Senior Substation Physical Engineer - Transmission & Distribution (Mid Atlantic Region)

Burns & McDonnell; Raleigh (NC); On-site; USD 160,000 - 250,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell is seeking a Senior Substation Physical Engineer to lead physical design deliverables for high-voltage substations (13kV to 765kV). You will guide the project team through design and construction, adapting to budget and client needs while applying IEEE and NESC standards.

This role emphasizes leadership, field verifications, and cross-discipline coordination. You will mentor engineers, develop designs and proposals, and ensure high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree required in Electrical/Mechanical Engineering or related field.
• Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam completion is preferred with 7+ years of related experience.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical abilities.
• Proficient computer skills (Microsoft Office Suite) and attention to detail.

Responsibilities

• Lead substation physical design from concept through completion, covering layout, grounding, conduit, and lighting.
• Lead development of calculations: insulation, voltage drop, cable sizing, conduit fill.
• Prepare design sketches, cost estimates, BOMs, and equipment specs.
• Apply IEEE, NESC, and industry standards to designs and specs.
• Coordinate protection, control, and civil/structural teams; mentor engineers.
• Conduct field verifications, QA/QC, and lead issue resolution.
• Develop proposals with schedules and budgets; manage deliverables and client relations.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Analytical thinking

Problem solving

Education

ABET-accredited degree in Electrical/Mechanical Eng

FE exam completed

Tools

MicroStation

AutoCAD

Bluebeam Revu

Microsoft Excel

Microsoft Teams

ProjectWise/SharePoint

CDEGS/WinIGS

Job description

Description

The Senior Substation Physical Engineer will lead the preparation of physical design deliverables for new and modified high-voltage (13kV to 765kV) electrical power substation projects. The Senior Substation Physical Engineer will work with the project team through the design and construction process, adapting engineering plans according to budget constraints, design factors, or client needs.

We are especially looking for experience with DGA equipment, voltage regulators, capacitor banks, shunt and series reactors, and 345kV to 765kV substation design.

Responsibilities include:

• Leads substation physical design from concept through completion, including, but not limited to, physical arrangement above and below grade, electrical studies such as grounding and lightning analysis, conduit and raceway, and lighting and security.

• Leads the development of substation calculations, including, but not limited to, insulation, voltage drop, cable sizing, and conduit fill.

• Leads the preparation of design sketches, cost estimates, equipment specifications, bills of material, and other required deliverables.

• Applies advanced knowledge of IEEE, NESC, and other industry and utility standards, guides, and specifications.

• Applies a working knowledge of substation protection and control design to lead interdisciplinary coordination, guiding the protection and control and civil/structural teams where needed.

• Mentors and develops engineers across the team, guiding their technical growth, reviewing their work, and building the team’s bench strength.

• Leads field inspections and the execution of complex assignments, developing new or improved processes, equipment, and methods.

• Manages schedule and budget for the deliverables under supervision and leads resolution of project issues.

• Works with the project team to follow internal QA/QC guidelines, including design quality reviews, to impress clients with high-quality deliverables.

• Identify recurring design and process refinement opportunities, determine root causes, and implement actions to optimize workflow.

• Develops relationships with key client points of contact and leads the preparation of proposals, including schedule and budget estimates.

• Performs other duties as assigned and complies with all policies and standards.

• Lead site walkdowns and field verifications, validating existing conditions, identifying design constraints, and incorporating field findings into deliverables.

• Provide technical support during procurement and construction, including review of vendor drawings, and submittals, responses to RFIs, and resolution of field conflicts.

Strongly preferred:

• Experience with voltage regulators, capacitor banks, shunt and series reactors, and DGA equipment.

• Experience with 345kV to 765kV substation design.

Proficient in:

• Scoping/Development/Early Design.

• One-Line/Three-Line Diagrams.

• Electrical Plans, Sections & Materials.

• Grounding & Raceway Design.

Major Equipment:

• Brownfield Substation Design.

• Greenfield Substation Design.

Software:

• Proficiency in MicroStation.

• Proficiency in AutoCAD.

• Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.

• Proficiency in Microsoft Teams.

• Proficiency in ProjectWise or SharePoint.

• Proficiency in CDEGS or WinIGS.

What you’ll gain:

Leadership of complex substation projects up to 765kV for various utility-scale and other clients, in a collaborative environment where everyone is driven and excited by helping each other succeed. Opportunities to expand your expertise in new skill areas, improve the skillset of engineers across your team through mentorship, and build visibility with key client relationships.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related degree from an ABET-accredited program and 7 years of substation project-related experience, including physical design, consulting experience preferred.

• Or, Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related degree from an ABET-accredited program and successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam and 7 years of substation project or related experience, including physical design, consulting experience preferred.

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

• Proficient computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.

• Desire to work in a collaborative team environment.

• Demonstrated leadership skills.

• Must be capable of applying diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices to broad areas of assignments.

• Must be capable of devising new approaches to problems encountered.

• Professional Engineer (PE) License preferred.

Compensation

$160,000.00-250,000.00 Yearly

The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.

Benefits

Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job Engineering

Primary Location US-VA-Richmond

Other Locations US-MD-Baltimore, US-DC-Washington, US-NC-Raleigh

Schedule: Full-time

Travel: Yes, 50 % of the Time

Req ID: 265304

Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D N/A