Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation)

SSOE; Columbus (OH); On-site; USD 130,000 - 170,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Annual bonus

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Paid holidays

Professional development

Job summary

SSOE is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation) to lead the design of medium and high‑voltage substations for utility, municipal, and industrial clients.

The role focuses on safe, reliable, and efficient designs that meet client requirements and applicable standards. You will coordinate with multidisciplinary teams and may serve as the engineer of record on projects.

Travel to site for commissioning and QA/QC is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET‑accredited program; PE license preferred; EIT required if PE not yet obtained.
• 12+ years of related experience in substation design and engineering; license optional per company discretion.
• Knowledge of HV (>115 kV)/MV substations, switchgear design, yard layout, and LV plant interfaces.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, ETAP or similar power system analysis software; relay settings experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead design of medium and high‑voltage substations with budget, schedule, and quality accountability.
• Prepare substation layouts, one‑line and three‑line diagrams, schematics, and specs.
• Coordinate steel structures, foundations, grounding grids, buswork, raceways, and conduits.
• Specify and select substation equipment (transformers, breakers, switchgear, relays).
• Support field construction, respond to RFIs, and review major items.

Skills

HV/MV substation design

Power system analysis

Project leadership

Communication & teamwork

Regulatory compliance

Education

ABET-accredited Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

AutoCAD

ETAP

Protection relay settings/configuration

Job description

Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation)

Job Locations: US-OH-Toledo | US-TN-Nashville | US-MI-Troy | US-TX-Austin | US-AL-Birmingham | US-AL-Huntsville | US-OH-Columbus

SSOE is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation) to lead the design of medium and high‑voltage electrical substations for utility, municipal, and industrial clients. This role focuses on creating safe, reliable, and efficient substation designs that meet client requirements, regulatory standards, and SSOE’s quality benchmarks. The engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and cost‑effective solutions, and will often serve in responsible charge for project deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Interpret, organize, execute, and coordinate large substation engineering assignments with responsibility for budget, schedule, quality, and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Plan and develop engineering projects involving unique or complex problems, offering specialized expertise in substation engineering.
• Prepare substation layouts, one‑line and three‑line diagrams, schematics, and technical specifications.
• Coordinate designs for steel structures, foundations, grounding grids, buswork, raceway, and conduit systems.
• Specify and select substation equipment (e.g., transformers, breakers, switchgear, relays, instrument transformers).
• Perform power system studies and analyses to support design decisions (load flow, short‑circuit, protection coordination, arc‑flash).
• Provide design support during construction, respond to RFIs, and review/approve major items involving materials, equipment, and field construction.
• Stamp/seal drawings and documents, including those for which you serve as the professional in responsible charge, per applicable jurisdictional statutes.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of engineers and designers assigned to the project; participate in mentoring activities within the department.
• Maintain liaison with internal and external stakeholders, acting independently on technical matters within the substation discipline.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, NESC, and utility standards, as well as SSOE quality procedures.
• Implement safety protocols for high‑voltage environments within design practices and during construction support.

Coordination

• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, AHJs, and utility representatives to ensure design accuracy and constructability.
• Review vendor drawings and perform QA/QC checks on design deliverables; coordinate multidiscipline interfaces.

Innovation

• Integrate SCADA systems, networking, and protective relaying into substation designs and upgrades.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and sustainability practices applicable to substation engineering.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program; PE license preferred. EIT required if PE not yet obtained.
• 12+ years of related practical experience in substation design and engineering. Experience in lieu of professional license may be considered at SSOE’s discretion.
• Demonstrated knowledge in HV (>115 kV)/MV substation/switchgear design and substation yard layout; utility coordination; LV (480 V/400 V) plant power distribution interfaces; onsite generation (standby, prime, cogen, renewables) and UPS systems.
• Proficiency with design and analysis tools such as AutoCAD, ETAP or similar power system analysis software, and protection relay settings/configuration.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and teamwork skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.

Preferred Expertise

• Experience with SCADA integration, arc‑flash studies, and protective device coordination for substations.
• Prior experience reviewing vendor drawings, performing QA/QC, and providing field/commissioning support.

Travel & Licensing

• Travel required for site visits and commissioning activities.
• Valid driver’s license required (may be waived for international assignments).
• Maintains continuing professional education as required by registered states (voluntary or mandatory).

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $130k – $170k / year depending on location, education, experience, and certifications.
• Bonus and Incentives: Eligibility for our annual target bonus/incentive program based on company and individual performance and goals.
• Ownership Opportunities: As an employee‑owned firm, we offer ownership opportunities to all employees at the associate level and above.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, professional development and training, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Additional Perks

• Dynamic Culture: Supportive culture where you are an essential and highly valued member of our team.
• Exciting Projects: Work on innovative projects from inception to completion with global, market‑leading clients.
• Continuous Learning: A culture that celebrates curiosity, welcomes new ideas, and supports career growth.
• Career Stability: Diverse market sectors, project types, and geographies help insulate your career from economic cycles.
• Career Advancement: Structured career journey with abundant opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Holistic Compensation: Benefits that support wellbeing, work‑life balance, and financial success.