Substation Engineer

Nexus Engineering Group; Oak Brook (IL); Hybrid; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

ESOP

Health benefits (medical/dental/vision

Life and disability insurance

401(k) with company match

Paid time off

Holidays

Parental leave

Professional development

Wellness benefits

Flexible schedule

Job summary

Nexus Engineering Group is seeking a Substation Engineer to design, analyze, and deliver electrical substation projects for utility, industrial, and power delivery clients. The role offers exposure across physical design, protection & control, studies, and field work, with an emphasis on hands-on problem-solving.

You will contribute from planning through construction, collaborating with multidisciplinary teams, and growing technically while delivering high-quality engineering work for a diverse

Qualifications

• 1+ years of engineering experience in utility, power delivery, or substation engineering.
• 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

Reading drawings

Analytical thinking

Teamwork

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

ETAP

SKM

CYME

CDEGS

Inventor

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

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

We may use AI tools to help our recruitment team review and organize applications. These tools support - but never replace - human judgment, and final hiring decisions are made by people. If you’d like to know more about how your data is handled, contact us at [e-mail].

The posted salary range represents the anticipated base pay for this position in accordance with applicable pay-transparency requirements and may vary based on experience, qualifications, skills, certifications, work location, and market conditions.

In addition to base pay, eligible employees may receive

• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) - an ownership stake and a share in the long-term success of Nexus
• Medical, dental, and vision coverage, plus life and disability insurance
• 401(k) with company match and discretionary bonus opportunities
• Paid time off, holidays, and paid parental leave
• Professional development and career advancement - training, certifications, licensure support, tuition assistance, and mentorship
• Wellness benefits and a flexible schedule where business needs allow