Physical Designer (Substation)

GFT; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 77,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work

Wellness programs

Parental leave

Pet insurance

401(k)

PTO

Tuition reimbursement

Professional development

Incentives

Job summary

GFT is seeking a Physical Designer (Substation) to lead high voltage substation design up to 500kV. The role offers options to work in multiple offices or fully remote from anywhere in the United States, with travel to sites as needed.

You will design, draft, and review substation layouts, grounding, conduit, and general arrangements using CAD tools, collaborate with lead engineers, and ensure safety, reliability, and cost targets.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of substation or electrical T&D design experience.
• Proficient in CAD tools (AutoCAD or MicroStation).
• Familiar with NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI standards.
• Ability to review vendor submittals and ensure design compliance.

Responsibilities

• Design and execute high-voltage substation projects 34.5kV–500kV.
• Generate designs and detailed engineering deliverables.
• Produce general arrangement, elevation, grounding, and conduit drawings.
• Perform basic engineering calculations.
• Follow supervisor instructions for complex design tasks.
• Create drawings with standard CAD tools.
• Perform calculations to establish manufacturing standards.
• Inspect installations for conformance to specs and safety.
• Oversee project production to ensure on-time, within-budget delivery.
• Travel to job sites for data gathering and assessment.

Skills

AutoCAD

Substation design

Electrical T&D

Vendor coordination

Field data gathering

Education

Associate Degree

Tools

MicroStation

Job description

What You Will Do

GFT is searching for a Physical Designer (Substation) to work in either Chicago, IL, St. Louis, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Marlon, NJ, Charlotte, NC, or Roanoke, VA office. An experienced Physical Designer could also work remotely anywhere in the United States (fully remote).

Joining the power team at GFT means engaging in cutting-edge projects that drive the future of energy infrastructure.

Our team excels in providing solutions for power transmission, distribution, and renewable energy, utilizing advanced technologies and creative problem-solving to meet today’s diverse energy needs. Be part of a dynamic group dedicated to enhancing system reliability, sustainability, and efficiency while shaping the energy landscape for a resilient and sustainable future. Discover some of our signature power and energy projects here.

What You'll Be Challenged To Do

This experienced Designer will be responsible for the physical design of high voltage substation projects through 500kv.

In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:

• Design and execution of high-voltage substations projects in the 34.5kV – 500kV range with an emphasis on project safety, cost, quality and reliability.
• Generate designs and detailed engineering deliverables working under the supervision of lead engineer
• Detail physical aspects of the engineering design such as general arrangement, elevation, grounding and conduit drawings
• Complete basic engineering calculations related to engineering deliverables
• Follow specific instructions of supervisor or engineers to perform the more complex design assignments requiring application of standard design principles and practices
• Use standard CAD tools to create drawings and related deliverables
• Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications
• Inspect completed installations and observe operations, to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational and safety standards
• Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time and within budget
• Prepare and study technical drawings and specifications of electrical systems, to ensure that installation and operations conform to standards and customer requirements
• Travel to job sites for job assessment and data gathering as needed. Return to the office with sufficient field notes to complete project

What You'll Bring To Our Firm

• 3+ years of relevant substation or general electrical T&D designing experience.
• Expertise in the use of computer-aided drafting tools such as AutoCAD or MicroStation
• Associate Degree strongly perferred
• Thorough knowledge of the following codes, National Electrical Safety Code (NESC), National Electrical Code(NEC), Institute for Electrical and Electronics Engineers(IEEE), American National Standards Institute (ANSI), and Design Guide for Rural Substations
• Ability to review and coordinate vendor submittals to ensure compliance with design parameters
• Knowledge of substation phase spacing and electrical clearance requirements for live conductors, switch components, and bus supports
• Ability to develop and review a complete set of construction documents (layouts, elevations, details, grounding plans and details, trench and conduit plans and details, single line diagrams, etc.) based upon project/client specification with little or no supervision
• Ability to create control enclosure layout, cable tray layout and details, and conduit drawings
• Knowledge of substation voltages, MV, HV, EHV
• Ability to develop and design substation duct bank
• Ability to interpret engineering calculations and studies and apply same to design requirements
• Ability to apply project schedules to complete tasks in a timely manner and within project budget
• Thorough knowledge of substation structures and equipment including connectors, insulators, switches, and all types of conductors and how they interconnect
• Knowledge in substation construction and/or commissioning techniques and industry standards
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence
• Proficiency to sketch single line diagrams, layouts, general arrangements, conduit plans, trench plans, grounding plans and other design documents with little or no oversight

What We Prefer You Bring

• Experience in the energy industry or a consulting services environment
• Skilled in 3D Modeling

Compensation

The salary range for this role is $77,000- $100,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.

Featured Benefits

• Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
• Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
• Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
• Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
• Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
• Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
• Incentive compensation for eligible positions.

Company Overview

At GFT, a privately held AEC firm, we innovate where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. We measure our success by the strength of our relationships – that’s why we’re the employer of choice for 5,000+ of the industry’s brightest engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more.

Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives.

GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™

GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

California Applicants

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

Applicants in the City of San Francisco - Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Applicants in the State of California - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.

Location: Remote, Chicago,IL, St. Louis, MO, Pittsburgh, PA, Phoenix, AZ, Marlon, NJ, Charlotte, NC, or Roanoke, VA

Core Business Hours: 8:00 AM – 5:00 PM

Employment Status: Full-Time