Senior Substation Physical Designer or Engineer

Nexus Engineering Group; Oak Brook (IL); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP ownership

Technical leadership

EPCm exposure

Career growth

Flexible work arrangements

Job summary

Nexus Engineering Group is seeking a Senior Substation Physical Designer to lead the physical design of high-voltage substation projects, turning concepts into constructible packages. You’ll develop GA drawings, elevations, grounding layouts, conduit routing, and equipment placement, while coordinating across disciplines to ensure complete, accurate designs.

You will mentor junior engineers, review deliverables for quality, and support planning, scheduling, and budgeting while maintaining safety

Qualifications

• 6+ years of experience in substation engineering, power delivery, or electrical design.
• Advanced knowledge of substation physical design — layouts, grounding systems, conduit and cable routing, equipment placement, and constructible drawing development.
• Strong working knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, NEC, and NESC standards.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar engineering design platforms.

Responsibilities

• Lead the physical design and execution of high-voltage substation projects — new stations, upgrades, expansions, and modernization efforts.
• Develop and oversee physical design deliverables: general arrangement drawings, elevations, section views, grounding layouts, below-grade design, conduit and cable routing, and equipment placement.
• Direct grounding design, bus arrangements, conduit systems, and equipment layouts for your project scopes.
• Apply advanced engineering principles, client specifications, and industry standards to produce high-quality design packages.
• Coordinate with protection & controls, civil, and structural engineers, designers, drafters, project managers, clients, and vendors for cohesive execution.
• Review and check deliverables for technical accuracy, constructability, completeness, and compliance with project requirements.
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to junior engineers, designers, and technical staff.
• Support project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and progress reporting, and resolve technical challenges while protecting quality, safety, and schedule.
• Foster strong client relationships through responsive communication, sound engineering judgement, and reliable project execution

Skills

Substation design

Leadership

Communication

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Education

Associate Degree in a technical discipline

Tools

SDS

Inventor

WinIGS

CDEGS

Job description

Nexus Engineering Group is employee-owned, full-service, and built by the people who do the work. As a Senior Substation Physical Designer, you’ll lead the physical design that turns high-voltage substation projects into constructible reality.

You’ll lead the physical design of high-voltage substation projects — developing and directing deliverables such as general arrangement drawings, elevations and section views, grounding systems, below-grade design, conduit and cable routing, bus arrangements, and equipment placement. As a technical leader, you’ll coordinate across disciplines, support project execution, mentor developing engineers, and make sure every design package that leaves your desk is complete, accurate, and constructible.

Why Nexus

You’ll own a piece of what you build. Nexus is employee-owned through our ESOP, so the value you help create comes back to you — not just outside shareholders. We give senior engineers real ownership of the work and a voice in how it’s done.

What you can expect

• Employee ownership (ESOP) — build equity in the firm as it grows
• Ownership of high-voltage substation physical design, from general arrangement to constructible package
• A senior seat — provide technical leadership, check others’ work, and mentorship
• Full-service EPCm exposure, from concept through startup, across a diverse client base
• Career paths that grow with you — toward technical leadership, project management, or discipline leadership
• Flexible work arrangements where business needs allow

What You’ll Do

• Lead the physical design and execution of high-voltage substation projects — new stations, upgrades, expansions, and modernization efforts
• Develop and oversee physical design deliverables: general arrangement drawings, elevations, section views, grounding layouts, below-grade design, conduit and cable routing, and equipment placement
• Direct grounding design, bus arrangements, conduit systems, and equipment layouts for your project scopes
• Apply advanced engineering principles, client specifications, and industry standards to produce high-quality design packages
• Coordinate with protection & controls, civil, and structural engineers, designers, drafters, project managers, clients, and vendors for cohesive execution
• Review and check deliverables for technical accuracy, constructability, completeness, and compliance with project requirements
• Provide technical leadership, guidance, and mentorship to junior engineers, designers, and technical staff
• Support project planning, scheduling, budgeting, and progress reporting, and resolve technical challenges while protecting quality, safety, and schedule
• Foster strong client relationships through responsive communication, sound engineering judgment, and reliable project execution

Required Qualifications

What We’re Looking For

• Associate Degree in a technical discipline or equivalente technical experience
• 6+ years of experience in substation engineering, power delivery, or electrical design
• Advanced knowledge of substation physical design — layouts, grounding systems, conduit and cable routing, equipment placement, and constructible drawing development
• Strong working knowledge of IEEE (including IEEE Std. 80 for grounding), ANSI, NEC, and NESC standards
• Proficiency with AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar engineering design platforms
• Demonstrated experience leading engineering tasks or project scopes
• Strong communication, coordination, and problem-solving skills
• A valid driver’s license and the ability to travel between project and substation sites as required

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience leading physical design for utility, industrial, renewable energy, or EPC substation projects
• Experience performing engineering reviews or formal checking of design packages
• Familiarity with client-specific utility standards and documentation requirements
• Experience with Substation Design Suite (SDS), Inventor, WinIGS, CDEGS, or similar engineering tools
• Construction support and field engineering experience

Work Environment & Physical Demands

This position is performed in a combination of office and active project-site environments. This role may require:

• Frequent travel to project and substation sites, some not accessible by public transportation (a valid driver’s license is required)
• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Field visits that may involve exposure to weather, energized electrical equipment, noise, and heavy equipment; required PPE must be worn on site
• The ability to walk uneven terrain and access outdoor substation yards and elevated or confined areas, with or without reasonable accommodation

About Nexus Engineering Group

Nexus Engineering Group, a distinguished independent full-service engineering, procurement, and construction management (EPCm) firm, provides comprehensive support to clients from concept through startup. With over a decade of demonstrated engineering and design success, Nexus stands out as the firm of choice for those valuing integrity and expertise.

At Nexus, you will be part of a talented and passionate team dedicated to excellence and innovation. We foster a collaborative and engaging work environment, making it a place where you’ll enjoy contributing to impactful projects. Joining Nexus means aligning with a firm renowned for its creativity, dedication, and relentless focus on achieving client goals.

Equal Opportunity Employer & Reasonable Accommodation

Nexus Engineering Group, Inc. is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, national origin, veteran status, genetic information, union status and/or beliefs, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state, or local law.

Nexus Engineering Group is committed to providing reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities throughout the application and hiring process. If you require an accommodation to participate in any part of the recruitment process, please contact us at [e-mail].

Sponsorship & Work Authorization

Nexus Engineering Group does not provide employment visa sponsorship of any kind, including CPT, OPT, or employment-based visas. Candidates must be currently authorized to work in the United States and must be able to maintain that authorization throughout employment without any action, filing, or sponsorship by the company. This requirement applies both at the time of hire and on a continuing basis for the duration of employment.

The posted salary range represents the anticipated base pay for this position in accordance with applicable pay-transparency requirements and may vary based on experience, qualifications, skills, certifications, work location, and market conditions.

In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) — an ownership stake and a share in the long-term success of Nexus
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match and discretionary bonus opportunities
• Paid time off, holidays, and paid parental leave
• Professional development and career advancement — training, certifications, licensure support, tuition assistance, and mentorship
• Wellness benefits and a flexible schedule where business needs allow