Senior Substation Engineer (Remote Role)

GoldCoast Energy Solutions; United States; On-site; USD 120,000 - 190,000; Full time

Job summary

GoldCoast Energy Solutions seeks a Senior Substation Engineer to lead HV/EHV substation design and engineering packages, serving as Engineer of Record (EOR) and sealing drawings. Specialize in Physical Design or P&C Design and ensure integrated, code-compliant solutions.

You will mentor junior engineers, manage project scopes and schedules, interface with clients and vendors, and oversee grounding, protection, and SCADA integration to support reliable power delivery.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited BSEE is required.
• 7–12+ years of substation design experience in utilities or consulting.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license to seal drawings.
• Mastery of IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, and NFPA codes.

Responsibilities

• Seal and stamp engineering drawings as Engineer of Record.
• Define project scopes, estimate hours, track budgets, and schedules for complex projects.
• Direct the workflow of junior engineers, designers, and CAD drafters with technical guidance.
• Serve as primary technical contact for utility clients, developers, equipment vendors and contractors.

Skills

Substation design

Project management

PE license

Mentorship

Education

BSEE (ABET-accredited)

Tools

CDEGS

WinIGS

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Autodesk Inventor/SDS

AGi32

ASPEN OneLiner

CAPE

ETAP

SKM

SEL AcSELerator

Enervista

Job description

The Senior Substation Engineer serves as a technical leader, managing the engineering and design of high-voltage (HV) and extra-high-voltage (EHV) utility substations (ranging from 12kV to 500kV+). This role acts as the Engineer of Record (EOR) responsible for sealing engineering packages. Candidates can specialize in either Physical Design or P&C Design, though an understanding of how both disciplines integrate is highly valued.

Core Responsibilities

• Quality Assurance & Safety: Perform rigorous technical reviews and peer checks of engineering packages. Serve as the final authority to seal and stamp engineering drawings using an active Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Project Management Support: Define project scopes, estimate engineering hours, track budgets, and manage delivery schedules for complex utility projects.
• Direct the workflow of junior engineers, designers, and CAD drafters. Provide technical guidance and career mentorship.
• Client & Stakeholder Interface: Act as the primary technical point of contact for utility clients, developers, equipment vendors, and construction contractors.

Engineering Specializations

Physical Substation Design

Spatial arrangement, equipment selection, and mechanical/electrical interfaces of the substation.

• Equipment Specification: Select and specify major power equipment including power transformers, circuit breakers, GIS (Gas Insulated Switchgear), disconnect switches, surge arresters, and instrument transformers (CTs/VTs).
• Layout & Geometry: Develop overall site layouts, section views, elevation drawings, rigid/strain bus designs, and clearance evaluations to optimize safety and maintenance access.
• Grounding Grid Design: Perform advanced soil resistivity analysis and design comprehensive grounding grids utilizing IEEE Std 80 standards.
• Shielding & Lightning Protection: Design direct stroke lightning protection systems using the rolling sphere or angle methods per IEEE Std 998.
• Systems Infrastructure: Engineer design packages for conduit routing, cable trench layouts, cable schedules, and indoor/outdoor auxiliary lighting systems.

Protection & Control (P&C) Design

Focus on the intelligence, monitoring, metering, automation, and safety systems that protect the power grid.

• Schematic Architecture: Develop complex one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, and panel layouts.
• Relay Protection Logic: Design protection schemes for lines (distance, pilot, current differential), transformers, buses, and capacitor banks using microprocessor-based relays (e.g., SEL, GE).
• System Studies: Perform short-circuit calculations, relay coordination studies, and fault analysis.
• SCADA & Communications: Integrate Remote Terminal Units (RTUs), Human-Machine Interfaces (HMIs), and communication networks utilizing protocols like IEC 61850, DNP3, and Modbus.
• Station Power: Size and design station DC battery banks, chargers, and AC distribution panels to guarantee uninterrupted control power.

Required Qualifications & Technical Skills

• Education: Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) from an ABET-accredited institution.
• Experience: 7 to 12+ years of dedicated substation design experience within a utility environment or consulting firm.
• Industry Standards: Mastery of IEEE, ANSI, NESC, NEC, and NFPA codes.
• Software Tools (Specialization Dependent):
• Physical Design: CDEGS, WinIGS, AutoCAD, MicroStation, Autodesk Inventor / SDS, or AGi32.
• P&C Design: ASPEN OneLiner, CAPE, ETAP, SKM, SEL AcSELerator, or Enervista.