanding of project scheduling, cost tracking, and project controls principles
Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment
Strong communication skills with the ability to work across cross-functional teams
Experience supporting projects from planning through execution and closeout
Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
Currently within a commutable distance to the job site

Nice To Haves

Experience with substation, transmission, or utility infrastructure projects
Familiarity with SAP or similar enterprise systems
Experience with scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project
EIT certification, PMP certification, or progress toward a PE license
Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
Ability to lead meetings, influence stakeholders, and build alignment across teams
Experience presenting project updates to leadership or key stakeholders

Responsibilities

Support planning and execution of substation capital projects from initiation through closeout
Develop and define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders
Build and maintain project schedules, including milestones, dependencies, and resource planning
Track and analyze project costs, forecasts, and financial performance to ensure alignment with budgets
Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies
Serve as a point of contact for project communication, providing updates to internal teams and stakeholders
Lead or support project meetings, ensuring alignment on scope, schedule, and deliverables
Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, construction, and project controls
Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and maintained throughout the lifecycle
Update internal systems and tools (such as SAP and project tracking databases) with current project data
Monitor project cash flow and provide monthly financial projections and status reports
Support change management processes, including scope adjustments and schedule updates
Apply quality standards and review deliverables to ensure compliance with project requirements
Identify lessons learned and incorporate best practices into future project execution
Manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks and deadlines effectively
Support engineering analysis efforts, such as transmission line rerate studies and cost evaluations
Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues and improve project outcomes