Intermediate Substation Designer

WSP; Hallowell (ME); Hybrid; USD 56,000 - 76,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking an Intermediate Substation Designer to join our Hallowell, ME office. This role provides local technical design and CAD support for electric utility substation projects, with potential focus on physical substation design and/or protection & control (P&C) design.

You will collaborate with engineers to produce designs, layouts, and material lists, ensuring accuracy, code compliance, and high-quality deliverables for projects in the northeast region.

Qualifications

• 5+ years of post-education experience in drafting and design support.

Responsibilities

• Assist with data collection and analysis to support substation design deliverables.
• Use 3D CAD software with engineers to resolve design details and prepare precise drawings.
• Prepare high-precision drawings and BOMs for substation packages.
• Verify calculations and interpretations of plans; escalate issues as needed.
• Collaborate with cross-functional teams and ensure compliance with standards.
• Prepare multiple design versions for review by engineers.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.

Skills

Drafting & design support

3D CAD

Data analysis

Team collaboration

Attention to detail

Education

High School Diploma

Associate’s Degree in related discipline

Tools

AutoCAD

AutoCAD Electrical

MicroStation

Job description

WSP is currently initiating a search for an Intermediate Substation Designer for our Hallowell, ME office. Remote option may be available for candidates residing in the northeast region.

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

Takes part in providing local technical design and CADD support on projects to produce designs and specifications to be used for planning, transportation, infrastructure, and technical services business lines. This role will support electric utility transmission and distribution substation projects and may focus on physical substation design and/or protection & control (P&C) design support. Tasks may include generating CADD designs on various assigned aspects of projects of basic to moderate scale and/or complexity. Generates accurate and concise design phase deliverables including reports, technical memoranda, design manuals, plans and profiles, models, sections, details, specifications, and material lists as applicable to substation design packages (e.g., general arrangement drawings, equipment layouts, conduit/cable/trench layouts, wiring diagrams, schematics, and bill of materials). Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, accuracy, and functionality.

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.

Your Impact

• Assist with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from the physical work site, surveys, structural concepts, blueprints, schematics, data, verbal or written specifications, technical drawings, rough sketches, diagrams, and other matrices to support drafting and design activities for substation physical and/or protection & control (P&C) design deliverables.
• Under minimal supervision, use 3D computer-aided design and drafting (CADD) software and work closely with engineers to resolve design details or discrepancies, and to prepare drawings which require a high degree of precision on projects of basic complexity and/or scope.
• Provide routine technical design assistance that accounts for the proper illustration, fit form, and function using geometric dimensioning, tolerance and quantity calculations, while ensuring the construction and maintainability of designs according to design standard specifications and applicable utility/substation standards.
• Assist with verifying calculations, design, change orders, interpretation of contract plans and specifications, recognizing basic construction or engineering problems and escalating any differences, errors, or technical problems for appropriate resolution.
• Work with cross-functional teams in executing project work.
• Assure plans adhere to city code, state and federal regulations and utility/substation design standards, as applicable to the project.
• Prepare multiple versions of designs for review by engineer.
• Ensure the specification of dimensions, materials, and procedures for assigned projects, ensuring compliance with contract requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the engineer-in-charge and other technical professionals on assigned project phases, segments, checks, and tasks.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exhibit basic knowledge of current drafting and design support practices related to substation design packages (physical and/or protection & control (P&C)).
• 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

• High School Diploma.
• Minimum of 5 years of relevant post education experience in discipline with prior drafting and design support experience, including support of electric utility substation projects involving physical substation design and/or protection & control (P&C).
• Must be legally authorized to work in the United States at the time of hire without current or future employer sponsorship.
• Highly familiar with drafting and design support principles, practices, process, methods and techniques.
• Highly familiar with relevant codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Sound interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non-technical audience.
• Sound self-leadership with attention to detail, accuracy, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, and comply with company policies.
• Ability to work independently with minimal supervision, as well as part of a team to meet business objectives.
• Analytical mindset to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Basic proficiency with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from data collation, calculations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective 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

• Associate’s Degree in closely related discipline is preferred.
• Experience using AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and/or MicroStation to produce or support substation physical and/or protection & control (P&C) drawing packages.

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:

Expected Salary (all locations): $55,600 - $76,340

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, 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.