Substation Engineer - Transmission & Distribution (Kansas City)

Burns & McDonnell; Kansas City (MO); On-site; USD 90,000 - 130,000; Full time

Job summary

Burns & McDonnell seeks an experienced Substation Engineer focused on power transformers to join our specialized team in the Kansas City area. You will oversee transformer specification, manufacturing, and testing for major utility clients nationwide, acting as the primary technical authority from bids to energization.

You will liaise with clients and global suppliers, review vendor drawings, and support FAT testing at domestic and international facilities.

Qualifications

• ABET-accredited degree with 3 years substation experience.
• FE exam completed (EIT) or in process.
• 3 years dedicated experience in power transformer application, specification and testing.
• Experience reviewing bids, evaluating technical specs, drawings and FATs.
• Excellent written and verbal communication, plus analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient with Microsoft Office Suite.
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Willingness to travel up to 30% domestically and internationally.

Responsibilities

• Serve as central technical authority from specification to energization, ensuring quality and project success.
• Review bids, data sheets and drawings to verify transformer compliance with client specs and industry standards.
• Oversee manufacturing and FATs, coordinating virtual and in-person FAT visits.
• Act as liaison between utility clients and global transformer suppliers for issue resolution.
• Interface with design teams to ensure equipment aligns with engineering design.

Skills

Substation engineering

Transformer testing

Bid reviews

FATs involvement

Communication skills

MS Office

Attention to detail

Leadership

Problem solving

Travel readiness

Education

ABET-accredited engineering degree

FE exam (EIT)

Job description

Description

At Burns & McDonnell, we are a 100% employee-owned firm, meaning your technical contributions directly translate into shared success. You will join a collaborative, highly specialized team with access to industry-recognized leaders and the resources needed to continuously advance your career.

Take the next step in your career as a specialized professional in the power industry’s most critical assets. We are seeking an experienced substation engineer with a focus on power transformers to join our dedicated technical team. In this role, you will leverage your existing knowledge to oversee the application, specification, manufacturing and testing of complex transformers for major utility clients nationwide.

How You Will Make an Impact

You will be a central technical authority, driving quality and project success from specification to final energization.

Drive Quality and Standards

Dive into the complex technical details by reviewing initial bids, proposals, data sheets and final manufacturer drawings. You will verify that every transformer meets rigorous client specifications and industry standards.

Oversee Manufacturing and Testing

See your projects through production. You will have the opportunity to participate in and oversee Factory Acceptance Testing (FAT) both virtually and in person at domestic and international manufacturing facilities to witness fabrication and review performance firsthand.

Act as a Client and Supplier Partner

Serve as the primary technical liaison between our utility clients and major global transformer suppliers. You will facilitate drawing review meetings, resolve complex manufacturing challenges and become a trusted resource for project managers.

Design Team Connection

Act as the primary technical interface between equipment vendors and project design teams. Throughout the procurement and fabrication cycles, you will clarify specifications, answer vendor questions and confirm that the equipment aligns with the overall engineering design.

Qualifications

• Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program and 3 years of substation engineering experience, consulting preferred.

• Bachelor Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology or related degree from an ABET accredited program and successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam 3 years of substation engineering experience, consulting preferred

• 3 years of dedicated engineering experience specifically focused on power transformer application, specification and testing is strongly preferred.

• Proven experience reviewing bids, evaluating technical specifications, reviewing manufacturer drawings and participating in FATs.

• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical and problem- solving skills.

• Proficient computer skills (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).

• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.

• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.

• Desire to work in a collaborative team environment.

• Demonstrated leadership skills.

• Must be capable of applying diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices to broad areas of assignments.

• Must be capable of devising new approaches to problems encountered.

• Engineers in Training-EIT Certification preferred.

• The capacity to travel domestically and internationally up to 30% to serve our clients at their point of need.

This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.

EEO/Disabled/Veterans

Job

Electrical Engineering

Primary Location

US-MO-Kansas City

Schedule

Full-time

Travel

Yes, 25 % of the Time

Req ID

263320

Job Hire Type

Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D N/A