Substation Principal Engineer - Remote

WSP in the U.S.; Lake Oswego (OR); Hybrid; USD 120,000 - 150,000; Full time

Job summary

WSP in the U.S. is seeking a Technical Director specializing in Electrical Engineering with Power Transformer expertise for the Lake Oswego, OR office or remote location. This role involves providing leadership and ensuring quality deliverables in transformer engineering.

The ideal candidate will have over 12 years of experience in power delivery infrastructure and be a Subject Matter Expert in transformer design. Excellent communication and leadership skills are essential, along with a Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.

Qualifications

• 12+ years relevant experience in power delivery and infrastructure design.
• Experience with IEEE/ANSI transformer standards.
• Strong command of the English language with good communication skills.

Responsibilities

• Provide proactive leadership for power transformers and engineering disciplines.
• Serve as the primary liaison between project teams and clients.
• Mentor and guide other engineers.

Skills

Power transformer design

Electrical engineering principles

Leadership and interpersonal skills

Critical thinking and problem-solving

Education

Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering

Master’s degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

Microsoft Office

Predictive models

Job description

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Technical Director, Electrical Engineering with Power Transformer expertise for our Lake Oswego, OR office or remote location.

Be involved in projects with our Transformer Services Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.

This Opportunity

Provides leadership within a sector of the organization to ensure transformer engineering subject matter technical deliverables, infrastructure projects, and other programs include a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry and company standards for design, safety, and functionality. This position is responsible for SME innovation and administration, ensuring corporate compliance with all Local, State, and Federal engineering, construction, and safety regulations, and providing pragmatic directions to address current and future challenges in a rapidly changing and complex business climate.

Your Impact

• Provide proactive and strategic leadership for power transformers and engineering disciplines/functions, offering direction, expertise, and support.
• Provide technical leadership in business development.
• Develop technical/functional specifications for power transformers and associated power transformer accessories.
• Provide support and technical advice on OEM power transformer designs.
• Serve as the primary liaison between the project team, OEMs, and client.
• Coordinate with client project teams and internal team disciplines.
• As a SME lead on power transformer design, provide guidance to other teams during engineering phase, including cross‑functional teams.
• Provide power transformer related engineering design input to major electrical power infrastructural development projects through various lifecycle stages.
• As Subject Matter Expert, review OEM submittals, test plans, commissioning plans, and test reports.
• As Subject Matter Expert lead, direct others, and observe factory acceptance testing, Core/Coils, Pre‑tanking.
• As Subject Matter Expert lead, direct others, and provide technical support during oil filling and commissioning.
• Mentor and provide guidance to other engineers.
• Serve as a Subject Matter Expert (SME) in the company’s Knowledge Management Program for power transformers.
• Organize and oversee the implementation of WSP’s quality process and management system.
• Develop and lead internal/external technical training at corporate events.
• Regularly prepare and present white papers and technical content marketing pieces.
• Actively engage in leadership positions within nationally recognized technical societies.
• Remain current in latest power transformer engineering techniques and practices.
• Collaborate with professionals from a variety of disciplines to provide “trusted advisor” service and future ready solutions for clients.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision‑making regarding company funds, resources, and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 12+ years of relevant post‑bachelor education experience in electric power delivery and infrastructure design for capital projects in power generation, transmission, substation, or distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale.
• A minimum of 10 years of demonstrated experience in power transformer design, acquisition, purchasing, sourcing, maintenance, or operations at 15kV through at least 500kV AC.
• Demonstrated experience with the IEEE/ANSI transformer standards.
• Extensive knowledge base and skill set in the application requirements of power transformers for electric utilities, renewable generation developers, BESS sites, and data centers.
• Strong experience in managing the review and approval of documents and discipline‑specific deliverables, certifications, processes, and plans in a multi‑project environment.
• Demonstrated experience in power transformer observations for core/coils, pre‑tanking, and FAT.
• Advanced proficiency with electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, various project delivery methods, standard of care, and the application to permitting and project work‑related issues.
• The successful individual shall be self‑directed and highly motivated.
• The ability to work independently and provide guidance and leadership to mid‑level through senior level teams or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Excellent leadership and interpersonal communication skills required to effectively, persuasively, and tactfully interact with clients, regulators, project managers, and employees at all levels of the organization.
• The candidate must have strong command of the English language with good written and oral communication skills to ensure effective communications with internal team members and external client personnel.
• Proficient with technical writing, Microsoft Office, technology, math principles, predictive models, and tools.
• Well‑developed critical thinking and problem‑solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• Tactical lateral thinking and strong analytical skills with attention to detail and the ability to prioritize responsibilities in a pressure work environment.
• Ability to elicit cooperation from a wide variety of sources, including senior management, clients, regulators, manufacturers, and company‑wide staff, including those with whom no formal hierarchical relationship exists.
• Proven history of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety, drug/alcohol, and harassment policies.
• Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment.
• Occasional travel required depending on project‑specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications

• Master’s degree (MS in Electrical Engineering strongly preferred).
• Professional Engineering license (PE) preferred, but consideration is possible for candidates with equivalent combination of education and experience with the ability to obtain a PE license, within 12 months of hire.
• Experience with oil filled shunt reactors, DC converter transformers, solid state transformers, and/or 765 kV transformers is a plus.
• Knowledge of IEC and CSA transformer standards is a plus.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement

WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status. The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.