Substation Engineer

WSP; San Diego (CA); On-site; USD 78,600 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical and dental coverage

Retirement savings

Paid vacation

Paid parental leave

Job summary

WSP is looking for a Substation Engineer to join their Data Center Initiation Team in San Diego, CA. This role is critical for early-stage substation planning and design for data center projects, collaborating across teams to support feasibility and infrastructure planning.

Ideal candidates will have strong electrical engineering skills and experience with substation design. You'll help develop project concepts, manage project deliverables, and contribute to various project phases, ensuring compliance and quality outcomes.

WSP offers a comprehensive benefits package, and expected compensation ranges from $78,600 to $135,000, depending on experience and location.

Qualifications

• 3+ years of substation design experience.
• Experience supporting physical or protection & control design.
• Understanding of utility substation systems and equipment.

Responsibilities

• Support multidisciplinary coordination for site evaluation.
• Contribute to proposal development.
• Assist in execution of substation projects.

Skills

Electrical Engineering

Substation Design

Communication Skills

Problem-Solving Skills

Education

Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering

Job description

This Opportunity

WSP is initiating a search for a Substation Engineer to support our Data Center Initiation Team in San Diego, CA. The following locations will also be considered: Kansas City, KS, Seattle, WA, New York, NY, Portland, OR, Houston, TX and St. Louis, MO. This role contributes to early-stage substation planning and design development for data center clients, working collaboratively across business lines to support feasibility, site evaluation, and infrastructure planning.

In this role, you’ll help shape the early vision for substation design and electrical infrastructure supporting cutting‑edge data center projects. You’ll contribute to developing preliminary concepts and layouts that inform key feasibility and planning decisions—giving you exposure to the most strategic phase of project delivery.

Working alongside multidisciplinary teams across all the divisions that WSP has to offer, you’ll help evaluate site suitability, coordinate with utilities, and assess infrastructure requirements. Your contributions will play a meaningful role in turning complex project needs into practical, well‑informed solutions.

You’ll support technical decision‑making around substation configuration, equipment selection, and layout development—building your expertise while helping deliver quality outcomes aligned with client goals. This role offers strong opportunities to grow your technical skills while contributing to projects as they progress from concept through detailed design and into delivery.

If you’re looking to develop your expertise, collaborate with industry experts, and be part of impactful infrastructure projects from day one, this is an excellent opportunity to build your career.

Your Impact

• Support multidisciplinary coordination for site evaluation, planning, and infrastructure integration
• Contribute to proposal development, including technical input and scope definition
• Assist in execution of substation projects across planning, design, procurement, and construction phases
• Coordinate with internal teams, utilities, vendors, and stakeholders for project delivery
• Participate in site visits and field activities to validate design assumptions and resolve issues
• Support development of project schedules, deliverables, and budgets
• Perform substation design tasks including:
  • One‑line diagrams, schematics, and wiring diagrams
  • Layouts, grounding, lightning protection, and basic SCADA systems
• Prepare design deliverables such as general arrangements, sections, BOMs, and cable/conduit plans
• Support development of equipment specifications and vendor coordination
• Follow QA/QC procedures and verify accuracy of deliverables
• Prepare reports, calculations, and technical documentation
• Work collaboratively with senior engineers and project leads
• Maintain compliance with codes, standards, and company policies
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering
• 3+ years of substation design experience
• Experience supporting physical or protection & control design
• Understanding of utility substation systems and equipment
• Familiarity with substation design processes and standard
• Ability to perform engineering calculations and interpret technical documents
• Strong communication and teamwork skills
• Ability to manage assignments with moderate supervision
• Demonstrated problem‑solving skills and attention to detail
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project‑specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Engineering
• EIT certification; on path to obtain a PE licensure
• Experience supporting multi‑discipline projects

WSP Benefits:

WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on a providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.

Compensation:
Expected Salary (all locations): $78,600 - $135,000

WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.