Substation Senior Project Engineer

WSP • The Woodlands, TX

1d • Onsite

About The Position

WSP is seeking a senior substation engineering professional to provide technical and design leadership within its Power & Energy Substations Business Unit. The role applies expertise in substation electrical engineering, high- and medium-voltage systems, relay protection and control, SCADA integration, power system studies, substation automation, grid modernization, renewable energy interconnections, and transmission and distribution systems. It ensures engineering designs and technical deliverables meet or exceed applicable IEEE, NEC, NESC, company, and regulatory standards for quality, safety, and functionality.

The position leads complex substation and electrical infrastructure projects, supports regional business development and project execution, and provides technical direction to engineering teams and clients. It addresses power delivery challenges involving reliability, load growth, resiliency, and digital substation technologies, while ensuring compliance with applicable electrical engineering, construction, and safety regulations. The role also supports staff development, client relationships, proposals, project financial performance, workforce planning, and long-term growth of power delivery services. Travel to project sites, substations, client offices, and field locations is required as needed.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field, preferably with a Power Systems focus, or equivalent experience in substation engineering and power delivery.
• 12 or more years of relevant electrical engineering, substation design, and capital infrastructure development experience across power generation, transmission, and distribution in utility, EPC, industrial, or commercial environments.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license; multi-state licensure is preferred. Experience supporting utility projects, NERC-regulated environments, and permitting requirements.
• Advanced proficiency in power systems analysis, relay protection and control, grounding, short-circuit analysis, load-flow studies, coordination studies, and design-build/EPC and permitting applications.
• Advanced proficiency in substation and infrastructure design, including AIS/GIS substations, HV and MV systems, bus configurations, transformer sizing, and equipment layouts.
• Strong working knowledge of IEEE, NEC, and NESC codes and standards; OSHA/NFPA safety regulations; and federal, state, and local permitting requirements, compliance documentation, and audits.
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and technical analyses, including voltage drop and equipment ratings, and interpret drawings, plans, and technical specifications.
• Ability to work independently and lead mid- to senior-level staff while maintaining QA/QC processes, design reviews, and engineering standards.
• Excellent leadership and communication skills, including collaboration with engineering teams, project managers, clients, utilities, regulators, and executive leadership.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, including prioritization in a fast-paced, deadline-driven environment.
• Ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams, utility stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and senior leadership without direct authority.
• Advanced proficiency with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, Revit, Aspen OneLiner, ETAP, CAPE, CYME, PSCAD, SKM PowerTools, WinIGS, and Inventor, plus strong Excel modeling and data-analysis skills.
• Demonstrated commitment to workplace safety, safe design practices, and HSE compliance, including OSHA standards, job hazard analysis, and safety audits.
• Adaptability to support multiple projects, changing priorities, and evolving client and business needs.
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites, substations, client offices, and field locations as required.

Nice To Haves

• Master’s degree in Engineering.
• Experience managing reviews and approvals of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment.

Responsibilities

• Provide strategic technical leadership for electrical engineering, substation design, HV and MV systems, relay protection and control, SCADA/automation, and power delivery projects.
• Review permit applications and substation engineering packages, including diagrams, protection schemes, wiring schematics, grounding plans, and equipment specifications, for compliance and sound engineering practice.
• Lead complex greenfield and brownfield AIS/GIS substation and infrastructure projects, including scope, schedule, deliverables, budgets, cost tracking, resource planning, forecasting, and oversight of EPC contractors, subcontractors, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Drive business development and project execution for regional electrical infrastructure, substation, and T&D projects supporting utilities, renewable energy, and grid modernization.
• Lead technical content for client presentations, proposals, and stakeholder meetings, including scope definition and risk assessment.
• Support long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development for power delivery and electrical engineering services, including planning, detailed design, owner's engineering, program management, and construction management.
• Manage project profitability, margins, costs, schedules, and delivery.
• Assist with annual business plans, forecasting models, and tactical initiatives aligned with regional and sector objectives.
• Work with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, municipalities, regulatory agencies, private-sector clients, EPC firms, and OEMs to address electrical, substation, and construction challenges.
• Maintain engineering discipline certifications and value propositions, including PE licensure, NERC compliance awareness, and industry best practices.
• Conduct needs assessments, workforce planning, and capability gap analyses to align expertise with grid reliability, load growth, renewable interconnections, and resiliency goals.
• Lead discipline meetings and provide updates on technical standards, innovations such as digital substations and IEC 61850, and project performance metrics.
• Develop and manage proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates for substation and electrical projects.
• Interpret technical reports and engineering documentation to support engineering decisions.
• Provide technical input to multidisciplinary teams and strategic technical advisory services to clients.
• Develop client relationships and expand services through cross-selling power delivery, renewable energy, and grid solutions.
• Mentor and develop staff in substation design, protection and control, power systems, and project delivery.
• Lead and manage engineering teams, including resource allocation, utilization, and technical oversight.
• Stay current with grid modernization, digital substations, BESS, renewable integration, and smart grid technologies.
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated energy solutions and serve as a trusted client advisor.
• Make ethical decisions in accordance with corporate governance, compliance standards, safety culture, and WSP’s Code of Conduct.
• Perform additional responsibilities aligned with business needs and project demands.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage.
• Retirement savings.
• Paid sick leave.
• Paid vacation or other personal time.
• Paid parental leave.
• Paid time off for bereavement, voting, and attendance at naturalization proceedings.

What This Job Offers

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