Senior Substation Project Engineer

WSP in the U.S.; San Diego (CA); Hybrid; USD 115,200 - 195,800; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision coverage

Paid vacation and sick leave

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

WSP in the U.S. is seeking a Lead Substation Project Engineer for their San Diego, CA office. This role involves managing design and execution of complex substation projects while mentoring junior staff. Preferred candidates will have extensive experience in electrical engineering and project management.

The position offers a hybrid work option and includes comprehensive benefits such as medical coverage and retirement savings. Compensation ranges from $115,200 to $195,800.

Qualifications

• 7 to 10 years of post-education experience designing capital projects.
• Engineer license required.
• Strong technical calculation skills.

Responsibilities

• Support complex substation design projects.
• Manage design and construction of electrical infrastructure.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations.

Skills

Electrical engineering principles

Technical writing

Project management

Design software proficiency

Interpersonal skills

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

CADD

AutoCAD

ETAP

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our San Diego, CA office. You will be part of the Power Delivery Substation Team and will support complex substation design projects, manage project execution, and mentor junior staff in a fast‑paced, collaborative environment. A hybrid or in‑office setup is preferred; remote work will be considered for candidates with proven experience.

This Opportunity

Provide high‑level technical assistance and guidance for multi‑site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects. Tasks include research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, and protection and control systems. Produce reports and documentation to advise on material, installations, design, component, and construction specifications, ensuring quality meets or exceeds industry standards.

Your Impact

• Collect, compile, and analyze data related to site, blueprints, GIS maps, substation components, and equipment specifications for procurement and pricing, and review detailed design processes and IEEE, NESC, ANSI, NCEC, and NERC standards.
• Coordinate, review, and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for smaller projects, ensuring compliance with all codes and regulations.
• Apply high‑level electrical engineering techniques to identify improvements for concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.
• Perform professional engineering work for single line, three line, wiring diagrams, general arrangement, substation layout, bus arrangement, grounding grid design, and lightning protection in conformance with applicable rules and standards.
• Plan and incorporate future‑ready techniques, component sizing, cabling, AC/DC panel design, and conduit and trenching strategies that account for safety and functionality.
• Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short circuit study, protective device coordination, one‑line diagram development, protective relaying, and substation switchyard layouts.
• Develop and review plans, specifications, and cost estimates; construct safety and phasing plans; coordinate with owners, disciplines, sub‑consultants, and clients.
• Manage design and construction of electrical infrastructure projects from inception to completion, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, site development, grading, drainage, equipment layout, elevations, specifications, phasing, and construction safety plans.
• Oversee cross‑functional teams of engineers, planners, scientists, and construction professionals to execute projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, cost and quantities, technical calculations, permit applications, compliance documentation, and regulatory analysis memos.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross‑sections, and other illustrations for complex data analysis.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations explaining research, findings, concepts, and recommendations.
• Maintain a high level of quality and responsiveness to client requirements.
• Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations for risk mitigation activities.
• Implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).
• Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients professionally and confidently.
• Collaborate with engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on federal, state, regional, and local projects and business development opportunities.
• Remain current in the latest electrical engineering techniques and practices.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making in accordance with WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.
• 7 to 10 years of post‑education experience as an electrical engineer designing capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• Engineer license required.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and project‑work issues.
• Extensive knowledge of infrastructure design.
• Comprehensive knowledge of adjacent disciplines such as P&C, SCADA, and telecom.
• Experience with electrical infrastructure planning, design, and construction management, including rehabilitation and new design projects.
• Well‑defined knowledge of relevant laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record‑keeping requirements.
• Strong technical calculation skills applying electrical engineering principles and regulations.
• Experience conducting inspections and investigations on construction and design of facilities.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills with professional audiences.
• Demonstrated high‑level self‑leadership, prioritization, and multitasking in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and guides junior members, adhering to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, design software (CADD, Aspen, ETAP, AutoCAD Electrical, etc.), and tools.
• Well‑developed critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Effective at coordinating and directing subcontractors to complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven record of upholding workplace safety and abiding by WSP’s health, safety, and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules beyond the typical workweek as project needs require.
• Occasional travel may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.
• 10+ years of substation design experience.
• Experience with 230 kV through 765 kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Experience managing people on a multi‑disciplinary project team.
• Experience with MicroStation, AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or Inventor.

WSP Benefits

We provide a comprehensive benefits suite focused on health and financial stability, including medical, dental, vision, disability, and life coverage; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation; paid parental leave; and paid time off for bereavement, voting, and naturalization proceedings.

Compensation

Expected Salary: $115,200 – $195,800

Equal Opportunity Employer

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.