Physical Electrical Engineer / Principal Engineer

Dewberry; Merrifield (VA); On-site; USD 178,000 - 228,000; Full time

Job summary

Dewberry is expanding its Energy Market Sector and seeks a Physical Electrical Engineer to lead the growth of our medium and high voltage substation design practice in Merrifield, VA. This role combines technical leadership with talent development, standard-setting, and driving Dewberry's substation capabilities.

The candidate will oversee design packages, guide multidisciplinary teams, and ensure safety, constructability, and compliance with codes.

Qualifications

• Bachelor degree in electrical engineering is required.
• 20+ years of experience in medium/high voltage substation design.
• Professional Engineer (PE) licensure is required.
• Experience designing medium/high voltage substations and delivering design deliverables.
• Strong leadership and ability to manage engineering and design staff.
• Familiarity with NEC, NFPA Life Safety Codes and related standards.

Responsibilities

• Meet with prospective and existing clients to develop and capture new business.
• Coordinate with Energy PMO leadership and energy client managers.
• Develop responses to RFIs/RFPs and qualifications, including cost proposals.
• Serve as Project Manager for complex and volume-based projects.
• Collaborate with multi-discipline teams and manage project financials.
• Mentor staff and ensure quality control and standards compliance.

Skills

Leadership

Substation design

Project management

Client coordination

PE license

Knowledge of NEC/NFPA

Education

BS in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Job Description

Dewberry is expanding its Energy Market Sector and seeking a Physical Electrical Engineer to lead the growth of our medium and high voltage substation design practice. This is a unique opportunity to build and mentor a high-performing team while delivering impactful projects for some of the nation's leading utilities, government entities and private institutions.

Backed by the Energy Project Management Office and a network of more than 76 electrical engineers, the successful candidate will provide technical and strategic leadership in the design of medium and high voltage substations, including equipment layouts, bus configurations, grounding, conduit systems, cable routing, lightning protection, and electrical clearences. The role includes overseeing construction drawing packages, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring designs meet safety, operational, and constructability requirements.

Beyond technical expertise, this leader will play a key role in developing talent, establishing design standards, fostering innovation, and driving the continued growth of Dewberry's substation capabilities. Experience with protection and control systems is necessary and will further support success in this leadership role.

Dewberry is a leading, market-facing professional services firm with more than 60 locations and 2,500 professionals nationwide. What sets us apart from our competitors is our people. At Dewberry, we seek out exceptional talent and strive to deliver the highest quality of services to our clients. Whether you’re an experienced professional or a new graduate, you’ll have the chance to collaborate with the best and brightest and work on innovative and complex projects at the forefront of the industry. Our commitment to excellence stems from our personal integrity and from other defining attributes, which we call “Dewberry at Work,” that haveinspired our employees to be successful for more than a half-century.

Responsibilities

• Meet with prospective and existing clients to develop and capture new business;
• Coordinate with Energy PMO leadership and energy client managers;
• Develop responses to requests for proposals and qualifications, including cost proposals;
• Serve as Project Manager for complex and volume-based projects;
• Collaborate proactively and productively with other groups and company offices;
• Manage project financials and cash flow;
• Collaborate with and manage multi-discipline teams;
• Assist with training and mentoring staff;
• Engage with project deliverables including quality control reviews and quality management system adherence;
• Serve as subject matter expert for internal team members;
• Technical and quality oversight of all project work;
• Establishing/improving standards;
• Adherence to project design schedule and project budgets.;
• Monitor staffing (talent and capacity) and advise Energy PMO and Business Unit Manager on current and future needs;
• Work with operations and HR to recruit, develop, and retain top energy talent;
• Promote Dewberry’s culture, values, and commitment to long‑term client and employee success.

Required Skills & Required Experience

• BS in electrical engineering.
• 20+ years of experience including relevant experience working on medium and high voltage substation design projects.
• PE is required.
• Musthave experience designingmedium and high voltage substation electrical systems and producing design deliverable
• Proven leadership skills delegating to engineering and design staff.
• Must be a self-starter with initiative, drive and determination.
• Experience with regulated utility substation design standards for Exelon operating companies, National Grid, PSE&G, ConEd and others preferred.
• Candidate must have a good working knowledge of the National Electric Code (NEC), National Fire Protection Association (NFPA) Life Safety Codes, and other related Codes.
• Good verbal, written and interpersonal skills are essential for coordination with other disciplines, and client interface.

Don’t meet every single requirement? At Dewberry we are dedicated to building a diverse, inclusive, and authentic workplace for our employees. So if you’re excited about this role, but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly with every qualification in the position description, we encourage you to apply anyways. You may just be the right candidate for this or other opportunities.

*At this time, Dewberry will not sponsor a new applicant for work authorization.

*Dewberry is an Equal Opportunit Employer.All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability, protected veteran status, gender identity or sexual orientation.

Salary Range

The projected range for this position is $178,000 - $228,000 annually. Depending upon other factors, i.e., skills, experience, location, market conditions, the range may vary slightly.