Substation Project Lead

WSP•Portland, OR

1d•$98,300 - $175,230•Hybrid

About The Position

WSP is initiating a search for a Substation Project Lead for their Data Center Initiation Team. This role collaborates with teams across WSP supporting data center initiatives and contributes to a growing organization focused on meeting client objectives and solving challenges. This role leads the development of preliminary substation layouts for data center clients, supporting early-stage planning and feasibility assessments. The candidate will collaborate across WSP business lines—including Property & Buildings, Generation, and Earth & Environment—to evaluate site suitability, utility capacity, and infrastructure requirements, helping clients determine whether their projects can meet performance, scalability, and reliability objectives. The position plays a key role in guiding technical decision-making during project initiation, including equipment selection, system configuration, and overall electrical infrastructure strategy. The candidate will provide informed recommendations to help clients identify optimal, cost-effective solutions aligned with project goals. In addition, this individual will lead and coordinate a multidisciplinary team of professionals, ensuring seamless transition from project initiation into subsequent design and execution phases, while maintaining alignment with client expectations and delivery timelines.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
7 to 10 years of relevant experience delivering substation engineering design deliverables for capital power transmission and distribution projects, with progressive responsibility including technical task or design package leadership.
Experience leading substation design deliverables in either physical design or protection and control (P&C) design is required; exposure to the other discipline is a plus.
Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, and processes as applied to utility substation design and construction support.
Extensive knowledge of transmission and distribution substation infrastructure, including equipment selection and physical design considerations.
Experience with substation planning, detailed design, and construction support across new‑build, expansion, and rehabilitation substation projects.
Strong technical computation and analysis skills, including interpretation of drawings, specifications, and engineering calculations.
Ability to plan and conduct field visits and site walkdowns, applying applicable standards and safety protocols.
Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with the ability to convey technical concepts to both engineering and non‑engineering audiences.
Demonstrated self‑leadership, attention to detail, and ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast‑paced, project‑driven environment.
Works independently with minimal oversight while providing technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and designers, with strict adherence to QA/QC processes.
Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to develop practical, cost‑effective engineering solutions.
Demonstrated effectiveness coordinating with subcontractors, vendors, and project stakeholders to deliver work safely, efficiently, and on schedule.
Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.
The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Nice To Haves

Professional Engineer License.
Prior experience serving as a technical lead or project engineer on multi‑discipline substation projects.

Responsibilities

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (internal and external) to support project delivery, site evaluation, and infrastructure integration.
Support proposal development, including scope definition, technical input, and execution planning for new opportunities.
Lead and coordinate technical execution across all project phases, including initiation, concept development, design, procurement, construction, and commissioning.
Interface with clients, utilities, contractors, and regulatory agencies to support project coordination and successful delivery.
Conduct site visits and field support activities to validate design assumptions, address constructability issues, and resolve technical challenges.
Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, deliverables, and quality for assigned substation projects.
Perform and oversee detailed design of medium to extra high voltage substations, including one-line and three-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA/communications systems, station layouts, grounding, and lightning protection.
Prepare and review design deliverables such as general arrangements, sections, elevations, control enclosure details, cable/conduit plans, foundation coordination, yard lighting, and bills of materials.
Review and provide technical oversight for electrical studies and calculations, including load flow, short circuit, grounding, protection coordination, AC/DC systems, voltage drop, and insulation coordination.
Develop, review, and coordinate equipment specifications, procurement packages, and vendor selection activities.
Ensure QA/QC of technical deliverables, verifying accuracy, constructability, and compliance with applicable codes, standards, and client requirements.
Coordinate and approve substation design packages, maintaining alignment with scope, budget, schedule, and quality expectations.
Lead and mentor engineers and designers, providing technical guidance, oversight, and professional development support.
Prepare technical reports, calculations, visualizations, and presentations to communicate design intent, findings, and recommendations.
Apply and maintain knowledge of current industry standards, codes, and emerging substation design practices.
Uphold responsible and ethical decision-making in alignment with company policies and standards.
Perform additional duties as required to support business needs.

Benefits

medical
dental
vision
disability
life
retirement savings
paid sick leave
paid vacation (or other personal time)
paid parental leave
paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings