Physical Design Engineer

Brooksource; Richmond (VA); On-site; USD 48,000 - 55,000; Full time

Job summary

Brooksource's Fortune 300 utility client is hiring an Associate Engineer to join the physical design team within their Electric Transmission Substation Engineering department, helping shape the future of a high voltage electric grid operating from 69 kV to 500 kV.

You will support detailed design and construction review for the physical design of electrical substations, covering both new construction and upgrades to existing facilities. Occasional travel up to 25% may be required.

Qualifications

• 0–2 years of engineering experience in internship, co-op, academic project, coursework, or early-career role.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil preferred) that satisfies applicable Engineer job-series criteria.
• Basic understanding of AC/DC fundamentals.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to independently plan and organize work assignments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including technical writing.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to interpret codes, regulations, and practices.

Responsibilities

• Support detailed design and construction review for the physical design of electrical substations, covering both new construction and upgrades to existing facilities.
• Create and maintain standard drawings for electrical, mechanical, and control systems.
• Develop engineering packages and perform calculations and analysis to make sure designs comply with industry standards.
• Exercise independent judgment in evaluating and selecting engineering techniques and criteria, adapting your approach to moderately complex challenges.
• Prepare and review key substation documents, including one-line diagrams, general arrangements, elevations, conduit and foundation plans, cable schedules, ground grid plans, and bills of material.
• Collaborate with other disciplines on grading plan development, steel structures, and bus design.
• Make site visits to support construction activities, with occasional site work and travel (up to 25%) that can include outdoor conditions and exposure to energized equipment.

Skills

AC/DC fundamentals

Time management

Oral communication

Independent work

Analytical thinking

Regulatory interpretation

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Autodesk Inventor

Job description

Associate Engineer - Substation Physical Design

12-month Contract-to-hire

$35-$40/hr.

Applications will be accepted until at least October 29th, 2026.

Position Summary:

Brooksource's Fortune 300 utility client is hiring an Associate Engineer to join the physical design team within their Electric Transmission Substation Engineering department, helping shape the future of a high voltage electric grid operating from 69 kV to 500 kV.

Projects include greenfield and brownfield substations, data center related work, and renewable generation interconnects. In this role, you will support detailed design and construction review for the physical design of electrical substations, covering both new construction and upgrades to existing facilities.

Responsibilities:

• Support detailed design and construction review for the physical design of electrical substations, covering both new construction and upgrades to existing facilities.
• Create and maintain standard drawings for electrical, mechanical, and control systems.
• Develop engineering packages and perform calculations and analysis to make sure designs comply with industry standards.
• Exercise independent judgment in evaluating and selecting engineering techniques and criteria, adapting your approach to moderately complex challenges.
• Prepare and review key substation documents, including one-line diagrams, general arrangements, elevations, conduit and foundation plans, cable schedules, ground grid plans, and bills of material.
• Collaborate with other disciplines on grading plan development, steel structures, and bus design.
• Make site visits to support construction activities, with occasional site work and travel (up to 25%) that can include outdoor conditions and exposure to energized equipment.

Minimum Qualifications:

• 0-2 years of relevant engineering experience in either an internship, co-op, academic project, coursework, or early-career role. A partial year of 6 months or more counts as one year, and an advanced degree can count as one year of experience.
• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil preferred) that satisfies applicable Engineer job-series criteria.
• Basic understanding of AC/DC fundamentals.
• Strong time management skills, with the ability to independently plan and organize work assignments.
• Strong oral and written communication skills, including technical writing.
• Ability to work effectively both independently and in a team environment.
• Strong analytical thinking and problem solving skills.
• Ability to interpret codes, regulations, and practices.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Familiarity with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
• Experience with 3D design or Autodesk Inventor.
• Understanding of three phase power systems.
• Understanding of transmission and/or distribution principles and applications.
• Electric utility industry experience.

What's in it for you?

Brooksource, Medasource, and Calculated Hire are part of the Eight Eleven Group family of companies and operate under Eight Eleven Group, LLC. All employees receive the same benefits, policies, and terms of employment.

EEO Statement:

Brooksource is an equal opportunity employer that does not discriminate on the basis of actual or perceived race, color, creed, religion, national origin, ancestry, citizenship status, age, sex or gender (including pregnancy, childbirth, lactation and related medical conditions), gender identity or gender expression, sexual orientation, marital status, military service and veteran status, physical or mental disability, protected medical condition as defined by applicable state or local law, genetic information, or any other characteristic protected by applicable federal, state, or local laws and ordinances.

Brooksource offers competitive medical, dental, vision, Health Savings Account, Dependent Care FSA, and supplemental coverage with plans that can fit each employee's needs. We offer a 401k plan that includes a company match and is fully vested after you become eligible, paid time off, sick time, and paid company holidays. We also offer an Employee Assistance Program (EAP) that provides services like virtual counseling, financial services, legal services, life coaching, etc.

Pay Disclaimer:

The pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law