Substation Designer

Actalent; Raleigh (NC); Hybrid; USD 50,000 - 83,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental & vision

401(k) retirement plan

Career growth opportunities

Job summary

Actalent in Raleigh, NC seeks a Substation Design Technician to support high-voltage utility substation design from initial layout to construction. You will work with engineers and multidisciplinary teams to develop detailed construction drawing packages and ensure project readiness through commissioning.

The role offers a hybrid schedule, collaboration with senior engineers, and opportunities to grow expertise in power delivery while contributing to essential infrastructure projects.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (ABET accredited preferred).
• Experience using AutoCAD and Microsoft Office.
• 1+ years of experience developing substation layouts and design drawings.
• 2-8 years of experience supporting substation physical design projects.
• Understanding of IEEE, NESC, and NEC.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed substation design packages, including: general arrangement drawings, equipment layouts and elevations, grounding and lightning protection plans, conduit, cable tray and raceway layouts, bills of material.
• Produce high-quality, construction-ready drawing packages for utility substation projects.
• Support engineering calculations related to ground grid design, conductor and bus sizing, cable sizing and routing, AC/DC auxiliary systems.
• Assist with design reviews and quality checks to ensure compliance with project requirements and industry standards.
• Coordinate with Protection & Control, Civil, Structural, and Design teams to develop integrated project solutions.
• Participate in site visits to gather field data, verify existing conditions, and support construction and commissioning activities.
• Collaborate with contractors, clients, and project teams to resolve design and constructability issues.

Skills

Technical problem-solving

Team collaboration

Multidisciplinary teamwork

Attention to detail

Education

Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (ABET accredited preferred)

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

Job description

Raleigh, NC | Hybrid (3 Days In Office / 2 Days Remote)

Substation Design Technician

About The Opportunity

Join a highly respected Power Delivery team supporting critical infrastructure projects that help keep communities and industries connected. This is an exciting opportunity for a Substation Design Technician who wants to work on challenging utility projects while enjoying the flexibility of a hybrid work environment.

Position Overview

We are seeking a Substation Design Technician to support the design and development of high-voltage utility substation projects. In this role, you'll work closely with engineers, designers, and multidisciplinary project teams to develop detailed construction drawing packages and support the execution of projects from initial design through construction and commissioning.

The ideal candidate enjoys technical problem-solving, thrives in a collaborative environment, and is interested in growing their expertise within the power and utility industry.

Key Responsibilities

• Develop detailed substation design packages, including:
  • General arrangement drawings
  • Equipment layouts and elevations
  • Grounding and lightning protection plans
  • Conduit, cable tray, and raceway layouts
  • Bills of material
• Produce high-quality, construction‑ready drawing packages for utility substation projects.
• Support engineering calculations related to:
  • Ground grid design
  • Conductor and bus sizing
  • Cable sizing and routing
  • AC/DC auxiliary systems
• Assist with design reviews and quality checks to ensure compliance with project requirements and industry standards.
• Coordinate with Protection & Control, Civil, Structural, and Design teams to develop integrated project solutions.
• Participate in site visits to gather field data, verify existing conditions, and support construction and commissioning activities.
• Collaborate with contractors, clients, and project teams to resolve design and constructability issues.

Qualifications

Required

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (ABET accredited preferred).
• Experience using AutoCAD and Microsoft Office.
• 1+ years of experience developing substation layouts and design drawings.
• 2-8 years of experience supporting substation physical design projects.
• Understanding of industry standards including IEEE, NESC, and NEC.
• Strong attention to detail and ability to work within a multidisciplinary team environment.

Preferred

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification.
• Interest in pursuing Professional Engineer (PE) licensure.
• Experience supporting utility, transmission, distribution, or EPC projects.
• Familiarity with AIS and/or GIS substation design.
• Experience with MicroStation, Bentley Substation, Revit, or other 2D/3D design platforms.

Why Join This Team?

• Hybrid schedule offering flexibility and work‑life balance.
• Opportunity to work on impactful utility infrastructure projects.
• Exposure to all phases of substation design, from planning through construction and commissioning.
• Collaborative team environment with strong mentorship and knowledge‑sharing.
• Opportunity to develop specialized expertise in a growing and essential industry.
• Clear path for technical growth and long‑term career development.
• Work alongside experienced engineers and power delivery professionals on complex, high‑visibility projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Raleigh, NC.

Pay And Benefits

The pay range for this position is $32.00 - $60.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post‑tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long‑term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in Raleigh,NC.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Oct 14, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email [e-mail] for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.