Substation Physical Design Engineer

WSP; Airdrie; On-site; CAD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A Canadian engineering firm is looking for a Substation Physical Design Engineer to join their team in Airdrie, Alberta. The candidate will take on impactful projects designing electric substations for medium and high-voltage utility systems. Ideal applicants should have 5 to 10 years of relevant experience and a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering. The company supports a flexible work environment and offers attractive benefits.

Benefits

Flexible work options

Attractive pay

Comprehensive benefits including virtual healthcare

Qualifications

• 5 to 10 years of experience in utility substation design.
• Experience with 15kV through 138kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Professional license (P.Eng) or P.L. (Eng.) is a plus.

Responsibilities

• Mentor and direct others in the detailed design of substations.
• Perform calculations for lightning protection and conduit sizing.
• Develop technical specifications and design criteria.

Skills

Utility substation design

Mentoring

Technical specifications development

AC station service sizing

Calculations for grounding

Education

Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering

Electrical Engineering Technology Diploma

Tools

MicroStation

AutoCAD

BIM software

Job description

The Opportunity

Our Power subsector, a key component of WSP’s ERI (Energy, Resources and Industry) sector, supports clients from coast to coast. Over the decades, we have developed a comprehensive range of services, including technical study preparation in niche areas, project management, detailed design, and site services. Our expertise is widely recognized in the market for both development and rehabilitation projects. Our team of experts collaborates to provide services that align with our vision of meeting and exceeding the highest industry standards through innovation.

To meet our growth challenges, WSP is currently seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer to join our National Electrical Team, located in one of our offices in Alberta. We are also open to candidates based out of our offices in Saskatchewan or British Columbia.

Join WSP as a Substation Physical Design Engineer and help power the future!
In this role, you’ll take on challenging and impactful projects, designing electric substations for medium and high-voltage utility systems and renewable energy interconnections. You’ll apply industry codes and standards to create innovative, reliable solutions—producing physical layouts, plan and elevation views, grounding analyses, conduit and cable trough plans, and detailed construction documents. From equipment specifications to bills of materials, your work will set the foundation for safe and efficient energy systems. You’ll collaborate with internal teams and external stakeholders to ensure milestones are met and expectations exceeded. At WSP, you’ll be part of a dynamic, highly experienced team committed to delivering exceptional engineering services and shaping a sustainable energy future.

Be involved in projects with our Power Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our client’s objectives and solves their challenges!

Why choose WSP?

• We value and are committed to upholding a culture of inclusion and belonging
• Our Flexible Work Policy– we recognize the importance of balance in our lives and encourage you to prioritize the balance in yours. We will support you on and off the job so you can be fully present in both your work and home lives.
• A Canadian success story - we’re proud to wear the red and white of this beautiful country and show the world what Canada has to offer.
• Enhance the world around you - from the environment to the highways, to the buildings and the terrain, WSP is the fabric of Canada.
• Outstanding career opportunities - we’re growing and pushing ourselves every day to be greater than yesterday – we’re open to your ideas and trying new things.
• A phenomenal collaborative culture and a workforce filled with genuinely good people who are doing humbly important work. Come find out for yourself what it’s like to be a part of our journey.

We offer attractive pay, flexible work options, a great corporate culture, comprehensive and employee-focused benefits including virtual healthcare and a wellness platform as well as great savings programs, and a clear vision for the future.

#WeAreWSP #ERIcareersWSP #ERIcarrièresWSP

What you can expect to do here:

• Perform, mentor, and direct others in the detailed design of medium to high voltage utility substations.
• Perform detailed design of one-line diagrams, general arrangements, elevation views, conduit and cable routing, substation physical layouts, ground grid layouts and equipment details.
• Perform calculations: Lightning Protection, Battery Sizing, AC Station Service Sizing, Conduit / Cable tray sizing, etc.
• Develop technical specifications and design criteria.
• Occasional travel will be required.

What you’ll bring to WSP:

• Bachelor of Science Degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology Diploma.
• Five (5) to Ten (10) years of experience in utility substation design as outlined below.
• Experience in 15kV through 138kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Proven experience taking a written design basis memorandum (DBM) or scope of work (SOW) and developing a detailed physical substation design and drawing package using sound engineering judgement and industry/client standards with minimal oversight, and cross‑coordinate effectively with civil, P&C, and studies engineers.
• Previous experience in the role of substation design engineer for multiple projects occurring concurrently (brownfield and greenfield projects).
• Proven ability and desire to mentor and teach others in a high‑paced design project environment.
• Professional license (P.Eng) or P.L. (Eng.) a plus.
• Experience in 230kV through 500kV substation design a plus.
• Experience with MicroStation (V8 or newer) or AutoCAD (2016 or newer) a plus.
• Experience performing design in BIM software (Inventor, P4A, Primtech) also an asset.

#LI-Hybrid