Early Career Substation Drafter

WSP; Overland Park (KS); On-site; USD 42,000 - 65,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Early Career Substation Drafter in Overland Park, Kansas. You will learn CAD standards, assist with substation layouts, schematics, and drawings, and support engineers in design tasks with a focus on precision and compliance.

You will collaborate with the Power Delivery and Energy Substation Team, work under supervision, and develop skills in drafting software and industry practices while contributing to project success.

Qualifications

• Minimum 0–1 years drafting and design support experience.
• Associate or technical degree in drafting or related field.
• Strong English communication skills for team collaboration.
• Familiar with drafting principles, codes, and documentation practices.

Responsibilities

• Assist with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from sites and drawings.
• Draft physical/civil layouts, schematics, and wiring diagrams for substations.
• Use 3D CAD software to prepare precise drawings.
• Provide basic design support ensuring GD&T and tolerances.
• Verify calculations and interpretations of plans; escalate issues.
• Collaborate with engineers and cross-functional teams.

Skills

Attention to detail

Independent worker

Team collaboration

Analytical mindset

Written and verbal communication

Learning orientation

Education

Associate's/technical drafting degree

High School Diploma

Related discipline degree preferred

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Autodesk Raster Design

Bentley Descartes

ProjectWise File Management

Job description

WSP, is currently initiating a search for an Early Career Substation Drafter for our Overland Park, Kansas. The following location will also be considered: Joplin, MO. Be involved in projects with our Power Delivery and 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 POWER'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.
• Work collaboratively with the engineer-in-charge and other technical professionals on assigned project phases, segments, checks, and tasks.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exhibit basic knowledge of current drafting and design support practices.
• 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.
• 0-1 years relevant post education experience in discipline with prior drafting and design support experience.
• Associate's/technical degree in an accredited drafting program, or sufficient industry 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.
• Proven track 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 is preferred.
• Essential professional licensure/certification.
• 1+ year drafting experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation, preferably in an engineering work environment.
• Experience with Autodesk Raster Design and/or Bentley Descartes.
• 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 and Excel.
• Experience with ProjectWise File Management System.
• Reliable, detail-oriented self-starter who takes ownership of assigned tasks

Disclaimer

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.