Substation Civil Site Designer

Via Logic LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 48,000 - 87,000; Full time

Job summary

Leidos is seeking a Substation Civil Site Designer to support power delivery projects in Chicago, with the option to work remotely. You will develop site design drawing packages, grading and drainage plans, and permit-ready documentation for electric utility substations.

Join a multidisciplinary team that coordinates with civil, geotechnical, and electrical engineers to deliver compliant, high-quality deliverables.

Qualifications

• Associate’s degree or technical diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Drafting Technology, or related field.
• Minimum 2 years of civil site design experience using MicroStation (Level 3) or minimum 3 years (Level 4).
• Strong proficiency with MicroStation (required).
• Experience developing civil site plans for utility, industrial, commercial, or municipal projects.
• Working knowledge of grading design and earthwork calculations.
• Experience preparing erosion and sediment control plans.
• Familiarity with stormwater management principles and permitting requirements.
• Experience performing AutoTURN vehicle turning analyses.
• Understanding of site development permitting processes and agency coordination.
• Ability to interpret survey and geotechnical information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality deliverables.

Responsibilities

• Develop new and modify existing substation civil site plan drawings.
• Prepare grading, drainage, and stormwater management plans.
• Develop erosion and sediment control plans in accordance with local and state requirements.
• Prepare roadway, access drive, and site layout plans.
• Perform earthwork grading and balance using Civil 3D or OpenRoads/MicroStation workflows.
• Perform AutoTURN analyses for vehicle access.
• Prepare utility layouts including storm sewer, sanitary, and water service plans where required.
• Develop permit-ready civil drawing packages for utility and agency review.
• Assist with permitting exhibits and environmental and jurisdictional permitting efforts.
• Coordinate with surveyors, geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, and substation electrical teams.
• Review civil-related vendor drawings and incorporate comments.
• Assist with quantity takeoffs and preparation of project deliverables.
• Apply client standards, local agency requirements, and industry best practices.

Skills

Civil site design

Coordination

Documentation

Education

Associate’s degree or technical diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Drafting Technology, or related field

Tools

MicroStation

Civil 3D

OpenRoads

Job description

We are looking for a skilled and experienced Substation Civil Site Designer to work out of our Chicago office or remotely.

In this role, you will work alongside Civil engineers to develop site design drawing packages and supporting documentation for electric utility substation projects. Projects range from greenfield substations to brownfield expansions and require coordination with multiple engineering disciplines. (While substation experience is preferred, it is not required)

Responsibilities Include:

• Develop new and modify existing substation civil site plan drawings.
• Prepare grading, drainage, and stormwater management plans.
• Develop erosion and sediment control plans in accordance with local and state requirements.
• Prepare roadway, access drive, and site layout plans.
• Perform earthwork grading and cut/fill balancing using Civil 3D or OpenRoads/MicroStation workflows.
• Perform AutoTURN analyses for construction and maintenance vehicle access.
• Prepare utility layouts including storm sewer, sanitary, and water service plans where required.
• Develop permit-ready civil drawing packages for utility and agency review.
• Assist with preparation of permitting exhibits and support environmental and jurisdictional permitting efforts.
• Coordinate with surveyors, geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, and substation electrical teams.
• Review civil-related vendor drawings and incorporate comments as required.
• Assist with quantity takeoffs and preparation of project deliverables.
• Apply applicable client standards, local agency requirements, and industry best practices to all assignments.

Substation Civil Site Designer Qualifications:

• Level 3:
  • Associate’s degree or technical diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Drafting Technology, or related field.
  • Minimum 2 years of civil site design experience using MicroStation.
• Level 4:
  • Associate’s degree or technical diploma in Civil Engineering Technology, Drafting Technology, or related field.
  • Minimum 3 years of civil site design experience using MicroStation.
• Strong proficiency with MicroStation (required).
• Experience developing civil site plans for utility, industrial, commercial, or municipal projects.
• Working knowledge of grading design and earthwork calculations.
• Experience preparing erosion and sediment control plans.
• Familiarity with stormwater management principles and permitting requirements.
• Experience performing AutoTURN vehicle turning analyses.
• Understanding of site development permitting processes and agency coordination.
• Ability to interpret survey and geotechnical information.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel.
• Strong communication and organizational skills.
• Ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary engineering teams.
• Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality deliverables.

Substation Site Civil Designer Preferred Experience/Additional information:

• Experience supporting electric utility substation projects.
• Familiarity with utility client standards.
• Experience with HEC-RAS, Hydraflow, HydroCAD, or similar hydrology software.
• Knowledge of SWPPP preparation and stormwater permitting requirements.
• Experience coordinating local, county, and state permitting agencies.

At Leidos, we pride ourselves on being a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Our Power Delivery Services Team is the go‑to for utilities and mobile operators who need reliable power and telecommunication expertise. We've worked with over 50 investor‑owned utilities, over 160 municipals/cooperatives, and we're continuing to expand our reach. Plus, we've got an amazing group of industry‑leading construction partners who help us deliver meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader has been confirmed time and time again. Engineering News-Record (ENR) has ranked Leidos among the Top 10 T&D Firms and Top 10 Power Firms.

At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that provide them with an opportunity to thrive, professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. Your greatest work is ahead!

PDSSUBSTATION

PowerDelivery

If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo - because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 - and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Original Posting:

August 5, 2026

Pay Range:

Pay Range $48,100.00 - $86,950.00

The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

About Leidos

Leidos is an industry and technology leader serving government and commercial customers with smarter, more efficient digital and mission innovations. Headquartered in Reston, Virginia, with 47,000 global employees, Leidos reported annual revenues of approximately $16.7 billion for the fiscal year ended January 3, 2025. For more information, visit www.Leidos.com.

Pay and Benefits

• competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave
• Retirement

More details are available at www.leidos.com/careers/pay-benefits.

Securing Your Data

Beware of fake employment opportunities using Leidos’ name. Leidos will never ask you to provide payment‑related information during any part of the employment application process (i.e., ask you for money), nor will Leidos ever advance money as part of the hiring process (i.e., send you a check or money order before doing any work). Further, Leidos will only communicate with you through emails that are generated by the Leidos.com automated system - never from free commercial services (e.g., Gmail, Yahoo, Hotmail) or via WhatsApp, Telegram, etc. If you received an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment‑related information or any other personal information (e.g., about you or your previous employer), and you are concerned about its legitimacy, please make us aware immediately by emailing us at [e-mail]. If you believe you are the victim of a scam, contact your local law enforcement and report the incident to the U.S. Federal Trade Commission.

Commitment to Non-Discrimination

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.

#Remote