Experienced Substation Electrical Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health, dental, vision coverage

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking an Experienced Substation Electrical Engineer for Boise, ID (also considering Reno, NV) to support planning, design, and construction of utility substations. You’ll produce drawings, calculations, and specifications while ensuring safety and functionality per industry standards.

You will collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams, review third-party deliverables, and develop detailed design packages. Travel may be required, and relocation is not offered at this time.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
• 3 to 5 years of relevant post-education experience in electrical engineering supporting substation design.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles and utility standards (IEEE/NESC).
• Experience with discipline-specific design software (AutoCAD, MicroStation, Inventor).
• Ability to coordinate with regulators, clients, and stakeholders.

Responsibilities

• Provide design assistance for substation drawings, one-line diagrams, and schematics.
• Review third‑party deliverables and project plans for accuracy.
• Develop GA drawings, substation layouts, and equipment arrangements.
• Create design calculations including load, sizing, and voltage drop.
• Produce technical documentation and reports for design findings.
• Support QA/QC and internal design reviews.

Skills

Substation design

IEEE/NESC standards

Project coordination

Technical writing

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Electrical

MicroStation

Inventor

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Experienced Substation Electrical Engineer for our Boise, ID office. The following location will also be considered: Reno, NV. Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.

This Opportunity

Provides technical assistance and guidance to support the planning, design, and construction support of utility transmission and distribution substations. Assist with the research, design, concept development, and delivery of substation physical design and/or protection & control (P&C) design packages, including drawings, calculations, and technical specifications. Produces accurate and concise documentation for substation equipment, materials, construction, and installation requirements. Ensures 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

• Collect, compile, and analyze data relating to substation equipment selection, equipment specifications, and utility standards for procurement package development, pricing, and IFR/IFC/As‑Built design and review processes; apply IEEE/NESC standards and utility/client requirements during design.
• Assist in reviewing third‑party substation design deliverables (drawings, equipment lists, calculations) and project plans.
• Perform professional electrical engineering work relating to the design of substation drawing packages, including one‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, wiring diagrams, and cable schedules.
• Support development of general arrangement (GA) drawings, substation layouts, bus arrangements, and equipment arrangements in coordination with civil/structural and other disciplines.
• Develop and/or support design of grounding grid systems and lightning protection in conformance with applicable standards and project requirements.
• Participate in concept development and detailed design for equipment sizing and cabling, AC/DC systems (battery/charger), control house/panel design, raceway (conduit/cable tray), and trenching design strategies that account for safety and functionality.
• Support senior engineers with research and recommendations on substation components and equipment applications, including manufacturer data review and coordination with vendors.
• Conduct site walkdowns/field verification as needed; provide technical assistance for engineering/design questions, construction issues, and field clarifications (RFIs).
• Develop electrical calculations including station service/load calculations, equipment sizing, feeder sizing, voltage drop, lighting calculations, and other project‑specific design calculations.
• Prepare technical documentation and deliverables including design narratives, calculation packages, sketches, and engineering reports for the interpretation or presentation of findings.
• Maintain quality control standards and procedures for accurate and precise design deliverables; participate in internal design reviews and QA/QC check processes.
• Work as an individual or as part of a cross‑functional team to execute project work, including drawing production coordination, quantity takeoffs, and ensuring design work conforms with specifications, permit requirements (as applicable), and project documentation standards.
• Assist with development and scoping of small‑to‑medium‑sized substation projects and work packages, including identifying key deliverables, assumptions, and design constraints.
• Conduct engineering studies and reviews to address substation design challenges, coordinate decisions, and support future planning needs.
• Collaborate with other engineers and disciplines and coordinate with clients, utilities, and stakeholders on electrical infrastructure 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 (or equivalent experience).
• 3 to 5 years of relevant post‑education experience in an electrical engineering capacity supporting the design of utility substation projects.
• Exposure to operations and project controls experience for purposes of reporting.
• Knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, and the application to design and project work‑related issues.
• Working knowledge of utility standards/specifications and applicable codes/standards used for substation design (e.g., IEEE, NESC; client standards).
• Experience supporting planning, design, and construction coordination, including rehabilitation and new design.
• Ability to coordinate with agency regulators and understand requirements as applicable to project scope.
• 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, such as AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, and/or Inventor, along with standard engineering tools.
• Critical thinking and problem‑solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions and develop practical design solutions.
• 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

• Engineer in Training (EIT) Certification.

Disclaimer

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

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.

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.