Senior Substation P&C Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 91,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP is seeking a Senior Substation P&C Engineer to support multi-site substation projects in the eastern time zone. Office-based or hybrid work is preferred with flexibility for remote arrangements for qualified candidates.

The role focuses on protection and control engineering, relay schemes, SCADA interfaces, and construction support for utility-scale substations. U.S. workload includes collaboration with owners and regulators.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering or equivalent.
• 5 to 7 years of post-education experience in electrical design for substations.
• Engineer in Training Certification.

Responsibilities

• Determine methods for collecting and analyzing data for protection and control requirements.
• Review and input on substation design documents and project plans.
• Develop engineering calculations and deliverables for protection and control systems.
• Prepare technical reports and drawings for substation projects.
• Provide guidance and training to junior engineers.

Skills

Protection & control

Substation design

Project coordination

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

MicroStation

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Senior Substation P&C Engineer in the Northeast. Candidates may work form any mutually acceptable location in the eastern time zone.

Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. Office‑based or hybrid work is preferred, with flexibility for remote arrangements for qualified candidates.

This Opportunity

This position provides technical assistance and engineering guidance for multi‑site and multi‑phase substation projects, including due diligence, investigation, impact assessment, permitting support, design, development, and construction activities for utility‑scale facilities in the public and private sectors. Routinely assists with the research, design, concept development, and construction of new, upgraded, and retrofit substations, with emphasis on protection and control engineering including protective relaying and schemes, control house and panel design, substation automation/SCADA interfaces, communications, and commissioning support, while supporting the preparation and substantiation of engineering reports, calculations, and documentation related to materials, installations, components, and construction specifications, and ensuring responsibilities are delivered with a level of quality that meets or exceeds applicable industry standards for substation design, safety, and functionality. WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We’re partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.

Your Impact

• Determine well‑defined methods for collecting, compiling, and analyzing data relating to protection and control requirements, substation equipment specifications for procurement package development and pricing, IFR/IFC detailed design and review processes, and applicable IEEE, NESC, and NERC standards.
• Review and provide technical input on third‑party substation design documents, protection and control deliverables, procurement lists, and project plans.
• Perform professional and complex electrical engineering work related to the design of protection and control one‑line and three‑line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, elementary diagrams, wiring diagrams, cable schedules, termination drawings, and panel layouts in conformance with applicable rules, standards, and permits.
• Incorporate future‑ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and design requirements into protective relaying philosophies and schemes, substation automation architectures, communications systems, AC/DC systems, control panel layouts, and wiring and termination strategies, accounting for safety, constructability, and long‑term operation.
• Support senior engineers with research, evaluation, and recommendations for protective relays, meters, RTUs or BCUs, telecommunications equipment, and control house and panel components, including field applications and operational considerations.
• Verify site characteristics and provide technical input on engineering, design, testing, maintenance modifications, constructability, and construction sequencing issues, with emphasis on panel installation, wiring, cutovers, and outage coordination.
• Develop engineering calculations and deliverables including DC load, battery and charger sizing, AC station service loading, CT and VT sizing and verification, protective device coordination, relay logic and settings development support, and integration requirements for substation automation systems.
• Develop plans, specifications, and cost estimates; prepare construction safety and phasing plans; and update electrical infrastructure layouts requiring coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub‑consultants, and clients, including SCADA points lists, communications requirements, and testing and commissioning scope.
• Work independently or as part of a cross‑functional team of engineers, planners, and construction professionals to execute work on multiple concurrent substation projects, assisting with protection and control design packages, material takeoffs, cost estimates, and ensuring compliance with specifications, permits, and technical documentation.
• Prepare technical data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations to support engineering analysis and design decisions, including fault event reviews and sequence of events interpretations when applicable.
• Provide guidance and training to entry‑level engineers.
• Prepare technical reports and presentations that communicate design approaches, findings, and recommendations related to substation engineering and construction activities, including protection and control design basis and operating philosophies.
• Assist in the analysis, evaluation, and interpretation of data obtained during field investigations and support development of action plans for moderate‑to‑high‑level risk mitigation activities, including protection misoperations, wiring issues, and commissioning punchlists.
• Prepare and implement site‑specific Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Comply with regulatory requirements pertaining to data integrity, documentation, procedures, training, monitoring systems, and record retention, including requirements relevant to substation cyber and physical security interfaces when applicable.
• Interact with clients, utilities, contractors, and regulatory agencies in a confident and professional manner.
• Remain current in the latest substation engineering techniques, tools, and industry practices, including protective relaying, substation automation, and communications.
• Work collaboratively with other engineers and planners on substation projects supporting federally, state, regionally, and locally funded infrastructure improvements.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 5 to 7 years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing protection and control or electrical design deliverables for large capital projects, preferably involving substations or utility‑scale electrical infrastructure.
• Engineer in Training Certification.
• Proficient knowledge of electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, and design/build applications as applied to substation projects, with emphasis on protection and control engineering.
• Experience with infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including active involvement in rehabilitation and new design projects, including protection and control design packages and construction and commissioning support.
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements.
• Ability to perform technical computations and calculations involving electrical engineering principles, interpret plans and specifications, and evaluate compliance with applicable regulations, including AC/DC systems, station service, and protection and control interface requirements.
• Project management experience supporting small‑to mid‑level projects, including tracking hours and expenses.
• Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations related to the construction and design of facilities, applying applicable regulations and policies, including protection and control installation, wiring, and testing support.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with engineering and non‑engineering audiences.
• Demonstrated self‑leadership, attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization skills in a dynamic work environment.
• Ability to work independently while providing technical guidance and QA/QC oversight to junior team members.
• Proficiency with technical writing, office automation, and discipline‑specific design such as AutoCAD Electrical and MicroStation, as well as spreadsheets and engineering tools.
• Strong critical thinking and problem‑solving skills to develop effective, economical, and logical engineering solutions, including troubleshooting and resolution of protection and control design and field issues.
• Ability to assertively direct field personnel and subcontractors to ensure work is completed safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project‑specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer License.

Disclaimer

• Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:

Expected Salary (all locations): $90,600 - $150,110

About WSP

ABOUT US

WSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.

www.wsp.com

WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.

At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges.

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.

The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.

NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:

WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.