Lead Substation Electrical Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; Virginia Beach (VA); Hybrid; USD 119,600 - 213,200; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Health insurance

Retirement savings

Paid vacation

Paid parental leave

Job summary

WSP in the U.S. is seeking a Lead Substation Electrical Engineer to spearhead engineering efforts across complex substation projects within the Department of Defense (DOD). This role requires significant leadership in managing project execution, reviewing design documents, and mentoring junior engineers. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering and over 10 years of relevant experience, working in a fast-paced and collaborative environment.

Benefits include comprehensive health coverage, retirement savings, and generous paid leave policies.

Qualifications

• 10+ years of experience in electrical engineering with power distribution systems.
• Experience in DOD projects as a senior electrical expert.
• License as a Professional Engineer (PE) is required.

Responsibilities

• Lead and manage substation engineering efforts across multiple projects.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards and regulatory requirements.
• Guide and mentor junior engineers in project execution.

Skills

Electrical engineering

Technical writing

Project management

Interpersonal communication

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Master’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Inventor

MicroStation

SKM PTW

ETAP

Job description

WSP’s Federal Power and Energy Team

We are currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Electrical Engineer. The ideal candidate will be located in Boise, ID; Honolulu, HI; Virginia Beach, VA; or Huntsville AL; though other locations may be considered.

The Federal Power and Energy Team is a growing organization within the Federal Business Line focusing on mission critical facilities and energy infrastructure projects for the Department of Defense (DOD).

This role will lead the engineering efforts for substation projects across the US and internationally. Substation projects within the context of the DOD are typically 115kV, open air and GIS, and below projects, with most substations operating as metal clad switchgear and control enclosures operating at 35kV. It’s expected the project engineer will take a key role in performing or leading the engineering efforts for the substation design: site/civil, grounding, electrical considerations, SCADA, protection/relaying, lighting, and any climate control requirements.

As a key contributor, you will play a significant role in supporting complex substation design projects, managing project execution, and mentoring junior staff. This position offers the opportunity to thrive in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment and make a significant impact on our team and our projects.

Your Impact

• Review, comment and offer advice on third‑party design documents, procurement lists, and project plans.
• Perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work and technical reviews including the development of single lines, three lines, and wiring diagrams; general arrangements; equipment layouts and bus arrangements; grounding grid designs; lightning protection risk analysis and system design; conformance with industry standards, and support construction and operating permit applications as needed.
• Verify the characteristics of a site, providing technical input and guidance on various engineering, design, testing, maintenance modifications, and construction procedures and issues.
• Develop electrical calculations that include but are not limited to load analysis, short circuit analysis, protective device time‑current coordination study, arc flash analysis, voltage drop calculations, point‑by‑point yard lighting calculations, underground structure design, cable pulling tension calculations, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, protective device coordination and protective relaying device settings.
• Develop contract documents including but not limited to electrical plans, and specifications; preparing construction phasing and sequence of construction plans; and updating electrical infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub‑consultants, and clients.
• Work individually or as part of a cross‑functional team of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work on multiple concurrent projects; assist with installation layouts, calculating costs and quantities of material/equipment/labor, and ensuring project work conforms with owner project requirements, specifications, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Provide guidance and training to entry‑ and mid‑level engineers.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design and/or construction issues or opportunities.
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate‑ to high‑level risk mitigation activities.
• 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.
• 10+ years of relevant electrical engineering experience in the design and specification of medium voltage power distribution systems and 15kV through 115kV substations, medium voltage power distribution systems, grounding, lightning protection, and design experience providing design deliverables for large capital projects.
• Professional Engineering license (PE).
• Due to client requirements, US citizenship is required.
• Knowledge and experience with federal government project design with understanding of and direct application of UFCs, UFGSs, FCs, the NEC, ANSI/IEEE standards, NFPA standards, and ICC standards.
• Direct experience working as a consultant on DOD projects.
• Proven experience with client interaction as a senior electrical subject matter expert with an ability to lead and mentor others.
• Experience filling the role of electrical engineer for several substation projects occurring concurrently.
• Demonstrates competence concerning adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, SCADA, and telecom.
• Well‑defined specific knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements.
• Well‑developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of electrical engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non‑engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high level of self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline‑specific design software (i.e., Inventor, AutoCAD electrical), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well‑developed critical thinking and problem‑solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• 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 and/or hours.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering, or equivalent.
• 15+ years of experience in substation design.
• Experience up to 230kV substation design.
• Experience managing people on a multi‑disciplinary project team.
• Experience with MicroStation (V8 or newer), AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or Inventor.
• Solid foundation utilizing power distribution modeling software including SKM PTW and ETAP.
• SpecsIntact specification authoring and editing experience.

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): $119,600 - $213,200

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, 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.

Expected Salary (Colorado only): $119,600 - $200,100

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 Colorado, 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.