The Project Electrical & Substation Engineer leads the design, integration, and execution of electrical systems, supporting utility-scale power generation and grid interconnection projects within an Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) environment. This position is responsible for the technical definition, coordination, and execution of electrical scope as part of the Balance of Plant (BOP) systems, ensuring alignment across all project disciplines. The role supports all project phases, from concept and detailed design through procurement, construction, and commissioning, ensuring successful integration of electrical and substation systems into the overall plant.
Responsibilities
- Electrical System Design & Engineering
- Translate project requirements into complete engineering deliverables including Issued for Construction (IFC) drawing packages and specifications.
- Lead the design of high and medium voltage (HV/MV) electrical equipment, including generator step up transformers (GSUs), unit auxiliary transformers (UATs), high voltage breakers, disconnects, grounding switches, air and gas insulated switchgear (AIS/GIS), motor control centers (MCCs), protection and control schemes, and transmission line terminations and interconnections.
- Lead the development and review of key electrical deliverables including one-line and three-line diagrams, substation and plant electrical layouts, cable schedules, routing, electrical schematics, wiring diagrams and installation details, grounding, lighting, and auxiliary power systems.
- Support electrical studies including short-circuit, load flow, arc flash, relay coordination, and grounding analysis.
- Ensure compliance with IEEE, NEC, NESC, ANSI, NERC, and utility interconnection requirements.
- Integrate new HV/MV systems with existing substations, plant electrical systems, and facility/utility infrastructure.
- Interface with mechanical engineering and controls engineering teams.
- Manage electrical deliverables through Document Control, including submittals, transmittals, and revision control.
- Technical Coordination & Project Execution
- Review client specifications and support proposal engineering.
- Serve as the primary electrical interface.
- Identify and resolve design conflicts, interface issues, and scope gaps.
- Track engineering progress, risks, and schedule impacts.
- Support the Project Management team with reporting, deliverable tracking, equipment fabrication, testing status, and change management.
- Develop specifications for major electrical equipment including power transformers, breakers and disconnects, instrument transformers (CTs/VTs), protection relays and control panels, grounding, and surge protection equipment.
- Lead technical bid evaluations and vendor selection.
- Review vendor drawings, calculations, and documentation for compliance with codes, standards, utility requirements, and the approved project design.
- Support third party inspections and factory acceptance tests (FATs).
- Ensure proper closure of Non-conformance Reports (NCRs), punch lists, and corrective actions.
- Develop construction specifications and installation instructions.
- Provide technical support during installation and commissioning of equipment.
- Resolve Requests for Information (RFIs) and constructability challenges.
- Provide field support for commissioning activities including transformer energization, relay testing and protection validation, Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and Distributed Control System (SCADA/DCS) integration, functional testing and system energization.
- Participate in Site Acceptance Tests (SATs), Integrated Test Plans (ITPs) and grid-interconnection testing.
- Verify completeness of as-built documentation, turnover packages, and commissioning records.
Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related field (PE Preferred).
- Minimum 10 years of experience.
- Strong knowledge of HV/MV substation design, power transformers and protection systems, plant electrical systems, grounding, and control systems.
- Experience with AutoCAD, ETAP, SKM, EasyPower, and/or substation design tools.
- Strong coordination, communication, and problem-solving skills.
Primarily office based, but must have the ability and willingness to travel to project sites as required. Ability to manage multiple priorities and multiple projects in a fast-paced project environment.