Senior Substation Engineer

QTS Realty Trust; Virginia; On-site; USD 136,000 - 208,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

401(k) retirement plan

Flexible spending and HSA accounts

Paid holidays and PTO

Volunteer days

Tuition assistance

Job summary

QTS Realty Trust in Virginia seeks a Senior Substation Engineer to lead the design life cycle of high voltage substations and guide the technical direction of utility infrastructure supporting data center campuses.

You will oversee construction, installation, and commissioning of substation equipment, work with energy leaders, utilities, and project teams, and ensure regulatory compliance. Travel up to 25% is expected.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field.
• FE or EIT registration or pursuing licensure.
• 10+ years in substation engineering or related field.
• Experience with 15kV–500kV equipment and protective relays.
• Familiarity with IEEE, NESC, ANSI, NEC standards.

Responsibilities

• Lead design life cycle of high voltage substations under EPC contracts.
• Provide technical guidance for design, procurement, and installation.
• Oversee construction, commissioning, and startup of substation systems.
• Identify risks and develop mitigation plans.
• Prepare technical reports, specifications, and documentation.
• Ensure compliance with EH&S regulations.
• Mentor junior engineers and field personnel.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and contractors to meet timelines.

Skills

HV Substation Design

Project Coordination

Electrical Engineering Fundamentals

Protective Relays & Equipment

IEEE/NESC/NEC Knowledge

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

FE and/or EIT registration

Tools

Substation design software

HV equipment knowledge

Job description

Who we are:

As a global leader in digital infrastructure, QTS designs, builds and operates advanced data centers that support strategic AI, cloud and digital transformation initiatives. We are driven by a mission to connect the world for good and our people make it possible. Every single day, the creativity, dedication and genuine care for our communities are what push us forward and make this a truly special place to be. The Senior Substation Engineer will support the overall design and execution of QTS utility infrastructure. This role will support the delivery of utility capacity at each campus for data center substation and utility build projects. This role will interface and collaborate with many critical stakeholders, including but not limited to: energy leaders responsible for utility contracts and negotiations; utility engagement developing relationships with utilities; pre-development leads evaluating new properties; operations leaders managing load growth projections; and development team project leaders planning and building new data centers and substations.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Lead design life cycle of high voltage substations performed under EPC contracts, including studies, procurements, and development of construction deliverables.
• Provide technical guidance and decisions to support development, design, and installation of high voltage substations.
• Oversee the construction, installation, and commissioning of substation equipment and systems.
• Identify project execution risks and develop associated mitigation plans.
• Lead operational initiatives to improve execution success at program level.
• Troubleshoot and resolve technical issues related to substation operations.
• Collaborate with project managers, engineers, and contractors to meet project timelines and budgets.
• Prepare technical reports, specifications, and documentation for substation projects.
• Stay current with industry trends, technologies, and regulatory requirements.
• Ensure compliance with environmental, health, and safety regulations.
• Provide technical support and training to junior engineers and field personnel.

BASIC QUALIFICATIONS

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or a related field.
• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) and/or Engineer in Training (EIT) registration.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in substation engineering or a related field.
• Proficient in substation design software
• Strong knowledge of substation equipment, including transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, and protective relays. This should include 15kV through 500kV.
• Familiarity with industry standards and codes (e.g., IEEE, NESC, ANSI, NEC).
• Excellent problem-solving skills and attention to detail.
• Willingness to travel up to 25% to project sites as needed.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
• 15 Years of experience in substation engineering or a related field.
• Knowledge of electric transmission systems and design

KNOWLEDGE, SKILLS, AND ABILITIES

• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.
• Ability to be flexible and adapt to changing situations at a high-growth company.
• Ability to prioritize, multitask, and deliver high-quality work in tight timeframes.

TOTAL REWARDS

This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending and HSA accounts; paid holidays; paid time off; paid volunteer days; employee assistance program; tuition assistance; parental leave; military leave assistance; QTS scholarship for dependents; wellness program, and other company benefits. This role is bonus-eligible and may qualify for equity. In accordance with applicable law, the following represents a reasonable estimate of the range of possible compensation for this role if hired in Virginia. Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location. The estimated pay range for this role, if based in Virginia, is: $135,979.44 - 207,948.83 Please note that this information is provided for those hired in Virginia only, and this role is open to candidates outside of Virginia with compensation that aligns with your location. The successful candidate’s starting salary will be determined based on permissible, non-discriminatory factors such as skills, experience, and geographic location. This role is also eligible for a competitive benefits package that includes: medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance; 401(k) retirement plan; flexible spending savings account; paid holidays; paid time off; employee assistance program; and other company benefits.

We conform to all the laws, statutes, and regulations concerning equal employment opportunities and affirmative action. We strongly encourage women, minorities, individuals with disabilities and veterans to apply to all of our job openings. We are an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, or national origin, age, disability status, Genetic Information & Testing, Family & Medical Leave, protected veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by law. We prohibit retaliation against individuals who bring forth any complaint, orally or in writing, to the employer or the government, or against any individuals who assist or participate in the investigation of any complaint or discrimination claim. The "Know Your Rights" Poster is included here: Know Your Rights (English) Know Your Rights (Spanish) The pay transparency policy is available here: Pay Transparency Nondiscrimination Poster-Formatted QTS is committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities. If you need a reasonable accommodation because of a disability for any part of the employment process, please send an e-mail to [e-mail] and let us know the nature of your request and your contact information.