Lead Substation Project Engineer - Remote/Hybrid

WSP in the U.S.; Richmond (VA); Remote; USD 120,000 - 180,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our Richmond, VA office. The role offers remote work from within the United States and involves leading a power & energy substation team on complex utility, industrial, and commercial projects.

Responsibilities include data analysis, design reviews, GA drawings, grounding, and coordinating with multi-discipline teams. A strong background in electrical engineering and substation design is required.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• 7–10 years of relevant post-education experience in substation design for power projects.
• Experience with substation design and related engineering disciplines.
• Strong communication and leadership abilities.
• Knowledge of electrical codes, standards, and safety practices.

Responsibilities

• Lead data collection and analysis for substation equipment and materials.
• Review substation design drawings and vendor submittals.
• Develop GA drawings, substation layouts, and bus arrangements.
• Perform electrical engineering calculations for P&C design and grounding.
• Oversee cross-functional teams and manage budgets, hours, and resources.

Skills

Substation design

Electrical engineering principles

Technical writing

Discipline-specific design software

Coordination with teams

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our Richmond, VA office. Candidate may work remotely from any mutually acceptable location within the United States. 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

Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for multi-site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include the research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems in a wide variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and Federal, State, and local government projects). Substantiates reports and documentation to advise on material, installations, design, component, and construction specifications. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, 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

• Collect, compile, and analyze data related to substation equipment, materials, and systems, including development of procurement packages, equipment specifications, and pricing support, while applying applicable IEEE, ANSI, NESC, and utility standards.
• Assist in reviewing internal and third party substation design drawings, technical documents, vendor submittals, and project plans.
• Support development of general arrangement (GA) drawings, substation layouts, bus arrangements, and equipment arrangements in coordination with civil/structural and other disciplines.
• Develop and apply to sections, elevations and other supporting construction drawings.
• Develop and/or support design of grounding grid systems and lightning protection in conformance with applicable standards and project requirements.
• Create Bill of Materials, support in ordering, tracking and construction support for ordered material.
• Participate in concept development and detailed design for equipment sizing and cabling, AC/DC systems (battery/charger), control house/panel design, raceway (conduit/cable tray), and trenching design strategies that account for safety and functionality.
• Provide technical design support related to site conditions, constructability considerations, and coordination with physical, civil, and other engineering disciplines.
• Conduct site walkdowns/field verification as needed; provide technical assistance for engineering/design questions, construction issues, and field clarifications (RFIs).
• Develop electrical engineering calculations supporting P&C design, including auxiliary power systems, voltage drop, and related substation electrical analyses.
• Coordinate, review and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for smaller and less-complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.
• Apply high-level electrical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work relating to the design of single line, three line, wiring diagrams, general arrangement, substation layout and bus arrangement, grounding grid design and lightning protection in conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.
• Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short circuit study, protective device coordination, one-line diagram development, protective relaying, and substation switchyard layouts.
• Develop and review plans, specifications, and cost estimates, construction safety and phasing plans, and updating electrical infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.
• Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design and construction of electrical infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, site development, grading, drainage, equipment layout, elevations, specifications, building materials, phasing, and construction safety plans.
• Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, concepts, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design, and/or construction issues or opportunities.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.
• 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.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing substation design deliverables for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.
• Extensive knowledge of substation design.
• Demonstrates competence and comprehensive knowledge concerning adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, physical, civil, structural, SCADA, and telecom.
• Experience with electrical substation planning, design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation, new design, and construction projects.
• 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, 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.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer License.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policies.

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.