Substation Project Engineer

HDR; Rapid City (SD); On-site; USD 85,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR is seeking a Substation Project Engineer in Rapid City, SD. You will lead design efforts for high voltage substations from 12kV through 500kV, coordinating with multiple teams to ensure safe, reliable power delivery.

The role emphasizes mentorship of junior staff and active participation in an employee-owned culture. Required are a Bachelor's in Engineering and a PE license, with preference for a Master's degree and 3+ years in substation project execution at an engineering firm.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering required.
• PE license required.
• Minimum experience in substation project execution.

Responsibilities

• Design substations including yard layouts, grounding, and protection schemes.
• Prepare equipment specifications and procurement documentation.
• Coordinate with Civil/Structural, Networks, and Transmission teams.
• Mentor and supervise junior engineers and designers.
• Support scope, schedule, and budget development; monitor progress.

Skills

Substation design

Protection and control

Project execution

Communication

Education

Bachelor's degree in Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Masters degree in Engineering

Tools

PLS CAD

AutoCAD

Plant 3D

AutoPipe

Revit

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 work to weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the 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.

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.

HDR Engineering is looking for a Substation Project Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals in our Rapid City, South Dakota office.

The primary duties of the Substation Project Engineer include physical substation, protection, and control engineering for High Voltage Electric Utility projects, 12kV through 500kV. Projects range in size, complexity, and voltage class from small distribution equipment upgrades to large transmission substation projects across the globe.

Working under the direction of Project Manager(s), your role will encompass the following:

• Understand physical substation design including yard layouts, plans, sections and details, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, interior and exterior raceways, auxiliary AC/DC power systems, and associated bills of material.
• Understand protection and control design including panel arrangements, one lines/single lines, three lines, AC/DC schematics, equipment wiring and relay panel wiring.
• Prepare calculations for studies and reports (grounding, lighting protection, AC/DC load studies, etc.).
• Prepare equipment specifications for procurement and/or factory acceptance testing.
• Coordinate design activities with other departments (Civil/Structural, Networks, Transmission Line, etc.).
• Effectively communicate and coordinate project activities with manager, clients, and others as needed.
• Ability to work independently.
• Direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise efforts of less-experienced EIT's and/or Designers.
• Support preparing scopes, schedules, and budgets, and ensure that schedules and budgets are met.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Masters degree in Engineering
• A minimum of 3 years experience in project execution within substation design
• Previous experience with an engineering consulting firm

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• Previous experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software. (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture

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.

Primary Location: United States-South Dakota-Sioux Falls Other Locations: United States-North Dakota-Bismarck, United States-North Dakota-Fargo, United States-South Dakota-Rapid City Industry: Power Schedule: Full-time Employee Status: Regular BusinessClass: Substation Engineering Job Posting: Aug 17, 2026

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an Affirmative Action and Equal Opportunity Employer (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer). We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.