Experienced Substation Design Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; Orlando (FL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA seeks an Experienced Substation Design Engineer (Physical and/or Protection & Controls) for Maitland, FL. The role focuses on design, development, and construction of high‑voltage substations in a collaborative team.

The position supports hybrid or in‑office work with remote consideration for proven candidates. You will assist with data analysis, design verification, and preparation of technical reports for transmission and distribution projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and 3–5 years in electrical engineering focused on power transmission/distribution.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management in utility or industrial settings.
• Engineer in Training Certification or equivalent.
• Familiarity with design software (AutoCAD Electrical, ETAP) and related regulations.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical guidance for the design, development, and construction of high-voltage substations (15kV–345kV, up to 500kV preferred).
• Analyze data and specifications for procurement packages, IFR/IRC design, and IEEE/NERC/NESC compliance.
• Review third-party designs, procurement lists, and project plans for accuracy and compliance.
• Develop layouts (GA, bus, grounding, lightning protection) and protection system schematics for substations.
• Create electrical calculations: loads, sizing, voltage drop, ground networks, lighting, and distribution.
• Prepare reports, tables, charts, sketches, and visualizations to support analyses.

Skills

Substation design

P&C engineering

IEEE/NERC standards

Data analysis

Project coordination

Technical writing

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

ETAP

CADD electrical

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Experienced Substation Design Engineer (Physical and/or Protection & Controls) for our Maitland, FL office. Be involved in projects with our Power Delivery Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. A hybrid or in-office work setup is preferred to foster collaboration and mentorship, but remote work will be considered for candidates with proven experience.

This Opportunity

Provides technical assistance and guidance for the due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects in the public and private sector. Assist with the research, design, concept development, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems in a wide variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and Federal, State, and local government projects). Generates accurate and concise reports and documentation regarding material, installations, component, and construction specifications. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Provide technical assistance and guidance for the design, development, and construction of high-voltage substation projects, focusing on physical and/or protection & controls (P&C) engineering for voltages from 15kV to 345kV (required) and up to 500kV (preferred).
• Collect, compile, and analyze data relating to substation components, equipment specifications for procurement package development and pricing, IFR/IRC design and review processes, and IEEE/NESC Standards/NERC regulations for design work.
• Assist in reviewing third-party design documents, procurement lists, and project plans.
• Perform professional electrical engineering work relating to the design of substation physical layouts (general arrangement, bus arrangement, grounding grid, lightning protection) and/or protection & control systems (single line, three line, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, relay settings) for 15kV–345kV substations.
• Participate in incorporating future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design requirements with equipment sizing and cabling, AC/DC panel design, and conduit and trenching design strategies that account for the safety and functionality of end-users, systems, and infrastructure.
• Support senior engineers with research and recommendations of fundamental components identified in design requirements, as well as field equipment applications and operations.
• Verify the characteristics of a site, providing technical assistance on various engineering, design, testing maintenance modifications, and construction procedures and issues.
• Develop electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, feeder sizing, voltage drop, grounding, lighting circuits and controls, facility and electrical service, and power distribution.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, accurate reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of data, findings, or analyses.
• Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise measurements, statistical analysis, and reporting.
• Work as an individual or as part of a cross-functional team of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work, assist with laying out installations, calculating costs and quantities of material/equipment/labor, and ensuring project work conforms with specifications, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Assist with development and scoping of small- to medium-sized projects.
• Contribute to the preparation of technical reports and presentations that explain research and findings to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design and/or electrical engineering issues or problems.
• Conduct engineering studies and surveys to gain further information on a particular design and construction problem or issue and/or to plan for future needs.
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for low to mid-level risk mitigation activities.
• Assist in the preparation and implementation of site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Work collaboratively with other engineers and disciplines on projects with electrical infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects.
• 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

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 3 to 5 years of relevant post education experience in an electrical engineering capacity designing power transmission and distribution systems in utility or industrial/commercial environments.
• Engineer in Training Certification.
• Exposure to operations and project controls experience for purposes of reporting.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including rehabilitation and new design.
• Ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements.
• Knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Capable interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Effective self-leadership with attention to detail, results orientation, and managing multiple priorities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
• Moderate proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Experience with discipline-specific design software (i.e., CADD, Aspen, CAPE, ETAP), AutoCADD electrical.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• 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

• Experience with substation design for voltages from 345kV up to 500kV.
• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Engineer in Training Certification

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of California, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

About WSP

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice To Third Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.