Substation EPC Program Lead

HDR; Seattle (WA); On-site; USD 155,064 - 221,520; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Dental benefits

Vision benefits

Retirement plan

Tuition reimbursement

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Substation EPC Program Lead to manage the substation scope within large EPC infrastructure programs. You will lead a multidisciplinary HDR team, coordinate with owners, engineering teams, and contractors, and advise clients on design, permitting, and execution strategies.

The role requires a PE license, extensive substation experience, and willingness to travel. HDR emphasizes employee ownership and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in related field required.
• At least 10 years of related experience.
• Minimum 5 years of project management experience.
• Ability to interact with diverse design teams and stakeholders.
• Excellent organizational, project management and communication skills.
• Active participant in employee-owned culture required.

Responsibilities

• Lead substation scope within large EPC programs, focusing on technical delivery and coordination.
• Advise clients on technical, regulatory, and execution aspects of substation development.
• Plan, direct and monitor all aspects of substation scope execution with EPC contractor.
• Oversee site selection, engineering, environmental planning, permitting, and equipment strategy.
• Coordinate risk identification and mitigation for substation delivery.
• Develop execution plans and tools tailored to substation scope and improve efficiency.
• Mentor HDR staff and subconsultants working on substation projects.
• Engage with clients, utilities, agencies, and stakeholders for permitting and approvals.

Skills

Substation design

EPC delivery

Project management

Stakeholder coordination

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in related field

PMP certification

Tools

Microsoft Office

Estimating software

Scheduling software

Project management software

Job description

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?

Watch Our Story: ' https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story'

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

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

What We Believe

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.

Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.

We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which 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.

The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) {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 BusinessClass: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.