Senior Substation Design Engineer

Placements24; Queenstown; On-site; NZD 97,000 - 141,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical aid

Retirement fund contributions

Professional growth opportunities

Job summary

Placements24 seeks a Senior Substation Design Engineer for an on-site role in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. You will lead detailed HV substation designs and coordinate with project teams to ensure safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery.

Requirements include a BEng/BSc in Electrical Engineering and 7+ years of substations experience, with CAD proficiency (AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation). The role supports grid modernization initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• 7+ years of progressive experience in electrical substation design.
• Experience with high‑voltage substations (33kV/132kV/275kV).
• Proficiency with CAD software such as AutoCAD Electrical and MicroStation.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering designs for electrical substations including single‑line diagrams and equipment specs.
• Specify HV equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, isolators, and surge arresters.
• Design protection and control systems including relay settings and SCADA integration.
• Perform earthing system design and analysis.
• Develop site layout plans with clearances and civil infra requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with national/international standards (SANS, IEC, IEEE).
• Coordinate design activities with civil, structural, and mechanical teams.
• Provide technical support during procurement, construction, and commissioning.
• Review vendor drawings and submittals for compliance.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to technical development.

Skills

Strong communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

MicroStation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a key player in the energy infrastructure development sector, is seeking a highly skilled Senior Substation Design Engineer for their operations in Queenstown, Eastern Cape. This role is primarily On-site, offering a crucial opportunity for hands‑on involvement in critical projects. You will be responsible for the detailed design of electrical substations, encompassing high‑voltage equipment, protection and control systems, earthing, and site layouts. The ideal candidate possesses extensive experience in substation design, a thorough understanding of relevant industry standards and codes, and the ability to lead design tasks from conception through to construction support. You will work collaboratively with project managers, construction teams, and other engineering disciplines to ensure the successful delivery of substation projects that are safe, reliable, and cost‑effective. This is a vital role in supporting the expansion and modernization of the energy grid.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed engineering designs for electrical substations, including single‑line diagrams, schematics, and equipment specifications.
• Specify high‑voltage equipment such as transformers, circuit breakers, isolators, and surge arresters.
• Design protection and control systems, including relay settings and SCADA integration.
• Perform earthing system design and analysis.
• Develop site layout plans, including clearances and civil infrastructure requirements.
• Ensure designs comply with national and international standards (e.g., SANS, IEC, IEEE).
• Coordinate design activities with other engineering disciplines, such as civil, structural, and mechanical.
• Provide technical support during the procurement, construction, and commissioning phases.
• Review vendor drawings and submittals to ensure compliance with design specifications.
• Mentor junior engineers and contribute to the team's technical development.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related field.
• Minimum of 7 years of progressive experience in electrical substation design.
• Proven expertise in designing high‑voltage substations (e.g., 33kV, 132kV, 275kV).
• Proficiency with CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation) and substation design tools.
• Strong understanding of power system principles, protection schemes, and earthing design.
• Familiarity with relevant industry codes, standards, and best practices.
• Excellent problem‑solving, analytical, and decision‑making skills.
• Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively with diverse teams.
• Experience in project management is a plus.

Benefits

Our client provides a competitive salary and a comprehensive benefits package, including medical aid, retirement fund contributions, and opportunities for professional growth and development. This position is based in Queenstown, Eastern Cape, offering a stable and supportive work environment. You will be part of a critical infrastructure project team, contributing to the development and maintenance of the region's energy network. Join a company dedicated to powering progress and ensuring reliable energy supply.