Substation Electrical Engineer III

Bowman Consulting; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Job summary

Bowman Consulting is seeking a Senior Design Engineer III, Substations to join our North Carolina team. You will lead advanced substation design efforts, provide technical leadership, and mentor Substation Design Engineers across projects, ensuring safety, reliability, and adherence to standards.

The role requires strong communication with cross-functional teams, external firms, and stakeholders, plus hands-on review of drawings, calculations, and specifications to deliver high-quality

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in substation engineering or power delivery.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred; required for approval authority in some jurisdictions.
• Deep knowledge of substation equipment, layouts, grounding, and protection interfaces.
• Proficiency with engineering design and analysis software.
• Strong working knowledge of utility standards and construction practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering document management systems.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical engineering on substation projects of high complexity, scope, or risk.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to Substation Design Engineers.
• Act as an engineering point of contact for cross-functional teams, contractors, and external engineering firms.
• Influence engineering standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.
• Lead engineering execution for new substations, major expansions, and system upgrades.
• Review and approve substation design packages, calculations, and specifications.
• Interpret and apply industry standards and codes (IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC) and internal design criteria.
• Support capital planning efforts through technical input, feasibility studies, and cost/schedule estimates.
• Participate in design reviews, safety risk assessments, and constructability evaluations.
• Coordinate engineering deliverables with Protection & Control, Transmission Line, Civil, Environmental, Construction, and Operations teams.
• Provide engineering support for outages, energized work planning, and emergency restoration as needed.

Skills

Substation design

Technical leadership

Mentoring

Cross-functional collaboration

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

Engineering design software

Job description

Short Description

Bowman has an opportunity for a Senior Design Engineer III, Substations to join our team in North Carolina.

Purpose

Provides advanced engineering expertise for the planning, design, and execution of substation projects. This role leads complex and high‑impact engineering efforts, applies seasoned technical judgment, and ensures substation designs are safe, compliant, constructible, and aligned with company standards and long‑term system strategy.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Direction

• Serve as a lead technical engineer on substation projects of high complexity, scope, or risk.
• Provide technical mentorship and guidance to Substation Design Engineers.
• Act as an engineering point of contact for cross‑functional teams, contractors, and external engineering firms.
• Influence engineering standards, best practices, and continuous improvement initiatives.

At The Operational And Company Level

• Lead engineering execution for new substations, major expansions, and system upgrades.
• Review and approve substation design packages, calculations, and specifications.
• Interpret and apply industry standards and codes (IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC) and internal design criteria.
• Support capital planning efforts through technical input, feasibility studies, and cost/schedule estimates.
• Participate in design reviews, safety risk assessments, and constructability evaluations.
• Coordinate engineering deliverables with Protection & Control, Transmission Line, Civil, Environmental, Construction, and Operations teams.
• Provide engineering support for outages, energized work planning, and emergency restoration as needed.

Do the Work

• Develop and review advanced substation engineering deliverables, including:
• One‑line, three‑line, and AC/DC schematics
• General arrangement and equipment layout drawings
• Grounding system designs and calculations
• Equipment specifications, requisitions, and technical evaluations
• Perform and validate engineering calculations (AC/DC loading, grounding, conductor clearances, etc.).
• Lead vendor drawing and data reviews to ensure technical compliance and quality.
• Resolve complex design and field issues during construction, testing, and commissioning.
• Ensure engineering documentation is accurate, complete, and properly archived.

Success Metrics and Competencies

• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Highly motivated and problem‑solving attitude.
• Strong sense of urgency in responding to constituents.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to quality.
• Self‑reliance and ability to operate independently with limited direction.
• Effective working relationship with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple time‑sensitive tasks.
• Data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Complex substation projects delivered safely, on schedule, and within budget.
• Engineering designs meet or exceed quality, reliability, and compliance expectations.
• Reduced rework and field issues through sound engineering judgment.
• Effective technical leadership and mentorship of less experienced engineers.
• Advanced substation engineering expertise (physical and/or electrical).
• Strong technical judgment and problem‑solving skills.
• Leadership without authority.
• Clear written and verbal communication.
• Cross‑functional collaboration.
• Risk awareness and safety leadership.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline.
• 5+ years of progressive experience in substation engineering or power delivery.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred; required for approval authority in some jurisdictions.
• Deep knowledge of substation equipment, layouts, grounding, and protection interfaces.
• Proficiency with engineering design and analysis software.
• Strong working knowledge of utility standards and construction practices.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office and engineering document management systems.

Benefits

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Discretionary bonuses and other performance‑based incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and employee discounts

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Primarily indoor professional office environment which may include bright/dim light, noise, fumes, odors, and traffic.
• Mobility around an office environment.
• Frequent and prolonged use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Partially outdoor work environment which may include adverse weather conditions, varying temperatures, excessive noise, and/or potential hazards.
• Mobility around a job/construction site to include walking, bending, crawling, climbing, squatting, or kneeling and wearing of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Primarily local travel during the business day, although some out‑of‑the‑area and overnight travel may be required according to the needs of the business.
• Occasional lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional pushing or pulling up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional reaching outward or above shoulder.

Job Description Disclaimer

Note: While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary at any time with or without notice.

Bowman is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you’d like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here. Bowman has an obligation to provide and maintain a safe, healthy, and productive environment for its employees and clients. We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol‑free workplace. If you have any questions about the application process, please email [e-mail].