Substation EPC Program Lead

HDR; Boise (ID); On-site; USD 122,000 - 221,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Substation EPC Program Lead to lead the substation scope within large EPC infrastructure programs in the Idaho/Boise area and broader Northwest. You will coordinate with contractors, engineers, and clients to ensure safe, compliant, and on-schedule execution, while guiding permitting, design, and equipment strategies.

The role requires significant PM experience, strong communication, and the ability to travel as needed to support project coordination with HDR’s clients and

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field.
• 10 years related experience.
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience.
• Ability to interact with diverse design teams and strong communication skills.
• Active participation in an employee-owned culture.

Responsibilities

• Lead substation scope within large EPC programs, focusing on technical delivery, coordination and execution with contractors.
• Advise clients on technical, regulatory, and execution aspects of substation development including site development, permitting and equipment strategy.
• Plan, direct and monitor all substation scope execution with EPC construction partner and oversee site selection, layout, engineering, environmental planning, permitting and procurement.
• Coordinate outages, energization, commissioning, and serve as primary interface among owner, engineering teams and EPC contractor.
• Mentor HDR staff and subconsultants; ensure resources meet scope and contract requirements.
• Monitor scope, schedule and budget; support change management; engage clients and stakeholders.

Skills

Leadership

Communication

Project management

Coordination

Travel willingness

Education

Bachelor's degree

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Scheduling software

PM software

Job description

In the role of Substation EPC Program Lead, we’ll count on you to:

• Assume leadership responsibility for the substation scope within large, multidisciplinary EPC infrastructure programs, with a focus on technical delivery, coordination, and execution alongside contractor partners.
• Advise clients on the technical, regulatory, and execution aspects of substation development, including site development, physical and electrical design, permitting, constructability, outage planning, protection and control integration, and equipment strategy.
• Plan, direct, and monitor all aspects of substation scope execution, working in partnership with the EPC contractor responsible for construction. Responsibilities include oversight and coordination of:
  • Site selection and layout development
  • Engineering (physical design, electrical systems, protection & controls, grounding, SCADA/communications)
  • Environmental planning and compliance
  • Permitting and land use coordination
  • Procurement support and long‑lead equipment strategy (e.g., transformers, breakers, major electrical equipment)
  • Construction support and field coordination
• Outage coordination, energization, and commissioning support
• Serve as the primary substation interface between the owner, engineering teams, and the EPC contractor to ensure alignment on design intent, execution strategy, system integration, and constructability.
• Coordinate closely with transmission line, system planning, real estate and environmental teams to ensure seamless integration across the broader program.
• Anticipate and identify risks and issues specific to substation delivery, including equipment lead times, design coordination challenges, outage constraints, system integration risks, and contractor execution challenges. Support the client in issue resolution, risk mitigation, and timely decision‑making.
• Develop and implement execution plans, work processes, and tools specific to the substation scope to improve efficiency, enhance coordination with the contractor, and maintain transparency.
• Provide oversight of design and construction activities performed by others, ensuring compliance with client requirements, industry standards, and program QA/QC expectations.
• Direct and coordinate a multidisciplinary team of HDR staff and subconsultants. Promote alignment through effective communication and ensure resources are in place to meet scope and contract requirements.
• Monitor scope, schedule, and budget performance for the substation portion of the program, while ensuring conformance with contract documents. Support change management processes and ensure alignment with overall program goals.
• Engage with clients, utilities, agencies, and stakeholders to support permitting, approvals, communication, and resolution of technical and execution challenges.
• Mentor and develop staff working on substation projects and programs.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineering (PE) License
• Significant experience in substation design and/or EPC delivery
• Experience delivering or overseeing high‑voltage substation projects (e.g., 69kV–500kV+)
• Due to applicable government contract requirements, this position requires U.S. citizenship.
• Strong understanding of substation design standards, protection and control systems, permitting processes, and construction methods
• Experience working collaboratively with EPC contractors or construction partners
• Familiarity with alternative delivery models (EPC, P3, DBFOM)
• Experience working within a Program Management Office (PMO) environment
• PMP certification
• Willingness to travel and support project and field coordination activities

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field
• 10 years related experience
• A minimum of 5 years of project management experience
• Familiar with Microsoft Office, estimating and scheduling software, project management software
• Must have the ability to interact with various design teams, have excellent organizational, project management and communication (both written and verbal) skills
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that includes medical, dental, vision, short‑ and long‑term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement.

Compensation range (Seattle/Bellevue, WA): $155,064 - $221,520; Spokane, WA: $122,759 - $175,370

Primary Location: United States‑Oregon‑Portland

Other Locations: United States‑Washington‑Spokane, United States‑Idaho‑Boise, United States‑Washington‑Seattle, United States‑Washington‑Bellevue

Industry: Power

Schedule: Full‑time

Employee Status: Regular

Business Class: Substation Engineering

Job Posting: Jul 16, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.