Senior Substation Engineer

HDR, Inc.; Denver (CO); On-site; USD 109,000 - 172,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR, Inc. invites a Substation Senior Engineer to join our Colorado Power Delivery team in Denver. You will lead multifaceted substation projects, directing detailed design, scheduling, budgeting, and permitting activities while mentoring junior engineers.

Ideal candidates bring 10+ years in power engineering, PE licensure, and proficiency with PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit. Local Colorado candidates are preferred for this on-site role.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering is required.
• PE license is required or actively pursuing licensure.
• At least 10 years of experience in power/ substation design and project execution.
• Experience coordinating multi-disciplinary teams and clients.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed design of medium to high voltage substations including diagrams and equipment.
• Coordinate with utilities, developers, manufacturers, and consultants on project requirements.
• Manage project schedule, budgets, change orders, and contracts.
• Oversee environmental permitting and land acquisition aspects when required.
• Mentor design engineers and stamp projects as needed.
• Lead QA/QC and support business development.

Skills

Project execution

Power system design

Client coordination

Mentoring / leadership

Quality assurance

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineers (PE) license

Tools

PLS CAD

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

AutoPipe

Revit

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you'll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You'll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn't just a job, it's a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

HDR Engineering is looking for a Substation Senior to join our growing Colorado Power Delivery program.

The primary duties of a Substation Senior Engineer include managing the execution of all aspects of substation projects of all sizes and complexity, including scope and proposal development, project execution, project closeout, quality control, schedule, and budget management. Experience with at least one of the following substation design components; physical, protection/controls, relaying, communication is required, and associated strategic services aspects (i.e. permitting, land acquisition) of projects is preferred, with strong technical experience.

Specific duties include:

• Perform and direct others in the detailed design of medium to extra high voltage utility substations including one-line diagrams, elementary and wiring diagrams, SCADA, communications, conduit and cable sizing/routing, substation physical layouts, and the selection of substation equipment.
• Interface with clients, including utilities, developers, manufacturers, and other consultants for executing project requirements, including design reviews, construction support, technical recommendations, change management.
• Develop and manage non-technical project requirements, including project schedule, project budgets, change orders, and contract agreements. May also be responsible for overseeing non-engineering components of projects, including environmental permitting, land acquisition, construction management, and other services.
• Act as lead design engineer on multiple projects simultaneously and able to guide and teach supporting production design engineers, with capability to stamp projects as required.
• Leads the QA/QC process on projects and is committed to delivering world class quality. Coordinate with marketing and technical leadership for business development. Leverage and/or develop client relationships to develop new substation opportunities.
• Works independently and may direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise one or more PM's, Project Engineers, EIT's, CADD/Designers, and administrative staff.

Preferred Qualifications

• Minimum of 5 years of substation design experience required and understanding each role in substation design and can coordinate properly.
• Minimum of 5 years of overall experience including project leadership and staff management experience preferred.
• Experience managing multiple engineering assignments concurrently
• Experience in 15kV through 345kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI
• Track record of working cooperatively with diverse teams and project staff and work-sharing with staff in other locations preferred
• Committed to quality, improvement and HDR values.
• Preference given to candidates local to Colorado.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• A minimum of 10 years of experience
• Professional Engineers (PE) license
• Extensive experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector
• Proficient computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.

• medical
• dental
• vision
• short and long-term disability
• life insurance
• an employee assistance program
• paid time away
• parental leave
• paid holidays
• a retirement savings plan with employer match
• employee referral bonus
• tuition reimbursement

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Colorado: $109,270.00 - $171,710.00

Primary Location: United States-Colorado-Denver

Other Locations: United States-Colorado-Fort Collins

Industry: Power

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Substation Engineering

Job Posting: Mar 3, 2026