Electrical Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Design Engineer

HDR; Asheville (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 140,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Electrical / I&C Design Engineer in Charlotte, NC, to deliver electrical engineering and design for power generation facilities, including hydro, fossil, and renewables. Battery storage and microgrid experience is a plus.

Role includes leading the design team, coordinating with agencies for code compliance, and preparing equipment specifications and I/O/interface lists for plant control systems.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE or equivalent) license.
• Experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector.

Responsibilities

• Lead design team through schematic design development and contract documents.
• Coordinate with agencies for code compliance and reviews.
• Prepare design packages for generation and storage facilities.
• Develop I/O Lists and interface with the plant control system.
• Lead project teams and provide status updates as needed.

Skills

Electrical design

Power systems

ETAP/SKM/CDEGS

One-line / schematics

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

ETAP

SKM

CDEGS

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

AutoPipe

Revit

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

HDR is looking for an Electrical / I&C Design Engineer to join our team. This individual will be a key member of HDR’s rapidly growing engineering team and will provide day-to-day execution of electrical engineering and design deliverables for power generating facilities, primarily hydro, coal fired, simple cycle, combined cycle, and coal fired. Experience in battery storage and microgrid projects is beneficial. On a day-to-day basis, this individual will be expected to:

• Manage, lead and coordinate the work of the design team through the schematic design development and contract document phase of a project.
• Establish meetings and participate in reviews with various governing agencies for code compliance
• Manage and coordinate workload to complete the deliverable on schedule.
• Conduct work sessions at the project site in conjunction with the Project Manager and other disciplines
• Prepare detailed design packages for generation and storage facilities.
• Prepare engineering calculation and reports such as load flow, short circuit, grounding and arc flash studies.
• Modification projects include relay protection upgrades, inverter replacements, plant control system upgrades, excitation, governor, and power system upgrades.
• Manage, lead, mentor and develop less experienced electrical engineers and designers.
• Prepare major plant equipment specification for generators, oil-filled and dry-type transformers, medium and low voltage motors, switchgear, inverters, motor control centers, PLC and DCS control systems.
• Coordinate power plant electrical engineering design effort with other HDR disciplines and project personnel.
• Perform cable, raceway and equipment sizing calculations.
• Prepare cable and conduit schedules and routing drawings.
• Develop Input and Output (I/O) Lists and interface with the plant control system.
• Be responsible for testing and commissioning plans.
• Review engineering work deliverables.
• Lead project teams and provide status updates as needed.
• Maintain good relationships with peers, client organizations, vendor representatives and sub-consultants.
• Identify and develop new strategic relationships that will support winning and executing assignments for the Power Generation team and other groups within HDR.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Engineering
• A minimum of 7 years' experience in project execution with the Power Market Sector
• Engineering experience in the following areas:
  • Engineering design experience for hydroelectric, fossil and renewable power generation
  • Electrical powerhouse and balance of plant controls and power systems
  • Knowledge of large-scale power generation electrical and control systems (medium and low voltage switchgear and motor control centers, diesel generators, UPS systems, VFD’s, PLC’s, Excitation and Governor Systems)
  • Experience with detailed design for large power generation is highly desirable
  • Prior experience in a consulting engineering environment is highly desirable
  • Electrical System Design Software knowledge such as ETAP, SKM, and / or CDEGS is highly required.
  • Produce design drawings including one-lines, three-lines, schematics, general arrangements, connection diagrams, raceway drawings, and bill of materials
• Possess excellent written and verbal communication skills
• Occasional travel is required
• Local candidates are preferred

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license.
• Previous experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software. (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

Primary Location: United States-North Carolina-Charlotte

Other Locations: United States-South Carolina-Greenville, United States-South Carolina-Charleston, United States-North Carolina-Raleigh, United States-South Carolina-Columbia, United States-North Carolina-Winston-Salem, United States-North Carolina-Wilmington, United States-North Carolina-Asheville

Industry: Power

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Power Generation

Job Posting: Jan 26, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affiliation and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.