Substation Senior Project Engineer

WSP•The Woodlands, TX

4d•Hybrid

About The Position

Provides technical and design leadership within our Power & Energy Substations Business Unit to ensure substation electrical engineering subject matter expertise (SME), substation design, high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) systems, relay protection & control (P&C), SCADA integration, and power system studies are effectively applied across technical deliverables and utility infrastructure projects. Ensures all engineering designs, one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, wiring schematics, protection schemes, and equipment layouts are delivered with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable IEEE, NEC, NESC, and company standards for design, safety, and functionality. Responsible for driving innovation and administration related to substation automation, grid modernization, renewable energy interconnections, and transmission & distribution (T&D) systems, while ensuring corporate compliance with all Local, State, and Federal electrical engineering, construction, and safety regulations (OSHA, NFPA). Provides pragmatic technical direction to address current and future challenges in a rapidly changing and complex power delivery and energy infrastructure environment, including system reliability, load growth, resiliency, and digital substation technologies. WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.

Requirements

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or related field (Power Systems focus preferred) or equivalent experience in substation engineering and power delivery.
12+ years of relevant experience in electrical engineering, substation design, and infrastructure development for capital projects across power generation, transmission, and distribution (T&D) within utility, EPC, industrial, or commercial environments.
Professional Engineer (PE) License (multi-state preferred), with experience supporting utility projects, NERC-regulated environments, and permitting requirements.
Advanced proficiency with electrical engineering principles, including power systems analysis, relay protection & control (P&C), grounding, short circuit analysis, load flow studies, coordination studies, and application to design-build (EPC) and permitting activities.
Advanced proficiency with infrastructure and substation design, including AIS/GIS substations, high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) systems, bus configurations, transformer sizing, and equipment layout.
Strong working knowledge of electrical codes and standards (IEEE, NEC, NESC), OSHA/NFPA safety regulations, and applicable federal, state, and local permitting requirements, including compliance documentation and audit processes.
Advanced ability to perform engineering calculations and technical analyses, voltage drop, equipment rating, and to interpret drawings, plans, and technical specifications.
Ability to work independently while providing leadership and direction to mid- to senior-level staff, ensuring adherence to QA/QC processes, design reviews, and engineering standards.
Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to collaborate with engineering teams, project managers, clients, utilities, regulators, and executive leadership.
Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills, with the ability to prioritize in a fast-paced, deadline-driven engineering environment.
Proven ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams, utility stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and senior leadership, without direct authority.
Advanced proficiency with engineering and design software, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, Revit, Aspen (OneLiner), ETAP, CAPE, CYME, PSCAD, SKM PowerTools, WinIGS, and Inventor, along with strong skills in Excel-based modeling and data analysis tools.
Proven commitment to workplace safety, safe design practices, and compliance with HSE programs, including OSHA standards, job hazard analysis (JHA), and safety audits.
Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility to support multiple projects, shifting priorities, and evolving client and business needs.
Willingness and ability to travel to project sites, substations, client offices, and field locations as required for project execution, site inspections, and stakeholder meetings.

Nice To Haves

Master’s Degree in Engineering.
Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline-specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi-project environment is highly desirable.

Responsibilities

Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the electrical engineering discipline, including substation design, high-voltage (HV) systems, medium-voltage (MV) systems, relay protection & control (P&C), SCADA/automation, and power delivery (T&D), offering direction and technical expertise to ensure project and field deliverables are successfully executed.
Perform electrical engineering reviews of permit applications, substation design packages, one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, protection schemes, wiring schematics, grounding plans, and equipment specifications, ensuring compliance with IEEE, NEC, NESC, and applicable state/federal regulations and sound engineering practices.
Lead large-scale, complex substation and infrastructure projects (greenfield/brownfield, AIS/GIS substations), ensuring alignment on scope, schedule, and deliverables; manage project budgets, cost tracking, resource planning, and forecasting, and supervise EPC contractors, subcontractors, and multidisciplinary teams.
Drive business development and project execution for electrical infrastructure, substation, and transmission & distribution (T&D) projects within the region, supporting utility, renewable energy, and grid modernization initiatives.
Lead technical aspects of client presentations, technical 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.
Ensure profitable project performance, including margin management, cost control, schedule adherence, and successful project delivery.
Assist in developing and updating annual business plans, forecasting models, and tactical initiatives aligned with regional and sector goals.
Interface with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and private sector clients to address electrical, substation, and construction-related challenges.
Ensure engineering discipline certifications and value proposition are maintained, including PE licensure, NERC compliance awareness, and industry best practices in substation engineering.
Conduct needs assessments, workforce planning, and capability gap analyses to align technical expertise with grid reliability, load growth, renewable interconnections, and resiliency goals.
Lead engineering discipline meetings, providing updates on technical standards, substation innovations (digital substations, IEC 61850), and project performance metrics.
Serve as a key liaison with utility clients, EPC firms, OEMs, etc.
Develop and manage proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates for substation and electrical projects.
Interpret and analyze technical reports and engineering documentation to support sound engineering decisions.
Provide input to multidisciplinary teams (civil, structural, protection, commissioning) and deliver strategic technical advisory services to clients.
Develop and expand client relationships for substation and electrical engineering services, including cross-selling power delivery, renewable energy, and grid solutions.
Mentor and develop staff in substation design, protection & control, power systems, and project delivery best practices.
Provide leadership and performance management for engineering teams, including resource allocation, utilization, and technical oversight.
Stay current on emerging technologies and industry trends such as grid modernization, digital substations, battery energy storage (BESS), renewable integration, and smart grid solutions.
Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, future-ready energy solutions and act as a trusted advisor to clients.
Exercise ethical decision-making aligned with corporate governance, compliance standards, and safety culture, following WSP’s Code of Conduct.
Perform additional responsibilities aligned with business needs, operational priorities, and project demands.