Senior Substation Engineer

IDOM USA; Los Angeles (CA); Hybrid; USD 150,000 - 250,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive compensation

Health insurance

401(k)

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

IDOM is seeking an experienced Electrical Engineer with a California PE and 8+ years in substation and power systems design to lead LV substation work for a high‑speed rail program in the U.S. You will interface with utility interconnections, perform complex power studies, and coordinate with BIM-enabled teams.

The role offers hybrid work with travel to project sites, growth toward technical leadership, and a long-term career path on a landmark infrastructure program.

Qualifications

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering or related field.
• Active PE license in California.
• 8+ years of experience in substation and power systems design (utility, industrial or transit).
• Strong command of NEC, NESC, IEEE and NFPA standards for substation design.
• Proficiency with power system analysis tools (ETAP or SKM) and BIM coordination.

Responsibilities

• Lead detailed design of substation LV systems and equipment (AC/DC auxiliary power, switchgear, protection and control, grounding and bonding, cabling and raceway).
• Perform and review power system studies (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc flash) using ETAP or SKM.
• Coordinate interfaces with MV and traction power design, utility interconnections, and Power SCADA.
• Seal design deliverables as a licensed PE and support submittal cycles with the design-build team and the Authority.
• Review vendor and contractor submittals and support design through construction, testing and commissioning.
• Mentor junior engineers as the substations team grows.

Skills

Licensed PE CA

Substation design

Power systems analysis

Electrical engineering

Education

B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

SKM

BIM coordination

Job description

IDOM is part of the team delivering the Traction Power, Signaling, Communications and Systems design for the program's first operating segment. Our scope covers the systems that make a high-speed railway run: traction power and substations, train control, and the communications backbone — designed to the most demanding international high-speed standards and adapted to U.S. codes and practice. California High-Speed Rail is the first true high-speed rail system in the United States: a fully electrified, 220-mph railway that will transform mobility across the state and set the technical benchmark for every future high-speed program in North America. Very few engineers will be able to say they designed it. This is that opportunity.

Why this role is a career move

• Design the first 220-mph railway in America — a once-in-a-generation infrastructure program with visibility across the entire U.S. transit industry.
• Work shoulder to shoulder with IDOM's international high-speed rail experts — direct technical exchange with the engineers who have designed and commissioned HSR communications systems in revenue service.
• Grow with the program: the team is scaling through 2027 and the program horizon extends into the 2030s, with clear paths toward technical leadership and management as the U.S. practice expands.
• As a licensed PE, take real design responsibility on a landmark project — not a review desk: your engineering will be built.

Primary Duties & Responsibilities

You will join the Traction Power team, reporting to IDOM's Power Systems Manager, and take design ownership of substation and low-voltage power systems for the high-speed rail program:

• Lead the detailed design of substation LV systems and equipment: AC/DC auxiliary power, switchgear, protection and control, grounding and bonding, cabling and raceway.
• Perform and review power system studies (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc flash) using ETAP or SKM.
• Coordinate interfaces with the medium-voltage and traction power design (25 kV autotransformer-fed system), utility interconnections, and Power SCADA.
• Seal design deliverables within your area of competence as a licensed PE and support submittal cycles with the design-build team and the Authority.
• Review vendor and contractor submittals and support the design through construction, testing and commissioning.
• Mentor junior engineers as the substations team grows.

Minimum Academic & Professional Requirements:

• B.S. in Electrical Engineering, or related field
• Active PE license (California).
• 8+ years of experience in substation and power systems design (utility, industrial or transit).
• Strong command of NEC, NESC, IEEE and NFPA standards applicable to substation design.
• Proficiency with power system analysis tools (ETAP or SKM) and design coordination in BIM environments.

Location

Candidates not based in Sacramento, but who are open to frequent travel to the area for project site visits will be considered as part of a hybrid arrangement (site & home). Preference will be given to candidates residing or open to relocating to the Sacramento area. Relocation support may be available for the right candidate.

• COMPETITIVE COMPENSATION – Including Incentive compensation based on company performance
• JOB ENRICHMENT AND CAREER ENHANCEMENT
• GREAT BENEFITS – Company contributions to Health Savings Accounts, medical insurance, dental insurance, short-term disability, long term disability, life insurance, flexible spending accounts, 401(k), paid time off, holiday pay, and other benefit programs
• EXCELLENT WORKING CONDITIONS
• PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT- IDOM, Inc. invests in developing its professionals including job-related professional training with tuition reimbursement opportunities
• $150k-$250k per year, depending on all candidate factors, such as qualifications, experience level, etc.
• Work-Life Balance, Flexible Hours, and remote working days. Role is considered Hybrid, with some on-site work.
• Long term career path, in a multicultural and multidisciplinary environments

Idom is an employee-owned international engineering, architectural and consulting firm. Our company has more than 5500 professionals in 45 offices in the Americas, Europe, North Africa, and the Middle East. In the US we emphasize providing professional engineering and consulting services to the sectors of Power, Petrochemical, Renewable Energy, Astronomy, Research Test Facilities, Manufacturing, Pulp and Paper, Pharmaceutical and the Food and Beverage market sectors. Our company has been in business since 1957. We have a backlog of interesting and technically challenging projects in the US and worldwide. Please refer to our global website, www.IDOM.com.

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or veteran status.