Substation Project Engineer (Northwest Region)

HDR; Kalispell (MT); On-site; USD 80,000 - 125,000; Full time

Job summary

HDR Engineering is currently seeking a Substation Project Engineer to join our growing Power Delivery team. You will contribute to substations design, manage scopes, schedules, and budgets, and coordinate with Civil/Structural, Networks, and Transmission groups across multiple project sites.

Responsibilities include developing one-line diagrams, grounding, protection and control systems, and equipment specifications, while mentoring EITs and Designers.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering and PE license required.
• Minimum 4 years of substation design experience with relevant drawings.
• Proficiency in AutoCAD, PLS CAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe and Revit.
• Willingness to travel.

Responsibilities

• Prepare scopes, schedules, and budgets and ensure adherence.
• Understand substation design including grounding, protection, and control systems.
• Prepare calculations for grounding, lighting protection, load studies.
• Coordinate design activities with Civil/Structural, Networks, Transmission.
• Mentor junior EITs and Designers as needed.

Skills

Substation design

Project coordination

Microsoft Office

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

PE license

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.

HDR Engineering is currently seeking a Substation Project Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals.

Opportunities are available in these preferred locations: Anchorage, Boise, Billings, Missoula, Portland Seattle, Spokane.

Primary Responsibilities

• Support preparing scopes, schedules, and budgets, and ensure that schedules and budgets are met
• Understands 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
• Understands 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
• Works independently and may direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise efforts of less-experienced EIT's and/or Designers.

Preferred Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering
• Minimum 4 years of experience in substation design.
• Specific experience performing aspects associated with substation design, including: One Line Diagrams, General Arrangements, Sections, Grounding, Conduit Plans, Foundation Plans, Material Lists, Relay and Control Systems, Control Schematics, and Wiring Diagrams.
• Strong computer skills Microsoft Office and electrical design software.
• Some travel may be required.
• Experience with substation design for 12kV thru 500kV desired, experience thru 765kV an added benefit.
• Previous experience with an architectural/ engineering or engineering consulting firm desired.

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.

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.) {Montana}: $80,000 - $125,000 {Spokane, WA}: $80,000 - $125,000 {Seattle/Bellevue/Everett, WA}: $97,440 - $145,000 {Olympia, WA}: $82,000 - $130,000 {Gig Harbor, WA}: $90,000 - $138,000 {Vancouver, WA}: $85,000 - $135,000

Primary Location: United States-Idaho-Boise

Other Locations: United States-Washington-Tacoma, United States-Washington-Everett, United States-Idaho-Coeur d'Alene, United States-Washington-Bellevue, United States-Montana-Butte, United States-Oregon-Bend, United States-Montana-Kalispell, United States-Oregon-Portland, United States-Montana-Bozeman, United States-Washington-Gig Harbor, United States-Oregon-Salem, United States-Alaska-Anchorage, United States-Oregon-Ashland, United States-Washington-Seattle, United States-Montana-Missoula, United States-Montana-Billings, United States-Montana-Helena, United States-Washington-Spokane, United States-Washington-Olympia, United States-Washington-Vancouver

Industry: Power

Schedule: Full-time

Employee Status: Regular

BusinessClass: Substation Engineering

Job Posting: Jul 23, 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.