Early Career Substation Drafter

WSP; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 45,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Early Career Substation Drafter for our Columbus, Ohio office. This role supports the Power & Energy Substation Team and helps deliver client-centered CAD designs.

You will learn client standards, apply CAD knowledge, and collaborate with engineers to produce substation layout drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams while ensuring accuracy and safety. Initial training includes standards, procedures, and software.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma or equivalent.
• Associate/technical drafting degree or equivalent experience.
• 0-1 year drafting/design support experience preferred.
• Good written and verbal English communication.

Responsibilities

• Assist with gathering and organizing data from sites, drawings, and specs.
• Create substation layout drawings, schematics, and wiring diagrams.
• Use 3D CAD software to produce precise design details.
• Follow client standards and WSP procedures.
• Collaborate with engineers and cross‑functional teams.
• Ensure plans meet city/state/federal code requirements.
• Prepare multiple design versions for review by engineers.
• Adhere to safety policies and ethical guidelines.

Skills

English communication

Attention to detail

Team collaboration

Education

High School Diploma

Drafting associate degree

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Autodesk Vault

Bentley ProjectWise

Autodesk Raster Design

Bentley Descartes

Autodesk Inventor

AutoCAD Electrical

Bluebeam Revu

Job description

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Early Career Substation Drafter for our Columbus, Ohio office.

Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients’ objectives and solves their challenges.

This Opportunity

The successful candidate will be responsible for learning, understanding, and implementing CAD knowledge; learning client standards, practices, and procedures to ensure that work produced conforms to the client's standards and expectations; being responsible for knowing and following WSP's standards, procedures, and processes; collaborating on design issues; and seeking guidance from those with more experience.

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.

Your Impact

• Under general supervision, assist with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, structural concepts, blueprints, schematics, data, verbal or written specifications, technical drawings, rough sketches, diagrams, and other matrices to support drafting and design activities.
• The position entails drafting and design opportunities on substation projects that include physical and civil layout drawings, as well as schematics and wiring diagrams.
• Under general supervision, use 3D computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software to assist with basic design details and prepare drawings which require a high degree of precision.
• Provide basic technical design assistance that accounts for the proper illustration, fit, form, and function using geometric dimensioning, tolerance and quantity calculations, while ensuring the construction and maintainability of designs according to design standard specifications.
• Assist with verifying calculations, design, change orders, interpretation of contract plans and specifications, and escalating any issues or technical problems for appropriate resolution.
• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work.
• Assure plans adhere to city code, state, and federal regulations.
• Prepare multiple versions of designs for review by engineer.
• Ensure the specification of dimensions, materials, and procedures for assigned projects, ensuring compliance with contract requirements.
• Collaborate with the engineer-in-charge and other technical professionals on assigned project phases, segments, checks, and tasks.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• Associate's/technical degree in an accredited drafting program, or sufficient industry experience.
• 0-1 years relevant post education experience in discipline with prior drafting and design support experience.
• Strong command of the English language with good written and oral communication skills in order to work effectively with other team members.
• Familiar with drafting and design support principles, practices, process, methods, and techniques.
• Familiar with relevant codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Excellent research and evaluation skills with analytical mindset
• Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Capable self-leadership with attention to detail, ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, and comply with company policies.
• Ability to work independently under general supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Experience with Autodesk Vault
• Experience with Bentley ProjectWise
• Proven 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.
  

Preferred Qualifications

• Associate’s degree in closely related discipline.
• Essential professional licensure/certification.
• 1+ year’s drafting experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation, preferably in an engineering work environment.
• Experience with Autodesk Raster Design and/or Bentley Descartes.
• Experience with Autodesk Inventor and/or AutoCAD Electrical
• Experience with Bluebeam Revu
• Experience interpreting substation electrical schematics and wiring diagrams, and/or substation physical/civil drawings.
• Experience working with scaled drawings.
• Working knowledge of survey coordinate systems.
• Experience with Microsoft Word, OneNote and Excel.
• Reliable, detail-oriented, self-starter who takes ownership of assigned tasks.

Disclaimer

• Relocation is not available for this role.