Senior Physical Designer

Mesa Associates, Inc; Knoxville (TN); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 110,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm in Knoxville, TN is seeking a Senior Substation Physical Designer with over 8 years experience specializing in high voltage substations. Responsibilities include designing equipment and systems, creating detailed drawings using AutoCAD and Microstation, and mentoring juniors. The role offers a hybrid work model with occasional travel to project sites in the Southeast. Ideal candidates possess extensive knowledge of substation design and demonstrate a strong leadership mindset.

Qualifications

• 8+ years of experience designing physical equipment and systems for substations.
• Extensive knowledge of high, medium, and low voltage substation design.
• Strong learning mindset and ability to mentor and lead others.

Responsibilities

• Design physical equipment and systems for electrical substations.
• Create drawings for electrical switchgear, transformers, and grounding.
• Generate physical design drawings using AutoCAD and/or Microstation.
• Collaborate with engineering teams and mentor colleagues.

Skills

Substation design

AutoCAD

Microstation

Mentorship

Job description

Senior Substation Physical Designer

PDS – 3 / Power Delivery Substation (hybrid) located in Knoxville, TN.

Responsibilities:

• Design physical equipment and systems for high, medium, and low voltage electrical substations.
• Create drawings for electrical switchgear, transformers, electrical bus work (rigid/flexible), conduit/raceway, grounding, and lightning/static protection.
• Generate and maintain physical design drawings—including One Lines, Electrical Arrangements, Conduit/Grounding layouts/detail, Equipment Plans/Elevations, and Bills of Material—using AutoCAD and/or Microstation.
• Collaborate with engineering teams, mentor colleagues, and demonstrate leadership in design projects.
• Travel for occasional overnight trips to substations in Arkansas, Southeast Texas, Louisiana, and Mississippi.

Qualifications:

• 8+ years of experience designing physical equipment and systems for substations.
• Extensive knowledge of high, medium, and low voltage substation design.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD and/or Microstation design software.
• Strong learning mindset, self‑starter, and ability to mentor and lead others.