Senior Substation Engineer

HDR; Irvine (CA); On-site; USD 138,000 - 197,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Employee ownership

Comprehensive benefits

Retirement plan with employer match

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join our Irvine, CA team. You will prepare designs for substation projects from simple replacements to large greenfield sites, delivering technically sound work within HDR’s collaborative culture.

As a seasoned engineer, you will mentor junior staff, lead multiple projects, and collaborate with PMs to manage scope, schedule and budget while expanding technical expertise and contributing to industry presentations.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering and PE license required.
• Minimum 10 years of technical design experience in high-voltage substation projects.
• Experience with substation layouts, grounding, protection and control buildings.
• Proficient in Power Market Sector software and common design tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead technical execution of substation design projects of varying complexity.
• Develop and implement project execution plans with technical guidance.
• Coordinate quality checks and reviews per HDR QMS.
• Mentor Electrical Engineers, Graduates, and Drafters/Designers.

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

AutoCAD

Microstation

Microsoft Office

CDEGS

PLS CAD

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 foster a culture of inclusion throughout our 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.
You will be part of a rapidly growing team working on a variety of exciting projects that will test your engineering skills and set you on a path for career growth. As an integral part of a team, you will prepare engineering designs on substation projects ranging in scale from simple device replacements to large greenfield substation sites. You’ll be given the flexibility and freedom to seek and acquire knowledge and experience in both the Protection and Control and Physical aspects of high-voltage substation design. This is an excellent growth opportunity for a self-directed individual who is eager to learn and take on new challenges.
The primary duties of the Senior Substation Engineer include:

• Responsible for knowledge and execution of the technical aspects and deliverables of projects assigned and is an experienced, competent engineer who generally understands and can complete all technical requirements of projects of basic to moderate complexity.
• Develop a partnership with the PM. Whereas the PM is responsible for scope, schedule, budget, and client management - the SE is responsible for technical execution of the project.
• Develop and implement a project execution plan for the technical aspect of projects.
• Assign project tasks and provide technical guidance to project team members.
• Support the technical aspects of scope, schedule, and budget - including proposal development, work breakdown structure development and implementation, progress assessment, risk assessment/mitigation, change management, and schedule management.
• Coordinate and perform quality checks and reviews for all project deliverables per the HDR Quality Management Systems (QMS) requirements, processes, and procedures to deliver a world-class quality product to the client. Perform quality checks and reviews of projects from other teams on an as-needed basis.
• Work independently and also direct, mentor, and train Electrical Engineers, Graduate Engineers, and Drafters/Designers.
• Lead multiple projects concurrently, utilizing teams in different locations.
• Work with senior engineers and technical leaders to identify and develop specific technical expertise and attend training and seminars focused on further development and understanding of complex concepts related to your discipline.
• Assist with developing technical papers and/or presentations that showcase HDR’s technical capabilities at industry conferences or other events.
• Perform other duties as needed

Due to client contract requirements: US Citizenship - US naturalizes citizen (foreign born) required.
Keywords: Senior Substation Engineer, substation

Preferred Qualifications

• Master's degree in Electrical Engineering with an Electrical emphasis.
• A minimum of 10 years of technical design experience with high voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects of varying complexity up to 765kV preferred, including at a minimum, conceptual knowledge of physical, electrical, civil, and structural design components as well as knowledge of IEC, IEEE, ANSI, and other applicable design and equipment standards.
• Specific experience performing aspects associated with substation design including substation layouts, plans, sections and details, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, conduit plans and details, auxiliary AC/DC power systems, and associated bills of material.
• Strong computer skills, AutoCAD, Microstation, Microsoft Office and electrical design software (e.g., CDEGS).
• Prior experience doing distribution systems, substation, and power facilities design and engineering is required.
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm desired.
• Some travel may be required.
• Preference will be given candidates local to the Irvine, CA area.
• Prior experience consulting or working for an electric utility considered a plus.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• A minimum of 10 years of experience
• Requires professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered. Example: Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) 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. 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.) {Irvine}: $138,000 - $197,000 Primary Location:United States-California-Irvine Industry:Power Schedule:Full-time Employee Status:Regular BusinessClass:Substation Engineering Job Posting:Aug 10, 2026
At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmatives...