Electrical Instrumentation & Controls (I&C) Design Engineer

HDR; Columbia (SC); On-site; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking an Electrical / I&C Design Engineer to join our engineering team in Columbia, South Carolina. The role involves managing the design team for power generation projects and ensuring compliance with regulations.

Ideal candidates will have a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, a minimum of 7 years of experience, and expertise in electrical system design and project execution within the Power Market Sector. Full-time employment with a commitment to equity and equal opportunity is offered.

Qualifications

• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board.
• Minimum of 7 years’ experience in the Power Market Sector.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Responsibilities

• Manage design team and coordinate project phases.
• Prepare engineering calculations and reports.
• Conduct site work sessions with the Project Manager.

Skills

Electrical system design expertise

Communication skills

Project execution in Power Market Sector

Design software knowledge (ETAP, SKM)

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Master's degree in Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

AutoCAD

PLS CAD

Job description

HDR is seeking an Electrical / I&C Design Engineer to join our engineering team to support power generation projects across diverse plant types.

Responsibilities

• 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 (e.g., 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.

Location and Employment Details

• Primary Location: United States – North Carolina – Charlotte
• Other Locations: United States – South Carolina – Greenville, South Carolina – Charleston, North Carolina – Raleigh, South Carolina – Columbia, North Carolina – Winston-Salem, North Carolina – Wilmington, North Carolina – Asheville
• Industry: Power
• Schedule: Full-time
• Employee Status: Regular
• Business Class: Power Generation
• Job Posting: Jan 26, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity and are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer.