Substation Physical Engineer

Leidos LLC; Chicago (IL); Hybrid; USD 87,000 - 157,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

PE license support

PMP certification support

Technical & Non-Technical Training

Leadership opportunities

Mentorship & Training

Opportunity to lead and grow

Job summary

Leidos seeks a Substation Physical Engineer to lead substation physical design projects from concept through completion. You will work on 12 kV to 500 kV systems, coordinating with internal teams and clients to ensure safe, reliable layouts and adherence to budgets and schedules.

The role emphasizes QA/QC, detailed drawings, grounding layouts, and BOM creation, with opportunities for leadership, training, and career growth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 4+ years of substation physical design experience.
• Senior Level: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 8+ years of substation physical design experience.
• Experience performing grounding studies, lightning protection analysis, and lighting studies.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and clients to support project needs.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and stay organized in fast‑paced or high‑pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment, contribute to group success, and provide leadership when needed.
• Self‑starter who can take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical abilities with a track record of solving engineering challenges both independently and collaboratively.
• High level of computer competency and comfort working with engineering tools and software.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and client locations as needed.

Responsibilities

• Lead and support the delivery of substation physical design projects, ensuring technical excellence and on‑time performance.
• Partner closely with internal engineering groups and external clients to understand needs, align expectations, and deliver solutions that exceed standards.
• Perform detailed QA/QC reviews on substation physical design packages, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and compliance.
• Read, design, and review essential substation drawings, including one‑lines, three‑lines, plan‑and‑section views, grounding layouts, and foundation designs.
• Create and verify bills of materials for substation physical components, ensuring precision and alignment with project requirements.
• Conduct site visits at customer locations to gather data, validate designs, and support successful project execution.
• Successful candidates must comply with quality control and safe work practices and maintain compliance with project scope, schedule, and budget.
• This position will be a member of a design team comprised of engineers, designers, and CAD technicians and will work with client standards to implement design.

Skills

Communication skills

Team leadership

Project management

Grounding studies

Lightning protection

AC/DC circuits

Analytical abilities

Engineering tools proficiency

Education

Electrical Engineering degree

Tools

WinIGS

CDEGS

Job description

Looking for an opportunity to make an impact? At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. Your greatest work is ahead!

We’re seeking a Substation Physical Engineer to take a key role in delivering high‑impact substation physical design projects. You’ll work on utility systems ranging from 12 kV to 500 kV, contributing to major grid‑modernization efforts and supporting how renewable generation connects to the grid. In this role, you’ll apply your expertise in digital logic design and AC/DC circuits to develop safe, reliable, and efficient substation physical layouts. From equipment arrangement to grounding and structural components, you’ll help shape the next generation of substation projects powering communities.

Successful candidates can look forward to a fast paced, diverse work environment and flexible work hours/work arrangements as well as managers who will encourage career development and growth including:

• Professional Engineer License (PE).
• Project Management Professional (PMP).
• Technical & Non-Technical Training Opportunities.
• Leadership Opportunities.
• Mentorship & Training Opportunities.
• Opportunity to Lead, Grow, and Inspire a Dynamic Team

Begin your journey of a flourishing and meaningful career.

The Challenge

Lead and support the delivery of substation physical design projects, ensuring technical excellence and on‑time performance.

Partner closely with internal engineering groups and external clients to understand needs, align expectations, and deliver solutions that exceed standards.

Perform detailed QA/QC reviews on substation physical design packages, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and compliance.

Read, design, and review essential substation drawings, including one‑lines, three‑lines, plan‑and‑section views, grounding layouts, and foundation designs.

Create and verify bills of materials for substation physical components, ensuring precision and alignment with project requirements.

Conduct site visits at customer locations to gather data, validate designs, and support successful project execution.

Successful candidates must comply with quality control and safe work practices and maintain compliance with project scope, schedule, and budget.

This position will be a member of a design team comprised of engineers, designers, and CAD technicians and will work with client standards to implement design.

What Sets You Apart

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 4+ years of substation physical design experience.
• Senior Level: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (or related field) with 8+ years of substation physical design experience.
• Experience performing grounding studies, lightning protection analysis, and lighting studies.
• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with internal teams and clients to support project needs.
• Proven ability to meet deadlines and stay organized in fast‑paced or high‑pressure situations.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively in a team environment, contribute to group success, and provide leadership when needed.
• Self‑starter who can take initiative and work with minimal supervision.
• Strong analytical abilities with a track record of solving engineering challenges both independently and collaboratively.
• High level of computer competency and comfort working with engineering tools and software.
• Willingness to travel to project sites and client locations as needed.

You Might Also Have

• Engineer Intern (“EI” or “EIT”) professional certification.
• Professional Engineer (“PE”) License.
• Working knowledge of protection and control design
• Experience with bus calculation
• Experience with WinIGS or CDEGS
• Master’s degree in related field.

Hybrid Work Schedule

Hybrid Work Schedule: (3 days in Chicago, IL office) 2–3 Days of In-Person Connection:

Build strong relationships with colleagues and clients by being in the office or on-site. It’s the perfect way to strengthen collaboration and ensure seamless communication.

Networking Events: Expand your horizons and make valuable connections at industry-leading events. You’ll be in the right rooms, with the right people, at the right time.

Continuous Development: Stay at the forefront of innovation by participating in top-tier training programs and conferences.

Personal growth isn’t optional here; it’s part of the package.

The Best of Both Worlds: With the flexibility to work remotely on other days, you’ll have the freedom to focus, recharge, and bring your A-game to every opportunity.

OR Remote

Candidates must be located in the United States within the following states (IL, MI, OH, IN, KY, OK, TX, or VA) and be willing to travel to customer sites or the office as needed.

WHAT WE DO

Leidos is a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Utilities and mobile operators rely on our Power Delivery Services Team for reliable power and telecommunication expertise, as reflected through our work with more than 50 investor-owned utilities, more than 160 municipals/cooperatives, as well as a growing number of mobile operators, local utility providers and private developers. In addition to providing engineering and project management services, Leidos works with an established group of industry-leading construction partners delivering meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader is confirmed by the latest national rankings by Engineering News-Record (ENR) ranking Leidos within the Top 10 T&D Firms, and Top 10 Power Firms.

At Leidos, we deliver innovative solutions through the efforts of our diverse and talented people who are dedicated to our customers’ success. We empower our teams, contribute to our communities, and operate sustainably. Everything we do is built on a commitment to do the right thing for our customers, our people, and our community. Our Mission, Vision, and Values guide the way we do business. We take care of our employees. Leidos seeks the best and the brightest, and in return, we invest in you, with an eye on your future, through career advancement, growth opportunities and continuous improvement via mentoring, formal and informal project management training and assistance with obtaining pertinent certifications. We challenge you to help solve some of the world’s toughest problems, and reward you with a welcoming culture that recognizes the importance of a strong work/life balance, as well as competitive compensation and benefits. We believe that diversity and inclusion make us all better and offer the chance to have fun and make a difference.

PowerDelivery PDSSUBSTATION If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares.

Pay Range

Pay Range $87,100.00 - $157,450.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

Pay and Benefits

• Competitive compensation
• Health and Wellness programs
• Income Protection
• Paid Leave and Retirement

More details are available here.

Securing Your Data

Leidos will never ask you to provide payment-related information at any part of the employment application process. And Leidos will communicate with you only through emails that are sent from a Leidos.com email address. If you receive an email purporting to be from Leidos that asks for payment-related information or any other personal information, please report the email to [e-mail].

Commitment and Diversity

All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to sex, race, ethnicity, age, national origin, citizenship, religion, physical or mental disability, medical condition, genetic information, pregnancy, family structure, marital status, ancestry, domestic partner status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, veteran or military status, or any other basis prohibited by law. Leidos will also consider for employment qualified applicants with criminal histories consistent with relevant laws.