Lead Substation Physical Engineer

Leidos LLC; Chicago (IL); On-site; USD 108,000 - 195,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos LLC is seeking a Lead Substation Physical Engineer to drive high-impact substation design projects. You will lead a design team, review critical drawings, and ensure safe, reliable layouts for 12 kV to 500 kV systems for grid modernization efforts.

Successful candidates will have 8+ years in substation design, strong grounding/lighting analysis experience, and the ability to coordinate with internal teams and clients. Occasional site visits and travel are expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering with 8+ years of substation physical design experience.
• Experience performing grounding studies, lightning protection analysis, and lighting studies.
• Ability to communicate clearly with internal teams and clients to support project needs.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines in fast-paced or high-pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment and provide leadership when needed.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and client locations as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the delivery of substation physical design projects, ensuring technical excellence and on-time performance.
• Read, design, and review essential substation drawings, including one-lines, three-lines, plan-and-section views, grounding layouts, and foundation designs.
• Create and verify bills of materials for substation physical components, ensuring precision and alignment with project requirements.
• Conduct site visits at customer locations to gather data, validate designs, and support successful project execution.
• Maintain QA/QC and compliance with project scope, schedule, and budget.

Skills

Substation design

Electrical grounding studies

Team leadership

Client communication

Deadline adherence

Travel flexibility

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

WinIGS

CDEGS

CAD software

Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Your greatest work is ahead! We’re seeking a Lead Substation Physical Engineer to take a key role in delivering high‑impact substation physical design projects. You’ll work on utility systems ranging from 12 kV to 500 kV, contributing to major grid‑modernization efforts and supporting how renewable generation connects to the grid. In this role, you’ll apply your expertise in digital logic design and AC/DC circuits to develop safe, reliable, and efficient substation physical layouts. From equipment arrangement to grounding and structural components, you’ll help shape the next generation of substation projects powering communities. Successful candidates can look forward to a fast paced, diverse work environment and flexible work hours/work arrangements as well as managers who will encourage career development and growth including: Professional Engineer License (PE). Project Management Professional (PMP). Technical & Non-Technical Training Opportunities. Leadership Opportunities. Mentorship & Training Opportunities. Opportunity to Lead, Grow, and Inspire a Dynamic Team

The Challenge

The Challenge: Lead and support the delivery of substation physical design projects, ensuring technical excellence and on‑time performance. Partner closely with internal engineering groups and external clients to understand needs, align expectations, and deliver solutions that exceed standards. Perform detailed QA/QC reviews on substation physical design packages, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and compliance. Read, design, and review essential substation drawings, including one‑lines, three‑lines, plan‑and‑section views, grounding layouts, and foundation designs. Create and verify bills of materials for substation physical components, ensuring precision and alignment with project requirements. Conduct site visits at customer locations to gather data, validate designs, and support successful project execution. Successful candidates must comply with quality control and safe work practices and maintain compliance with project scope, schedule, and budget. This position will be a member of a design team comprised of engineers, designers, and CAD technicians and will work with client standards to implement design.

What Sets You Apart

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 8+ years of substation physical design experience.
• Experience performing grounding studies, lightning protection analysis, and lighting studies.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and clients to support project needs.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and stay organized in fast‑paced or high‑pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment, contribute to group success, and provide leadership when needed.
• Self‑starter who can take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical abilities with a track record of solving engineering challenges both independently and collaboratively.
• High level of computer competency and comfort working with engineering tools and software.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and client locations as needed.

You Might Also Have

Engineer Intern (“EI” or “EIT”) professional certification. Professional Engineer (“PE”) License. Working knowledge of protection and control design Experience with bus calculation Experience with WinIGS or CDEGS Master’s degree in related field.

WHAT WE DO

Leidos is a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Utilities and mobile operators rely on our Power Delivery Services Team for reliable power and telecommunication expertise, as reflected through our work with more than 50 investor‑owned utilities, more than 160 municipals/cooperatives, as well as a growing number of mobile operators, local utility providers and private developers. In addition to providing engineering and project management services, Leidos works with an established group of industry‑leading construction partners delivering meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader is confirmed by the latest national rankings by Engineering News‑Record (ENR) ranking Leidos within the Top 10 T&D Firms, and Top 10 Power Firms. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We’re already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. PowerDelivery PDSSUBSTATION If you’re looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We’re not hiring followers. We’re recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail.

Pay and Benefits

Pay and benefits are fundamental to any career decision. That's why we craft compensation packages that reflect the importance of the work we do for our customers.

• Employment benefits include competitive compensation, Health and Wellness programs, Income Protection, Paid Leave and Retirement.

Pay Range: Pay Range $107,900.00 - $195,050.00

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $17.2 billion for the fiscal year ended January 2, 2026.