Senior Engineer, High Voltage Project

AES Corporation; Portland (ME); On-site; USD 113,000 - 142,000; Full time

Job summary

AES Corporation is seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to oversee HV EPC contractor design and construction for renewable energy projects across the Eastern US. The role focuses on substations from 35kV to 500kV, with emphasis on grid integration requirements for renewables and technical oversight during construction.

You will review designs, support commissioning, and collaborate with utilities, EPCs, and cross-functional teams. Travel to project sites is expected about a quarter of the time.

Qualifications

• B.S. Electrical Engineering with emphasis on Power Systems.
• 7+ years of substation design experience (Physical or P&C).
• 2+ years of HV project engineering experience.
• Proficient in reading control schematics for HV breakers/transformers.
• Basic knowledge of power system modeling (load flow, insulation coordination, grounding).
• Strong communication skills to lead technical discussions with HV EPCs and utilities.

Responsibilities

• Oversight of EPC contractor engineering design and construction for HV substations and lines (35kV–500kV).
• Establish and maintain relationships with HV contractors.
• Review Substation EPC designs for interconnection and reliability standards.
• Provide design review for issues in project documentation.
• Review power system studies (load flow, short circuits, harmonics).
• Coordinate with interconnection providers to design collector substations per requirements.
• Support substation commissioning by coordinating testing with utility/ISO.
• Work with project team across management, development, permits, finance, and construction.
• Travel and fieldwork ~25%, mostly in Eastern/Central US.

Skills

HV project coordination

Strong communication

Leadership in technical discussions

Organizational skills

Education

B.S. Electrical Engineering w/ Power Systems

Tools

ETAP

PLS-CADD

ASPEN

Job description

Are you ready to be part of a companythat’snot just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company witha teamof 8,300employees across 12 countries. AES has beenranked #1 byBloombergNEFin renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricityformillions of peopleworldwide. We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work rankings across the markets where weoperate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.

Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute's Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoringglobal leadership in advancing the electric power industry. If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it.

The High Voltage Engineering team delivers pre-construction engineering and construction / commissioning engineering for High Voltage facilities associated with renewable energy power plants. Voltage ranges from 35kV up to 500kV. We are currently looking for a dynamic and passionate substation engineer to oversee the execution of high voltage projects located in the Eastern United States portfolio (ERCOT, MISO, SPP, PJM, NYISO). The senior engineer for this position should enjoy the versatility of technical tasks with a strong focus on understanding grid integration requirements for renewables. The primary focus of this role is that of an owner's engineer to oversee high voltage designs from EPC firms contracted to design and build the high voltage facilities for our projects, and to provide technical oversight during the construction. Strong experience in detailed substation design preferred. This is a solid opportunity for a senior engineer that not only is proficient in the technical engineering aspects but enjoys building and maintaining relationships with suppliers, consultants, and electric utilities.

Principal Duties and Responsibilities:

• Responsible for oversight of EPC contractor engineering design and construction activities for Solar, Wind, and BESS collector high voltage substations and transmission lines (35kV to 500kV).
• Establish and maintain relationships with high voltage contractors.
• Review Substation EPC designs for compliance with interconnection agreement requirements, applicable reliability standards, standard industry practices, etc.
• Provide design review and advice on any issues that appear technically incorrect or inconsistent with project documentation.
• Review power system studies such as load flows, short circuits, harmonics, TOV, insulation coordination, etc.
• Direct coordination with interconnection providers to design collector substations per Transmission Provider requirements.
• Support role during substation commissioning by reviewing apparatus testing and coordinating testing with utility and ISO.
• Work with a project team including project management, development, interconnection, real estate, permitting, attorneys, finance, and construction in the field.
• Travel and fieldwork 25%. Majority of projects are located in Eastern or Central US.

Minimum Qualifications

• B.S. Electrical Engineering with emphasis on Power Systems.
• 7+ years of substation design experience, either Physical or P&C.
• 2+ years of project engineering experience in an HV related role.
• Proficient in readings control schematics for HV breakers, Main Power Transformers, etc.
• Basic Knowledge of power system modeling such as load flow, insulation coordination, grounding, arc-flash, TOV, harmonics, etc.
• Basic understanding of grid integration requirements for renewables.
• Strong communication skills and ability to lead technical discussions among HV EPCs, Power Utilities, and internal stakeholders.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to prioritize projects and tasks.

Desired Skills and Experience

• Project Management experience handling HV EPCs.
• PE Licensure.
• Technical lead experience coordinating engineering packages such as IFPs and IFCs.
• Experience with ETAP, PLS-CADD, or ASPEN.
• Experience in relay system testing.

AES is an Equal Opportunity Employer who is committed to building strength and delivering long-term sustainability through diversity and inclusion. Respecting all backgrounds, differences and perspectives enables us to improve the lives of our people, customers, suppliers, contractors, and the communities in which we live and work. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity and/or expression, race, national origin, ethnicity, age, religion, marital status, physical or mental disability, pregnancy, childbirth, or related medical condition, military or veteran status, or any other characteristic protected under applicable law. E-Verify Notice: AES will provide the Social Security Administration (SSA) and if necessary, the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) with information from each new employee's I-9 to confirm work authorization.

The expected salary for this position, at commencement of employment, is between $113,000 and $141,525/year; however, base pay offered may vary depending on multiple individualized factors, including market location, job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. The total compensation package for this position also includes annual bonus. The benefits offered for this position are: medical, dental, and vision coverage, life insurance, 401(k) eligibility, and paid time off (including vacation, sick leave time, and parental leave). Details of participation in these benefit plans will be provided if a candidate receives an offer of employment. If hired, employee will be in an "at-will position" and the Company reserves the right to modify base salary (as well as any other discretionary payment or compensation program) at any time, including for reasons related to individual performance, Company or individual department/team performance, and market factors.