Substation Electrical Engineer

Paul J. Ford and Company; Columbus (OH); Hybrid; USD 110,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental and vision insurance

Company paid life insurance

Disability insurance

Paid holidays, vacation and sick time

401(k) savings plan

Remote or hybrid work flexibility

Job summary

Paul J. Ford & Company is seeking a Substation Electrical Engineer in Columbus, OH. The role involves leading electrical substation design, modeling, and documentation, with focus on HV/MV equipment, protection, and control. Remote or hybrid work is possible with occasional in-office collaboration.

The engineer will collaborate across teams to ensure code-compliant designs, oversee project execution, and support continuous improvement in substation practices.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from ABET-accredited program.
• 7+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering focused on substations.
• Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles and power systems.
• Familiarity with AIS and GIS substation concepts.
• Proficient in CAD software and electrical analysis tools (ETAP, PSCAD, or equivalent).
• Knowledge of IEEE, IEC, and ANSI standards.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Utilize AutoCAD for electrical substation design and detailed drawing development.
• Operate ETAP/PSCAD for system modeling and calculations.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation.
• Perform load flow, short circuit, and stability studies.
• Collaborate with internal teams, contractors, and clients on project execution.
• Ensure substation designs comply with IEEE/IEC/ANSI standards.

Skills

CAD software

ETAP

PSCAD

AutoCAD

SCADA systems

GIS mapping

Power systems knowledge

Analytical skills

Communication skills

Education

ABET-accredited B.S. in Electrical Engineering

Tools

ETAP

PSCAD

AutoCAD

Job description

A roadmap for employee success and long-term commitment.

The formula is simple – support professional development, recognize successes, provide flexibility, offer exceptional perks, invest in cutting edge technology and create a fun workplace.
Culture establishes the reasons people want to work at a company. Happy employees are loyal employees. With an extremely low turnover rate, meaningful employee perks and an enjoyable atmosphere, Paul J. Ford & Company has been regularly recognized as a top place to work. When employees were surveyed and asked about company culture, they used the following words to describe it, family-oriented, fun, supportive, collaborative, teamwork, relaxed and community.

With a first-class benefits package and unmatched employee perks, the company promotes a fun atmosphere that treats employees well to facilitate success.

• Medical, dental and visioninsurance
• Company paid life insurance, short-term and long-term disability
• Paid holidays, vacation and sicktime
• Paid time off to volunteer
• Paid maternity/paternity leave
• 401(k) savings program
• Engineers are paid straight time for overtime
• Frequent social events and employee lunches
• Employee Assistance Program
• Jury Duty Leave
• Wellness Program
• Allstate Critical Illness, Accident and Cancer Insurance

Professional Development

As a professional services firm, we understand that clients don’t hire a company, they hire people. We recognize that our greatest asset is our employees, so we want to continually invest in them by offering:

• Paid professional license fee – the company pays for engineers to take theprofessional engineering exam and offers a monetary bonus when passed
• Paid professional membership dues – the company encourages and pays formemberships in professional associations
• Continuing education – the company provides educational resourcesandtraining to further knowledge for not only engineering practices but also business fundamentals
• Tuition reimbursement - the company reimburses tuition expenses up to 10% of employee's salary or $5,000 whichever is less with maximum lifetime reimbursement of $25,000
• Cross Training – the company encourages engineers to learn new specialized skills through cross-training among our three market groups

Employee Stock Ownership Plan

Working hard today should include planning for the future. Paul J. Ford & Company makes saving for retirement easy. Since 1994, the firm has been an ESOP (Employee Stock Ownership Plan) company and became 100% employee owned in 2015. As an ESOP, our employees have a direct stake in the company, a position that they do not take lightly. In the role of employee owners, we are empowered to react quickly and make decisions in the best interest of our clients.
Employees are automatically enrolled in the ESOP which is driven by the profitability of the company and not by employee contributions. Basically, employees get significant benefits at no cost to them.
Historically, ESOP funds have provided a higher rate of return than other retirement plans which means higher employee balances. Research has also shown that ESOP companies are more profitable, grow faster, have more productive employees and ultimately a lower employee turnover rate.

Position: Substation Electrical Engineer

Location: Columbus, OH

Job Id: 319

# of Openings: 1

This position can be performed on a remote or hybrid basis for the right candidate, with occasional team days in the corporate office.

Education and Experience. The minimum qualifications a candidate needs to perform the role.

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET accredited program.
• 7+ years of professional experience in electrical engineering with focus on substations.
• Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles and power systems.
• Comprehensive knowledge of high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) substation design and operations.
• Proficient in electrical power distribution, protection, and control systems.
• Understanding of substation equipment including transformers, switchgear, cables, and protection systems.
• Knowledge of relevant industry codes and standards (IEEE, IEC, ASCE, ACI, ANSI).
• Familiarity with both air-insulated substations (AIS) and gas-insulated substation (GIS).
• Proficient in CAD software and electrical analysis tools (ETAP, PSCAD, or equivalent).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving abilities.
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Engineering and Technology.

• Utilize AutoCAD proficiently for electrical substation design and detailed drawing development.
• Operate electrical engineering analysis software (ETAP, PSCAD, or equivalent) for system modeling and calculations.
• Develop and maintain technical documentation.
• Perform engineering calculations and analysis using specialized software and spreadsheets.
• Understand and apply power system analysis tools for load flow, short circuit, and stability studies.
• Use SCADA systems and substation automation tools for operations and monitoring.
• Maintain proficiency with industry-standard equipment specification databases.
• Apply GIS mapping tools for substation location analysis and visualization.
• Stay current with software updates and new technology applications.
• Troubleshoot technical issues with design and analysis tools.
• Collaborate in a digital project environment using cloud-based platforms and collaboration tools.

Measures

• Proficiency in required software tools with minimal errors or rework.
• Timely adoption of new technologies and software updates.
• Completion of software training and certification programs.

Project Management.

• Develop detailed project schedules and timelines using project management tools.
• Maintain comprehensive project documentation including design drawings, specifications, and test reports.
• Coordinate with internal teams, contractors, and external stakeholders on project execution.
• Track project progress, milestones, and deliverables against established timelines.
• Manage substation project budgets and cost tracking.
• Prepare project status reports for management and clients.
• Coordinate meetings including design reviews, pre-construction meetings, and post-project evaluations.
• Maintain bill of materials and equipment specifications documentation.
• Ensure all project deliverables meet quality standards and client requirements.
• Organize and archive project records for future references.
• Support contract administration and client documentation.
• Communicate project changes and impacts to all stakeholders.

Measures

• Projects completed on schedule.
• Projects completed within budget.
• Client satisfaction with project delivery and documentation.
• Documentation completeness and accuracy.

Quality Assurance and Quality Control (QA/QC).

• Develop and implement comprehensive test plans for new and upgraded substation equipment and systems.
• Conduct rigorous design reviews to verify compliance with IEEE, IEC, ANSI, and company standards.
• Perform engineering calculations verification and peer review of technical work.
• Ensure substation designs comply all applicable codes, standards, and regulations.
• Conduct commissioning activities and factory acceptance testing (FAT) to verify equipment performance.
• Perform site acceptance testing (SAT) to validate system operation in field conditions.
• Document all test results, deficiencies, and corrective actions.
• Inspect physical substation construction for compliance with design specifications.
• Develop and maintain quality assurance checklists and procedures.
• Coordinate with QA/QC teams to resolve identified deficiencies.
• Ensure all drawings and specifications are accurate, complete, and current.
• Maintain traceability of equipment and materials to source documentation.
• Participate in equipment failure analysis and implement corrective measures.

Measures

• Zero critical defects found during commissioning and testing.
• Rework and corrective action completion within 10 days.
• Client inspection and acceptance rates of 100%.
• Compliance audit pass rates with zero non-conformances.

Business Development – Marketing and Sales.

• Identify and assess new substation projects and market opportunities.
• Prepare technical proposals and engineering scopes of work for potential clients.
• Support the team with technical expertise during client presentations and meetings.
• Develop relationships with clients, vendors, and regulatory agencies.
• Participate in industry conferences, trade shows, and networking events.
• Contribute to business development presentations with technical content and feasibility assessments.
• Support marketing efforts by providing technical documentation and case studies.
• Identify opportunities for service expansion in substation design and engineering.
• Collaborate with management on pricing and project profitability analysis.
• Maintain awareness of industry trends and competitive landscape.

Measures

• Number of new projects identified and proposals submitted.
• Win rate on submitted proposals.
• Revenue growth from new business initiatives.

Corporate and Department Planning.

• Participate in department planning meetings and contribute to engineering goals and objectives.
• Support development of project schedules, budgets, and resource allocation plans.
• Collaborate with management on departmental staffing plans and capacity assessments.
• Contribute to strategic initiatives that enhance substation design and operations processes.
• Assist in establishing quality and safety metrics for substation projects.
• Support continuous improvement initiatives withing the engineering department.
• Participate in annual department goal setting and planning sessions.
• Help identify process improvements and technology upgrades for substation systems.

Measures

• Departmental planning goals are met and are on schedule.
• Contribution to budget development accuracy within 5% variance.
• Participation in continuous improvement initiatives with documented outcomes.

Human Resources and Office Management.

• Maintain accurate tracking and project coding for billing and cost allocation.
• Participate in performance management discussions and goal-setting with supervisors.
• Support office operations by communicating with administrative staff.
• Comply with all company policies, procedures, and safety regulations.
• Participate in team meetings and departmental communications.
• Support mentoring and training of junior engineers and technicians.
• Maintain professional workspace organization and tool management.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and team building activities.
• Participate in safety meetings and incident prevention programs.
• Communicate HR-related concerns or issues to management through appropriate channels.

Measures

• Accurate and timely reporting of timesheets.
• Participation in team meetings and professional development.
• Safety compliance with zero violations.

Continuing Education.

• Maintain active PE license.
• Participate in industry association activities.
• Attend manufacturer training courses.
• Maintain knowledge of current codes and standards (ANSI, IEEE, IEC).
• Complete safety training and certifications as required.
• Participate in internal training and knowledge-sharing sessions.

Measures

• Complete the minimum number of hours for continuing education annually.
• Maintain all required professional licenses and certifications.

Special Project and Assignments.

• Lead multidisciplinary project teams on major substation initiatives.
• Perform emergency response engineering for critical substation failures.
• Support audits and regulatory compliance inspections.
• Develop standardized procedures and best practices documentation.
• Investigate equipment failures and recommend preventative measures.

Measures

• Timely completion of special assignments.
• Quality of deliverables meeting project objectives.
• Stakeholder satisfaction with assignment outcomes.

Work Environment and Physical Demands.

• This job involves both sedentary and active work; however, standing, walking, sitting, reaching with hands and arms, stopping or kneeling, talking, and hearing are required.
• Frequently uses computer and office equipment requiring extended sitting and screen time.
• Occasionally lifts and/or moves up to 50 pounds of equipment or materials.
• Occasionally visits to substation sites and construction areas, may be exposed to high places, electrical hazards, fumes, or airborne particles, outside weather conditions, extreme cold, extreme heat, and the risk of electrical shock.
• This job operates in a professional office environment with occasional field work.
• Overtime may be necessary as workloads and emergency dictate. This may include weekdays, weekends, and/or holidays.
• Due to the collaborative nature of this position and the need for site inspections and on-site client meetings, some in-office and field work is required during regular business hours, with flexibility for emergency response situations.
• Travel may be required to project sites, client locations, and industry events. May occasionally include overnight stays.
• Must wear required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) for extended periods while on site.
• Valid driver’s license and reliable transportation required for site visits and travel.

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position does not have any supervisory responsibilities.

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