Substation Engineer

Socket.dev; Oak Brook (IL); Hybrid; USD 85,000 - 120,000; Full time

Job summary

Nexus Engineering Group is seeking a Substation Engineer to help design, analyze, and deliver electrical substation projects for utility, industrial, and power delivery clients. You’ll support design, analysis, and execution from planning through construction, contributing across disciplines—physical design, protection and control, engineering studies, field investigations, and construction support.

It’s a broad, hands-on role for a collaborative problem-solver who wants to grow across complex

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or related field.
• 1+ years of relevant engineering experience — utility, power delivery, electrical infrastructure, or substation engineering, including internship or co-op experience.
• Understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and engineering design principles.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, standards, and equipment documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Responsibilities

• Develop and revise engineering deliverables — drawings, calculations, specifications, reports, and technical documentation.
• Support the design and execution of substation projects from planning through construction.
• Apply industry, client, utility, and company standards to your engineering work products.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams — engineers, designers, project managers, clients, vendors, and contractors.
• Participate in site visits, field investigations, design reviews, and construction-support activities.
• Assist with equipment selection, design development, engineering analyses, and technical problem-solving.
• Communicate project status, technical issues, and design recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Deliver quality work within established schedules and budgets, and contribute to the Substation group’s technical standards and best practices.

Skills

Electrical engineering fundamentals

Reading drawings

Analytical skills

Team collaboration

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

ETAP

SKM

CYME

CDEGS

Job description

Nexus Engineering Group is employee-owned, full-service, and built by the people who do the work. As a Substation Engineer, you’ll help design, analyze, and deliver electrical substation projects for utility, industrial, and power delivery clients — with exposure across the full breadth of substation engineering.

You’ll support the design, analysis, and execution of substation projects from planning through construction, contributing across disciplines — physical design, protection and control, engineering studies, technical documentation, field investigations, and construction support. It’s a broad, hands-on role for a collaborative problem-solver who wants to grow across complex infrastructure projects while delivering high-quality engineering.

Why Nexus

You’ll own a piece of what you build. Nexus is employee-owned through our ESOP, so the value you help create comes back to you — not just outside shareholders. We invest in early-career engineers and give them real work from the start.

What you can expect

• Employee ownership (ESOP) — build equity in the firm as it grows
• Broad exposure across substation disciplines — physical design, P&C, studies, and field work — to help you find your path
• Mentorship from senior engineers who review your work and help you grow
• Full-service EPCm exposure, from concept through startup, across a diverse client base
• Career paths that grow with you — toward technical leadership, project management, or discipline leadership
• Flexible work arrangements where business needs allow

What You’ll Do

• Develop and revise engineering deliverables — drawings, calculations, specifications, reports, and technical documentation.
• Support the design and execution of substation projects from planning through construction.
• Apply industry, client, utility, and company standards to your engineering work products.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary project teams — engineers, designers, project managers, clients, vendors, and contractors.
• Participate in site visits, field investigations, design reviews, and construction-support activities.
• Assist with equipment selection, design development, engineering analyses, and technical problem-solving.
• Communicate project status, technical issues, and design recommendations to project stakeholders.
• Deliver quality work within established schedules and budgets, and contribute to the Substation group’s technical standards and best practices.

What We’re Looking For

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical Engineering Technology, or a related engineering discipline.
• 1+ years of relevant engineering experience — utility, power delivery, electrical infrastructure, or substation engineering, including internship or co-op experience.
• Understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and engineering design principles.
• Ability to read and interpret technical drawings, specifications, standards, and equipment documentation.
• Strong analytical, problem-solving, organizational, and communication skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team-oriented environment.

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience supporting utility, power delivery, industrial, or substation engineering projects.
• Familiarity with engineering software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, ETAP, SKM, CYME, CDEGS, Inventor, or similar design and analysis tools.
• Experience preparing engineering calculations, drawings, specifications, and technical reports.
• Field, construction, commissioning, utility operations, internship, or co-op experience.
• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, or progress toward professional licensure.

Work Environment & Physical Demands

Work is performed in a hybrid environment that includes office, remote, and active project-site settings. This role may require:

• Prolonged periods of sitting and working at a computer workstation, with or without reasonable accommodation
• Periodic travel to substations, construction sites, client facilities, and project locations
• Site visits that may involve exposure to outdoor weather, energized electrical equipment, noise, heavy equipment, and active construction environments; appropriate PPE must be worn
• The ability to walk uneven terrain, navigate outdoor substation yards, climb stairs, and access project-site areas, with or without reasonable accommodation