Substation Physical Engineer

ICF; Chicago (IL); Remote; USD 99,000 - 168,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Fully remote

Flexible schedule

Tuition reimbursement

401k matching

Employee Stock Purchase Plan

Volunteer opportunities

Donation matching

Job summary

ICF is seeking a Substation Physical Engineer to design distribution substations from 12kV to 69kV, with potential other voltage work. This is a fully remote US role requiring independent, proactive work from home and collaboration with a team.

You will lead on-line and three-line drawings, grounding plans, lighting, and controls layout while coordinating with multiple disciplines. PE is preferred; 5+ years’ experience is expected.

Qualifications

• BS in Engineering, preferably electrical with Power Focus.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain within 6 months.
• 5+ years of substation physical design experience for electric utilities.
• Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation or similar design tools.

Responsibilities

• Lead and oversee substation physical design drawings (One/Three Line, station arrangements, electrical details).
• Develop grounding, illumination, conduit, and control cubicle layouts; plan lighting and grounding details.
• Coordinate with protection, civil, drafting teams; support client meetings and project planning.
• Review vendor data, apply client standards, and ensure QA/QC on all packages.
• Mentor junior engineers and participate in site visits and constructability reviews.

Skills

Leadership

Mentoring

Project coordination

Communication

Self-motivation

Education

Electrical Engineering (Power)

Tools

AutoCAD

MicroStation

Bluebeam

Autodesk Inventor

CDEGS

Agi32

Microsoft Word

Microsoft Excel

Job description

Title: Substation Physical Engineer - REMOTE

Location: Remote US

Ready to make a difference?

ICF is seeking a Substation Physical Engineer, to work primarily on the design of projects on distribution substations at voltages from 12kV to 69kV with the goal of providing excellent quality work for our clients. While the core responsibilities will center on distribution‑level projects, involvement in transmission substation projects or voltages above 69kV can also be expected.

Why You Will Love Working Here

• Quality of life: Fully remote, flexible schedule, work‑life balance
• Investment in the community: Donation matching, volunteer opportunities
• Investment in you: Tuition reimbursement, access to professional development resources, 401k matching, Employee Stock Purchase Plan
• And many, many more (Ask your recruiter for more details!)

The Ideal Candidate

You are a highly motivated engineer who takes pride in the services you provide. You ensure the project is done right and all deadlines are met. You should be proactive, self‑sufficient, and able to productively work out of your home without supervision. You always strive to expand your knowledge and improve work processes to increase quality and efficiency. You are an active member of the team that works well with others and prioritizes the goals of the group. You enjoy taking on new responsibilities and learning new skill sets whenever needed.

What You Will Be Doing

• Responsibilities include, but are not limited, leading and overseeing the design and preparation of substation physical design drawings and including:
  • Substation One Line and Three Line
  • Station General Arrangements & Sections
  • Electrical Details
  • Grounding Plan & Details
  • Conduit Plan & Details
  • Control Cubicle Layout, Sections, Cable Tray, Lighting, and Grounding
  • Low-Voltage AC Panels
  • Grounding Plan & Details
  • Lightning Protection
  • Illumination Plan & Details
• Leading the design and preparation of engineering studies such as:
  • AC Load
  • Illumination
  • Grounding
  • Lightning Shielding
• Development of Bill of Materials based on Design Criteria
• Coordination with protection & controls, civil / structural, and drafting disciplines to ensure quality deliverables
• Support client meetings, technical discussions, and project planning efforts
• Participate in site visits and constructability reviews
• Interpreting and incorporating vendor information into design deliverables
• Apply client standards related to the work
• Perform/ensure company’s Quality assurance/Quality Control (QA/QC) processes are being followed on all design packages
• Ensure compliance with industry codes (e.g., IEEE, NESC, NEC) and utility standards
• Continuous improvement of job‑related engineering, technical and professional knowledge, skills, and performance
• Mentor and guide junior engineers and designers

What We Need You To Have (minimum Qualifications)

• BS in Engineering, preferably electrical with Power Focus
• 5+ years of experience in substation physical design for electric utilities

What We Would Like You To Have

• 5+ years of experience working with Bluebeam, AutoCAD, and MicroStation
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
• Strong initiative and leadership qualities to support career advancement
• Advanced user of Microsoft products, specifically Word and Excel
• Professional Engineer (PE) license or ability to obtain within 6 months
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar design tool
• Familiarity with substation design standards and practices (IEEE, NESC, utility specs)
• Ability to manage multiple projects and mentor junior staff
• Experience leading substation projects modelled in 3D using Autodesk Inventor
• Familiarity with substation grounding studies and CDEGS
• Familiarity with Agi32 illumination software

To learn more about this team and how our grid engineering solutions help electric utilities balance cutting‑edge technology with cost‑efficiency and reliability> ICF Power Delivery Services

Working at ICF

ICF is a global advisory and technology services provider, but we’re not your typical consultants. We combine unmatched expertise with cutting‑edge technology to help clients solve their most complex challenges, navigate change, and shape the future.

We can only solve the world’s toughest challenges by building a workplace that allows everyone to thrive. We are an equal opportunity employer. Together, our employees are empowered to share their expertise and collaborate with others to achieve personal and professional goals. For more information, please read ourEEO policy.

We will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Reasonable Accommodations are available, including, but not limited to, for disabled veterans, individuals with disabilities, and individuals with sincerely held religious beliefs, in all phases of the application and employment process. To request an accommodation, please [e-mail] we will be happy to assist. All information you provide will be kept confidential and will be used only to the extent required to provide needed reasonable accommodations.

Read more aboutworkplacediscriminationrights or our benefit offerings which are included in theTransparency in (Benefits) Coverage Act.

Candidate AI Usage Policy

At ICF, we are committed to ensuring a fair interview process for all candidates based on their own skills and knowledge. As part of this commitment, the use of artificial intelligence (AI) tools to generate or assist with responses during interviews (whether in‑person or virtual) is not permitted. This policy is in place to maintain the integrity and authenticity of the interview process.

However, we understand that some candidates may require accommodation that involves the use of AI. If such an accommodation is needed, candidates are instructed to contact us in advance [e-mail]. We are dedicated to providing the necessary support to ensure that all candidates have an equal opportunity to succeed.

Pay Range

The pay range for this position based on full‑time employment is:

$98,614.00 - $167,644.00

Nationwide Remote Office (US99)