Senior Substation Designer

WSP in the U.S.; Minneapolis (MN); Hybrid; USD 96,000 - 117,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Substation Designer for our Minneapolis, MN office. You will provide technical design and CADD support to engineers and project managers on electrical utility substation projects, producing designs, reports, and material lists.

This on-site or hybrid role requires precision, strong drafting skills, and collaboration across electrical, structural, and civil disciplines while adhering to industry standards and safety policies.

Qualifications

• High School Diploma required.
• 9+ years of relevant post-education experience in design support.
• Knowledge of drafting/design principles and industry standards.

Responsibilities

• Provide technical design and CADD support for electrical substation projects.
• Prepare drawings with high precision for basic-to-moderate complex projects.
• Ensure designs comply with utility standards and client specifications.
• Collaborate with engineers and cross-functional teams across electrical, structural, and civil disciplines.
• Maintain accurate documentation and material lists.

Skills

Drafting & design support

Geometric calculations

Analytical mindset

Communication

Self-leadership

Multitasking

Attention to detail

Technical writing

Problem solving

Safety awareness

Education

High school diploma

Bachelor’s degree (preferred)

Tools

Office software

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Substation Designer for our Minneapolis, MN office.

Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. This position is expected to work on-site or in a hybrid work arrangement and is not a fully remote role.

This Opportunity

Provides technical design and CADD support to engineers and project managers to produce designs and specifications on electrical utility substation projects. Responsibilities involve generating CADD designs on various assigned projects of moderate- to larger-scale, scope, and/or complexity. Generates accurate and concise design phase deliverables including reports, technical memoranda, design manuals, plans and profiles, models, sections, details, specifications, and material lists. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, accuracy, and functionality.

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.

Your Impact

• Assist with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data from substation sites, surveys, structural and electrical concepts, blueprints, schematics, data, verbal or written specifications, technical drawings, rough sketches, diagrams, and other matrices to support drafting and design activities.
• Under minimal supervision, work closely with engineers to resolve design details or discrepancies, and to prepare drawings which require a high degree of precision on projects of basic complexity and/or scope.
• Provide routine technical design assistance that accounts for the proper illustration, fit, form, and function using geometric dimensioning, tolerance and quantity calculations, while ensuring designs align with utility, client, and industry standard specifications.
• Assist with verifying calculations, design, change orders, interpretation of contract plans and specifications, recognizing basic construction or engineering problems and escalating any differences, errors, or technical problems for appropriate resolution.
• Work with cross‑functional teams in executing project work, including electrical, structural, and civil disciplines supporting substation development.
• Assure plans adhere to applicable utility standards, local jurisdiction requirements, and state and federal regulations.
• Prepare multiple versions of designs for review by engineer.
• Ensure the specification of dimensions, materials, and procedures for assigned projects, ensuring compliance with contract requirements.
• Work collaboratively with the engineer‑in‑charge and other technical professionals on assigned project phases, segments, checks, and tasks.
• Complete training on assigned tasks.
• Exhibit basic knowledge of current substation design support practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• High School Diploma.
• Minimum of 9 years of relevant post education experience in design support, preferably on electrical utility or substation projects.
• Well‑defined knowledge of drafting and design support principles, practices, process, methods and techniques.
• Well‑defined knowledge of relevant codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements.
• Defined ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of geometry and mathematical concepts, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate standards or regulations.
• Analytical mindset with an ability to exercise sound judgement in evaluating situations and making decisions.
• Competent interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to a technical and non‑technical audience.
• Proficient self‑leadership with attention to detail, accuracy, multi‑tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to learn new techniques, perform multiple tasks simultaneously, follow instruction, work independently, and comply with company policies.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, software, technology, math principles, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Developed critical thinking and problem‑solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from data collation, calculations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective and logical solution.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abid by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project‑specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in closely related discipline is preferred.
• Essential professional licensure/certification.
• Prior experience supporting substation or power delivery design projects.

Disclaimer

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

WSP Benefits

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary (all locations): $95,500 - $116,700

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

About WSP

ABOUT US

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world’s leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

Notice To Third Party Agencies

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.