Substation Engineer I, II, Senior, Lead or Principal

Black Hills Energy; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 97,000 - 160,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Life insurance

Vision insurance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Paid holidays

Tuition reimbursement

401(k)

Relocation assistance

Job summary

Black Hills Energy in Rapid City, SD seeks a Substation Engineer I–Principal to develop professional skills in substation engineering and oversee major projects. The role offers opportunities to learn, contribute to designs, and advance within a leading energy utility.

Positions require travel up to 25% and a degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering, with relocation assistance available. Reporting to Substation Engineering Manager, you’ll join a team focused on safe, reliable energy

Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering.
• Valid driver's license and a driving record that meets company and insurer standards.
• Travel up to 25% of the time.

Responsibilities

• Manage and oversee major capital transmission and distribution projects.
• Create detailed layouts, plans, material lists, and construction drawings.
• Provide entry-level engineering support in substation design and electrical equipment upgrades.
• Anticipate problems and analyze using standard procedures.
• Develop solutions and align with department plans and priorities.
• Prioritize workflow and monitor milestones.
• May direct work of teams assigned to support projects.
• Use project management skills to support and/or lead projects.
• Maintain a safe work environment per safety policies.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Teamwork

MS Office

Project management

Multi-project handling

Self-motivated

Education

Bachelors in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering

Tools

MS Project

Outlook

Excel

Word

PowerPoint

Job description

Substation Engineer I, II, Senior, Lead or Principal

Benefits

• life insurance
• vision insurance
• parental leave
• paid time off
• paid holidays
• tuition reimbursement
• 401(k)
• relocation assistance

United States, South Dakota, Rapid City

Aug 28, 2026

Position summary

This position will have assignments designed to develop professional skills and competent technical knowledge within the area of substation engineering.

Pay Range

This posting includes the full pay range for this position. Pay is based on a number of factors and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, experience, and internal equity.

• Level I: $72,900 - $109,250
• Level II: $86,700 - $$130,050
• Senior: $97,150 - $160,150
• Lead: $105,750 - $174,450
• Principal: $116,500 - $192,400

Reporting Relationship

Substation Engineering Manager

Location

Pueblo, Colorado; Cheyenne, Wyoming or Rapid City, South Dakota

Relocation Assistance

Relocation assistance is available based on individual circumstances! Details to be shared during the offer process.

Essential Functions

• Under the supervision of senior engineers, manage, and provide oversight activities for major capital transmission and distribution projects.
• Create detailed electrical system layouts, plans, material lists, and construction arrangement drawings for the build out and upkeep of utility transmission and distribution substation facilities.
• Under direct supervision, provide entry-level engineering and support to Black Hills Energy's electric utilities in substation design and electrical equipment upgrades.
• Anticipate problems. Analyze and tackle a range of problems using standard procedures.
• Learn to develop solutions and implement actions. Adapt and contribute to department plans and priorities to address business and operational challenges.
• Prioritize workflow, establish schedule and monitor accomplishments. Begin to understand and consider cross-functional effect of priorities.
• Actively contribute to department/project work and facilitate teamwork. May direct the work of teams assigned to support projects or special assignments.
• Use project management skills to support and/or lead projects as assigned.
• Maintain a safe work environment through proficient knowledge of Black Hills Energy's safety policies, procedures and stop work authority.

Additional Responsibilities

• Complete all assigned training tasks and take initiative to seek out training opportunities. Continuously train to improve job skills.
• Support system operations group during outages and emergencies. Perform work in close proximity to energized facilities.
• Continue to establish positive, professional relationships throughout Black Hills Energy and with external organizations including being responsive to internal and external customers.

What Is Required

All Levels

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical or Mechanical Engineering required.
• This position requires driving responsibilities. You must hold and maintain a valid driver's license and a driving record that meets company and insurer standards.
• This role will be required to travel up to 25% of the time.

Level I

• No experience required. Training provided.

Level II

• Minimum of 1 year of relevant engineering experience.

Senior

• Minimum of 4 years of relevant engineering experience

Lead

• Minimum of 7 years of relevant engineering experience

Principal

• Minimum of 12 years of relevant engineering experience

What Is Desired

• Understand and apply fundamental concepts, practices and procedures of electrical engineering.
• General knowledge of network design, standards and system operations.
• Basic knowledge of Black Hills Energy's support functions, including but not limited to Finance, Accounting, IT and Supply Chain.
• Strong verbal and written communications skills.
• Ability to interact in a team environment.
• Strong computer skills, including proficiency in Microsoft Office Suite - Excel, Word, Power Point, Project and Outlook.
• Ability to maintain proficiency with new systems and software as technology evolves.
• Ability to work concurrently on multiple projects independently or as part of a team.
• Ability to document and track projects and work goals.
• Self-motivated with a desire to learn diverse topics and skills.

About our Company

We are a customer, growth and safety focused utility company that is dedicated to our communities. We improve life with energy as an energy partner of choice. Our diverse culture fuels unique perspectives, opening doors to new insights and possibilities. Based in Rapid City, South Dakota, we have over 3000 employees and serve 1.3 million natural gas and electric utility customers across eight states (South Dakota, Montana, Wyoming, Colorado, Nebraska, Iowa, Kansas, and Arkansas).

Benefit Package

• Annual discretionary bonuses
• 401(k) (6% company match and up to 9% company retirement contribution)
• tuition reimbursement
• generous paid time off benefits, including paid holidays and parental leave
• company paid life insurance and disability benefits (short and long term)
• critical illness
• accident & group hospital insurance
• pet insurancean employee assistance program and well-being benefits
• competitive medical, dental and vision insurance

Pre-Employment Screening

Candidates must successfully pass a pre-employment drug screen and background check. If there is anything that may show up in these reports that may conflict with the position requirements, feel free to contact the Black Hills Energy recruiting team at [e-mail].

Legal Status

Black Hills Energy does not sponsor applicants for work visas. All applicants must be legally authorized to work in the US.

Equal Opportunity

We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, or status as a protected veteran. If you require reasonable accommodation, please visit careers.blackhillsenergy.com for more information.