Lead Substation Project Engineer

WSP; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 165,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work model

Comprehensive benefits

Paid time off

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Lead Substation Project Engineer in Columbus, OH to lead project teams and manage client relationships while overseeing the detailed design of medium to extra-high-voltage substations. The role supports hybrid work arrangements and requires experience across 15kV–345kV systems and IEEE/ANSI standards.

You will mentor junior staff, coordinate with multi-disciplinary teams, perform critical design calculations, and ensure QA/QC throughout project delivery.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent experience.
• 7–10 years of post-education experience as an electrical engineer on capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution.
• Experience in 15kV–345kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Proven leadership in managing multiple projects concurrently.
• Proficiency with CAD/engineering tools (CAD, Inventor, AutoCAD Electrical).
• Strong interpersonal and communication skills for engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Ability to work independently with minimal oversight and provide team leadership.

Responsibilities

• Lead project teams and manage client relationships.
• Oversee detailed design of medium to extra-high-voltage substations (one-line diagrams, SCADA, layouts, grounding, materials).
• Perform substation studies and calculations (AC/DC, voltage drop).
• Provide construction support and cross-disciplinary coordination.
• Mentor and train junior team members; ensure QA/QC compliance.

Skills

Project leadership

Client relations

Interpersonal communication

QA/QC

Mentorship

Independent work

Technical writing

Team coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Master’s Degree in Engineering

Tools

CAD

Inventor

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our Columbus, OH office.

Be involved in projects with our Power Delivery Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.

This Opportunity

This key leadership role involves leading project teams, managing client relationships, and overseeing the detailed design of medium to extra-high-voltage utility substations. This position offers the flexibility of a hybrid work environment, though the employee must live within a commutable distance of the office.

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

The Substation Project Engineer is responsible for supporting the Area Lead/Department Manager (AL/DM) in achieving department goals, maintaining our high-quality standards, and strengthening client relationships.

Project Management & Client Relations

• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and quality for assigned projects.
• Grow and manage relationships with local clients.
• Perform QA/QC for deliverables to clients.
• Support project reporting and proposal development.
• Contribute to substation equipment specifications.
• Occasional travel and site visits.

Technical Design & Execution

• Perform and direct others in the detailed design of medium to extra-high-voltage substations, including:
  • One-line, schematic, and wiring diagrams.
  • SCADA and Communications.
  • Station physical layouts, sections/elevations, and control enclosure details.
  • Cable and conduit plans and details.
  • Ground grid, foundation, and structural plans and details.
  • Lightning protection and yard lighting plans.
  • Bills of Materials.
• Perform substation studies and calculations (e.g., AC, DC, Lightning Analysis, Voltage Drop).
• Specify and select substation equipment.
• Provide construction support and inter-disciplinary coordination.

Team Support & Mentorship

• Support the mentorship and training of other team members.
• Shall understand and adhere to client standards and processes while working individually or within a team.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, tracking and organizing many tasks of varying importance and size.
• 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).
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Experience in 15kV through 345kV physical and electrical substation design, and IEEE/ANSI standards
• Proven experience in a project leadership role for several projects concurrently, including managing project teams
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Demonstrates competence and comprehensive knowledge concerning adjacent disciplines such as electrical civil engineering, transmission line, distribution, SCADA, and telecom.
• Experience with electrical infrastructure planning, design, and construction management.
• 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 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., CAD, 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.
• 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 work week.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• 10+ years of experience in utility substation design.
• Experience with and established positive relationships with local clients.
• Experience in 345kV through 765kV substation design.

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.