Senior Electrical Engineer - Substation (Houston)

Burns & McDonnell; Houston (TX); On-site; USD 120,000 - 170,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell in Houston seeks a Senior Substation Engineer to lead design deliverables for high‑voltage substations from 13kV to 765kV. You will guide disciplines through design and construction, align with budget, and ensure compliance with IEEE/NESC standards. Leadership, communication, and client liaison are essential.

The role includes field inspections, proposal preparation, and schedule/budget management. PE preferred, and 72‑hour posting window applies.

Qualifications

• Abet-accredited degree in EE or EET with required years of substation experience.
• Excellent written/verbal communication and analytical skills.
• PE license strongly preferred.

Responsibilities

• Leads substation design from concept through completion.
• Develops design packages including physical arrangement and protection.
• Performs electrical studies such as grounding and lightning analysis.
• Produces cost estimates, BOMs, and equipment specs.
• Ensures QA/QC and client satisfaction throughout.

Skills

Substation design

Project leadership

Client coordination

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

ABET Electrical Engineering

FE exam + ABET Electrical Engineering Technology

Tools

Microsoft Office Suite

Job description

Description

The Senior Substation Engineer will lead the preparation of design deliverables for new and modified high-voltage (13kV to 765kV) electrical power substation projects. The Senior Substation Engineer will work with the project team through the design and construction process, adapting engineering plans according to budget constraints, design factors, or client needs.

• Leads substation projects from the conceptual phase through completion.

• Leads the preparation and development of substation design packages, including—but not limited to—physical arrangement above and below grade, protective relaying and control, electrical studies such as grounding and lightning analysis, and lighting and security.

• Leads the development of substation calculations, including—but not limited to—insulation, AC station service, DC systems and battery sizing, voltage drop, cable sizing, and conduit fill.

• Leads the preparation of design sketches, cost estimates, equipment specifications, bill of materials, and other required deliverables.

• Applies advanced knowledge of IEEE, NESC, and other industry and utility standards, guides, specifications, and procedures.

• Leads field inspections for substation facilities on public and private utility systems.

• Leads execution of complex assignments requiring the use of advanced tools and techniques, resulting in the development of new or improved processes, equipment, and/or technological methods.

• Identifies, communicates, and leads resolution of issues on projects as needed.

• Manages project schedule and meets deadlines for the deliverables under supervision.

• Manages project budget for the deliverables under supervision.

• Works closely with the project team to ensure deliverables and services are being provided to the client’s satisfaction and that projects are following internal QA/QC guidelines.

• Performs design quality reviews.

• Meets and corresponds with clients or outside personnel to develop relationships with key client points of contact.

• Leads the preparation of proposals, including schedule and budget estimates.

• Performs other duties as assigned.

• Complies with all policies and standards.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program and 7 years of substation project or related experience required, consulting experience preferred

• Or, Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related degree from an ABET accredited program and successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and 7 years of substation project or related experience required, consulting experience preferred.

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proficient computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite)

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.

• Desire to work in a collaborative team environment.

• Demonstrated leadership skills.

• Must be capable of applying diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices to broad areas of assignments.

• Must be capable of devising new approaches to problems encountered.

• Professional Engineer (PE) License strongly preferred.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

Job Engineering

Primary Location US-TX-Houston

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 25 % of the Time