Electrical Engineer - Physical Substation

Sterling Engineering; Minneapolis (MN); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401(k) match

Profit sharing

PTO & holidays

Life/AD&D/Disability insurance

Tuition reimbursement

Adoption assistance

Mental health resources

Career growth

Job summary

Sterling Engineering, a Minneapolis-based EPC contractor, seeks an Engineer III or Engineer IV – Physical Substation to lead design of utility-scale substations up to 500 kV for renewable energy and battery storage projects. This role offers leadership of physical substation design efforts and collaboration with multidisciplinary teams.

You will mentor junior engineers, coordinate with project teams, and support proposals, procurement, and construction while maintaining safety and quality across

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited BSEE or equivalent.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• 4+ years of related engineering experience; 7+ years also listed in requirements.
• Experience designing utility-scale substations, power systems, or renewable energy facilities.
• Willingness to travel up to 30%.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Experience leading projects and mentoring engineering teams.

Responsibilities

• Design medium- and high-voltage utility substations for renewable energy, battery storage, and transmission projects up to 500 kV.
• Develop physical substation layouts, equipment arrangements, and detailed design packages.
• Coordinate with Design Phase Managers, Project Managers, and multidisciplinary teams.
• Perform engineering calculations, technical studies, and QA/QC reviews.
• Develop technical specifications and fabrication/construction packages.
• Review vendor quotations and equipment selections.
• Provide technical support for proposals, procurement, construction, and field activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on large design projects.
• Verify construction activities comply with engineering drawings, standards, and safety requirements.
• Support multiple projects while maintaining schedules, budgets, and quality objectives.

Skills

Substation design

QA/QC procedures

Engineering calculations

Technical leadership

Communication skills

Travel up to 30%

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE)

ABET-accredited program

Tools

AutoCAD

CDEGS

Procore

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Location:

Minneapolis, MN (Preferred) | Denver, CO | Fargo, ND | San Antonio, TX

Compensation:

• 401(k) with Generous Company Match
• Profit Sharing
• Paid Time Off & Paid Holidays
• Employer-Paid Life, AD&D & Disability Insurance
• Tuition Reimbursement
• Adoption Assistance
• Mental Health & Work-Life Resources
• Career Growth with a Top EPC Contractor

About the Opportunity:

Our client is seeking an Engineer III or Engineer IV – Physical Substation to support the design of utility-scale substations for renewable energy and battery storage projects up to 500 kV. This role offers the opportunity to lead physical substation design efforts, collaborate with multidisciplinary engineering teams, and work with some of the largest utility customers in the United States. Candidates will be considered at either the Engineer III or Engineer IV level based on experience.

Key Responsibilities:

• Design medium- and high-voltage utility substations for renewable energy, battery storage, and transmission projects up to 500 kV.
• Develop physical substation layouts, equipment arrangements, and detailed engineering design packages.
• Coordinate with Design Phase Managers, Project Managers, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Perform engineering calculations, technical studies, and QA/QC reviews.
• Develop technical specifications and fabrication/construction packages.
• Review and evaluate vendor quotations and equipment selections.
• Provide technical support for proposals, procurement, construction, and field activities.
• Mentor junior engineers and provide technical leadership on large design projects.
• Verify construction activities comply with engineering drawings, standards, and safety requirements.
• Support multiple projects while maintaining schedules, budgets, and quality objectives.

Qualifications / Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or related ABET-accredited engineering program.
• Experience designing utility-scale substations, power systems, or renewable energy facilities.
• Strong understanding of substation design principles, QA/QC procedures, and engineering standards.
• Experience with engineering calculations, design optimization, and technical problem-solving.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to travel up to 30%.
• 4+ years of related engineering experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Strong understanding of discipline-specific technical designs, QA/QC procedures, and engineering policies.
• 7+ years of related engineering experience.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license required.
• Demonstrated experience leading projects and mentoring engineering teams.
• Strong understanding of discipline-specific technical designs, QA/QC procedures, and engineering policies.

Software

• AutoCAD
• CDEGS
• Procore
• Microsoft Excel

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, or genetic information.