HVDC/ HVAC Lead

Elia Grid International (EGI); New York (NY); Hybrid; USD 140,000 - 220,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement benefits

Paid time off

Professional development opportunities

International project exposure

Performance-based incentives

Job summary

Elia Grid International (EGI) is seeking an experienced HVDC/HVAC Lead to guide the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations and related transmission infrastructure in the United States. You will lead technical architectures, review supplier work, and translate design choices into cost, schedule, permitting and commercial implications while collaborating with developers, utilities, OEMs and internal teams.

Notably, travel within the U.S.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 8+ years in HVDC/HVAC and power systems.
• Experience with HVDC VSC technology; LCC is a plus.
• Experience with HVDC converter stations and HV substations.
• Strong understanding of protection & control systems.
• Experience with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, regulators.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations and related transmission infrastructure.
• Review and challenge technical work by OEMs, engineering contractors and external consultants.
• Translate project strategy, interconnection requirements and cost/schedule considerations into practical engineering solutions.
• Ensure proper integration between new facilities and incumbent substations, including protection coordination and grid interfaces.
• Support procurement, bid evaluation, clarifications, design reviews and contract negotiations.
• Communicate complex technical topics to commercial, legal, financial and executive stakeholders.

Skills

HVDC expertise

HVAC substations

Power systems

Communication skills

Stakeholder management

English fluency

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

HVDC/HVAC Lead

Elia Grid International (EGI) is a global power systems consultancy driving innovation and excellence across the energy sector. Building on the expertise of Elia Group (Belgium) and 50Hertz (Germany), EGI delivers strategic, technical, and regulatory advisory services to tackle complex challenges of the energy transition.

With offices in Belgium, Germany, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Canada, and the USA, EGI partners with clients worldwide to deliver high‑impact projects in power system planning, smart grid design & digitalization, asset management, HVDC, FACTS, and renewable integration.

As we continue to scale up and expand internationally, our ambition is to become a global leader in power systems consultancy, helping build resilient and sustainable energy systems worldwide.

Your Function

EGI is reinforcing its U.S.-based infrastructure team to support major transmission, interconnection and project development opportunities. We are looking for an experienced HVDC/HVAC Lead to guide the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations and related transmission infrastructure.

This is a technical leadership and development‑support role. The HVDC/HVAC Lead will help shape technical solutions for U.S. transmission opportunities, support competitive proposals, review and challenge work performed by OEMs and external consultants, and translate technical choices into clear implications for cost, schedule, permitting, interconnection, and commercial positioning.

You will work closely with project developers, transmission owners, utilities, ISOs/RTOs, OEMs, engineering contractors and internal EGI teams to ensure that technical solutions are reliable, constructible, compliant and aligned with project objectives.

Responsibilities

• Lead the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations and related transmission infrastructure.
• Support U.S. transmission development opportunities, including ISO/RTO solicitations, FERC Order 1000 processes, utility RFPs and other project development initiatives.
• Define and review technical architectures, equipment strategies, design basis documents, specifications, single‑line diagrams, protection & control concepts, and interface requirements.
• Review and challenge technical work performed by OEMs, engineering contractors and external consultants, ensuring that assumptions, deliverables, cost inputs, schedules and risks remain aligned with project strategy.
• Ensure proper integration between new project facilities and incumbent transmission owner substations, including protection coordination, control and communication interfaces, outage constraints and grid connection requirements.
• Evaluate alternative technical solutions in terms of reliability, constructability, cost‑effectiveness, schedule impact, permitting risk and competitive positioning.
• Support procurement and tendering activities, including technical scope definition, bid evaluation, clarifications, design reviews and contract negotiations.
• Translate system studies, interconnection requirements and regulatory constraints into practical engineering requirements.
• Identify and manage technical risks related to design maturity, equipment strategy, integration, commissioning, operational readiness, schedule, cost and compliance.
• Contribute to the development of EGI’s HVDC/HVAC expertise, technical partnerships and U.S. market positioning.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Typically 8+ years of experience in HVDC, HVAC substations, transmission engineering, power systems engineering or related infrastructure projects.
• Strong knowledge of HVDC converter stations, HVAC substations, transmission facilities and grid interconnection infrastructure.
• Demonstrated experience with HVDC VSC technology; LCC experience is considered an advantage.
• Experience with the design, specification, procurement, design review, construction support, testing, commissioning or operation of HVDC converter stations and/or high‑voltage AC substations.
• Strong understanding of primary equipment, protection & control systems, station layouts, grid connection requirements, technical interfaces, reliability standards and operational constraints.
• Experience working with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, transmission owners, OEMs, engineering contractors, developers or regulatory stakeholders.
• Ability to translate project strategy, interconnection requirements, system study outcomes, regulatory constraints and cost/schedule considerations into practical engineering solutions.
• Strong communication skills, including the ability to explain complex technical topics to commercial, legal, financial and executive stakeholders.
• Fluency in English and willingness to travel within the U.S. and internationally as required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Power Systems Engineering or a related discipline.
• Experience with U.S. transmission owner requirements, utility interconnection practices, NERC reliability expectations and ISO/RTO processes, including CAISO, PJM, SPP, MISO, NYISO or ISO‑NE.
• Familiarity with FERC requirements and relevant IEEE, IEC and CIGRÉ guidance applicable to HVDC, HVAC substations and high‑voltage transmission systems.
• Experience with offshore wind, long‑distance transmission, converter station development, FACTS, multi‑terminal HVDC or complex grid integration projects.
• Professional Engineer registration, or progress toward PE registration, is considered an asset.

Location & Work Arrangement

• U.S.-based role (preferably California or East Coast, New York area)
• Hybrid or remote, with regular travel to client sites, projects and EGI offices. Typically 25–40%, depending on projects and business development

Work Authorization

Candidates must be authorized to work in the U.S. Visa sponsorship may be considered depending on profile and business needs.

Compensation and Benefits

Final compensation will depend on location, experience, qualifications, and seniority. EGI offers a competitive benefits package, which includes health insurance, retirement benefits, paid time off, professional development opportunities, international project exposure and performance‑based incentives, subject to applicable company policies and local employment arrangements.

What We Offer

• Permanent or freelance employment in a fast‑growing international power systems consultancy;
• Attractive salary package and an extensive array of fringe benefits;
• Exposure to major U.S. and international transmission, interconnection and energy transition projects;
• Opportunity to contribute directly to the development of EGI’s U.S. platform and international infrastructure business;
• Unique training, personal development and growth opportunities;

Diversity and Inclusion

At EGI, we value diversity and inclusion. We are firmly committed to promoting gender equality in all aspects of our organization, from recruitment to professional development. We believe that diverse teams are more creative, innovative, and high‑performing.