Substation Engineer at NorthWestern Energy

Longwood University; Montana; On-site; USD 75,000 - 100,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

401K with company match

Healthcare benefits

Paid time off and holidays

Paid training opportunities

Job summary

A leading energy company is seeking a Substation Operations Engineer to manage substation projects in Montana and South Dakota. The role involves designing and overseeing construction, project management tasks including budgeting and scheduling, and maintaining safety and compliance standards. Candidates must possess a B.S. in Engineering with a preference for those pursuing a Professional Engineer's License. Competitive benefits package offered.

Qualifications

• Must have a B.S. degree in Engineering.
• Ability to obtain a Professional Engineer's License is preferred.
• Excellent computer skills and proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.

Responsibilities

• Design and implement innovative substation projects.
• Manage a project from inception to completion, including estimating, budgeting, and scheduling.
• Coordinate and oversee contractor teams for substation projects.

Job description

Overview

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About this position:

The Substation Operations Engineer is responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of substations in Montana and South Dakota. Key duties include substation layout and one line/three-line development, grading design, concrete foundation design, steel and wood structure design, and ground mat analysis and design. The Substation Operations Engineer is also responsible for project management tasks, including estimating, scheduling, budgeting, and forecasting, to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with operational goals. This role involves close collaboration with contract crews and NorthWestern Energy\'s internal crews throughout construction, commissioning and energization of substations. The Engineer will also work alongside relay engineers, transmission line engineers, distribution engineers, and lands and permitting specialists to ensure designs meet industry standards.

Benefits

We offer great benefits:

• 401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
• Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
• Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
• Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
• Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
• Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
• Paid parental leave
• Paid training opportunities
• Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays

Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.

About this job

• Design and implement innovative, cost-effective solutions to optimize substation projects
• Manage a project from inception to completion, including estimating, designing, budgeting, forecasting, procuring materials, scheduling and overseeing execution
• Coordinate and oversee contractor teams and subcontractors for substation projects
• Maintain substation drawings and records, such as construction plans, equipment specs, correspondence, purchase orders, and approval drawings
• Spec, request quotes, create purchase requisitions/orders, and procure relevant materials for projects
• Develop detailed, phased construction plans, including clearances/outages, material deliveries, tasks, and responsibilities
• Prepare construction packages, including drawings, standards, plans, material lists, charge data, clearance details, and other relevant information
• Coordinate projects with applicable internal/external stakeholders
• Develop annual work plans and schedule projects
• Provide technical support for operations
• Design and evaluate projects to ensure compliance with industry and company standards
• Proficiency or ability to learn relevant software tools; Microsoft Suite, SAP, Cascade, AutoCAD
• Strong focus on safety and reliability
• Experience (preferred) or interest in substation design
• Use of safe work practices in the design and construction of substation facilities
• Perform technical training for crew members, contractors, and subcontractors, as applicable
• Travel to jobsites, off-site meetings, and trainings (up to 60% travel per year) including overnight stays when necessary
• Participate in an On- Call rotation, after-hours duties, periodically, for one week at a time; this includes response to emergency situations and calling personnel out for after-hours activities
• Work extended hours as required
• Perform individual lifts of supplies and materials weighing up to 35 pounds
• Provide backup for Supervisors and Engineers during periods of leave
• All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
• Ensure self and others\' actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy\'s values, mission, and strategic business objectives

Success profile

• Must have a B.S. degree in Engineering
  • December 2025 graduates encouraged to apply
• Ability to obtain a Professional Engineer\'s License is preferred
• Excellent computer skills and proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
• Working knowledge of AutoCAD or other structural design software
• Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
• Valid driver\'s license and satisfactory driving record

Entry Level position - Bachelor\'s degree in engineering required for all levels. Produce basic designs utilizing existing procedures and standards; applying modifications as directed. Responsibilities include designing and constructing substations. Produce basic substation layouts and one line/three line development, grading design, concrete foundation design equipment specification and all aspects of construction. Work on multiple projects and meet project deadlines. Perform peer review of colleagues. Develop basic understanding of substation operations and ensure compliance with industry standards. Accurate data keeping.

Bachelor\'s degree in engineering required Intermediate Working knowledge to produce conventional designs and deliverables of limited complexity; independently applying modifications for which precedents are generally established. Effectively manage projects of limited scope; accurately adjusting scope, schedule and budget as variances occur. Independently produce substation analysis and designs of limited complexity; applying modifications for which precedents are generally established. Efficiently supports and works closely with contract and internal crews during the construction commissioning and energization of substations. in independently analyzing/troubleshooting relay malfunctions and supporting commissioning activities. Ability to obtain a PE license is preferred and strongly encouraged in order to progress.

Bachelor\'s degree in engineering required. Additional certifications or advanced degrees may be beneficial. Expertise in utilizing resource planning software. Profound knowledge of construction and compliance requirements. Produce designs and deliverables of varying complexity including conflicting design requirements or special considerations; independently applying modifications as needed. Perform peer review of colleagues\' work. Independently and effectively manage projects and programs of moderate to extensive scope; accurately adjusting scope, schedule, and budget as variances occur. Proactively support customers, both internal and external. Lead complex substation engineering projects, from design through construction implementation. Develop and implement new standards/processes. Provide expertise on substation engineering philosophy and substation construction projects. Proactively collaborate with senior management and operations on strategic substation design decisions. Conduct comprehensive research to support strategic decision-making. The ability to obtain a Professional Engineer License is preferred and strongly encouraged in order to progress fully within the profession.

May include an advanced degree and PE preferred and may be required for certain positions. Technical substation leadership experience with a proven track record of improving and driving substation processes and standards. In-depth expert on operational and compliance requirements and processes. Strong strategic planning skills to align substation design and implementation with organizational objectives/initiatives. Executive communication and presentation abilities to convey complex information to top management effectively. Innovative thinking for substation design and complex problem-solving. Mastery of project management tools. Extensive experience in designing and managing large, complex substation jobs. Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking skills.

For more information, or to apply now, you must go to the website below. Please DO NOT email your resume to us as we only accept applications through our website.

https://northwesternenergy.applicantpro.com/jobs/3851762-864654.html

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at [e-mail]