Substation Area Lead

WSP in the U.S.; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 141,000 - 171,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP USA is seeking a Substation Area Lead in San Diego, CA to oversee a team of designers and engineers within the Power & Energy Substation group. You will report to the Substation Department Manager and help build strong client relationships while delivering high-quality design for medium to high-voltage substations.

The role emphasizes leadership, project management, and technical excellence, with travel as needed and a compensation range reflecting senior-level responsibilities.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent).
• 7+ years of post-education experience as an electrical engineer delivering substation design.
• Demonstrated leadership of substation project/client teams.
• Ability to grow and maintain client relationships.
• Strong multitasking and prioritization in a fast-paced environment.
• Proven mentoring ability and effective communication with engineering and non-engineering audiences.
• Excellent written and oral English communication.
• Commitment to workplace safety and adherence to policies.
• Ability to work schedules beyond typical hours and occasional travel.

Responsibilities

• Act as trusted advisor to the Department Manager with regular updates.
• Manage financial and technical aspects of Substation team performance including timecards and resource planning.
• Support salary/promotion/bonus discussions and regional initiatives.
• Assist in proposal development, cost estimates, scheduling, and budgeting.
• Contribute to proposals, design audits, mentoring, and QA/QC activities.
• Lead or direct detailed design of medium to extra-high-voltage substations.
• Prepare one-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA and communications designs.
• Develop conduit/cable sizing, routing and substation layouts.
• Specify substation equipment and participate in equipment selection.
• Perform facility studies and related technical evaluations.
• Adhere to Code of Conduct and ethical use of company funds.
• Take on additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Skills

Leadership

Substation design

Project management

Client relationships

Mentoring

Communication

Safety compliance

Travel readiness

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering

PE License (preferred)

10+ years substation design experience (preferred)

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Substation Area Lead for our San Diego, CA office. The Area Lead will report to the Substation Department Manager. This individual will manage a team of designers and engineers, in addition to current and future project responsibilities. 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.

This Opportunity

The AL shares responsibility with the Department Manager (DM) and other AL(s) for managing the department's day-to-day activities to produce a product consistent with WSP's mission statement and our culture. The AL is expected to support the DM in achieving the department's business plan goals, maintaining WSP's high-quality standards, promoting internal teamwork, and meeting our clients’ needs. This position is also responsible for assisting with developing, maintaining, and strengthening client relationships within the region. 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

• Act as a trusted advisor to the Department Manager, communicating regularly through weekly touchpoints and monthly reporting.
• Perform or assist in managing financial and technical aspects of Substation team performance, including timecard approvals, weekly and monthly resource planning, and support for annual business plans.
• Support or participate in appraisals, salary/promotion/bonus recommendations, and department involvement in Regional and Business Unit Initiatives.
• Support proposal development, construction cost estimates, project scheduling, and project budgeting.
• Contribute to proposals, project design book audits, lunch-and-learns, mentorship efforts, and QA/QC activities.
• Perform and direct others in the detailed design of medium to extra-high-voltage substations.
• Prepare one-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA designs, and communications designs.
• Develop conduit and cable sizing/routing and prepare substation physical layouts and elevations.
• Develop substation equipment specifications and participate in the selection/specification of substation equipment.
• Perform facility studies and related technical evaluations.
• 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.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 7+ years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for substation projects.
• Highly capable self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Demonstrable leadership experience of substation project/client teams.
• Demonstrated competence in client team development and growing/maintaining client relationships.
• Demonstrate the ability to work in a fast-paced environment, tracking and organizing many tasks of varying importance and size.
• Proven ability and desire to mentor and help others.
• Effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Strong command of the English language with good written and oral communication skills in order to communicate effectively with internal team members and external client personnel.
• 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

• 10+ years of experience in substation design.
• Professional Engineering (PE) License and/or proven related substation design experience.

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: $140,800 - $171,100

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant's education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant's sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.

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. Are you ready to get started?

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.