Substation Project Manager

ISG; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); On-site; USD 105,000 - 135,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical benefits

Paid time off

401K retirement plan

ESOP

Job summary

ISG is seeking a Substation Project Manager in Philadelphia to lead complex substation programs from concept through commissioning. You will manage scope, schedule, and budget while coordinating electrical, civil, and structural teams to deliver reliable infrastructure.

The role emphasizes client relations, technical leadership, QA/QC, and adherence to NEC/NESC standards. Partnership with FirstEnergy projects and company-wide collaboration are core features.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• PE license preferred or ability to obtain.
• 15+ years in substation engineering or related field preferred.
• Strong project management and client-facing skills.

Responsibilities

• Lead high complexity substation projects from concept to commissioning.
• Own scope, schedule, budget, and risk management across phases.
• Serve as primary client contact and coordinate multidisciplinary teams.
• Ensure QA/QC and compliance with NEC/NESC standards.
• Mentor junior staff and contribute to proposals and business development.

Skills

Project management

Leadership

Client relationships

Communication

Team collaboration

Mentoring

Time management

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

Tools

CAD software

MS Office

Engineering design tools

Job description

Compensation: $105,000 - $135,000 / year

Department: Power

Location: Philadelphia, PA

Founded in 1973, ISG is a multi-disciplinary, employee-owned firm providing architecture, engineering, environmental, and planning services to communities across the nation. Guided by our mission: simplify solutions and passionately design the future; we partner with clients to turn complex challenges into meaningful, lasting impact.

ISG employee owners are motivated by a shared goal to stretch the limits of great design and go above and beyond to positively influence each other, our clients, and the communities we serve. If you are passionate about leading complex substation projects, collaborating across multidisciplinary teams, and delivering reliable, forward‑thinking infrastructure solutions, we invite you to explore a career with ISG’s Substation team.

We are seeking a driven and detail-oriented Substation Project Manager to lead complex substation projects that power communities and support critical infrastructure across the nation. In this role, you will guide high‑impact, multi‑phase projects from concept through commissioning; bringing together multidisciplinary teams, managing scope, schedule, and budget, and serving as a trusted partner to clients. Your leadership, technical expertise, and ability to translate complex challenges into practical solutions will directly influence project success, client satisfaction, and the long‑term reliability of essential systems.

This position will work on projects directly associated with FirstEnergy, one of ISG’s trusted and longstanding client partners.

Regardless of where this position is posted, we encourage all qualified candidates from any ISG geography to apply. We operate as a one‑profit‑center firm and we work as one team across all offices, sharing resources, expertise, and opportunities to best serve our clients and support our employee owners.

Essential Duties

• Leads execution of high complexity substation projects, including greenfield substations, system expansions, large‑scale equipment upgrades, and automation system overhauls
• Take ownership of the full project lifecycle, including scope development, cost estimating, budgeting, scheduling, engineering oversight, quality assurance, and risk management
• Serve as the primary point of contact for clients, fostering strong relationships while translating project goals into clear, actionable execution plans
• Direct and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams, collaborating with electrical, civil, and structural engineers to ensure seamless project delivery
• Contribute strategic insight into proposals, fee development, resource allocation, and broader business development initiatives
• Ensure high‑quality outcomes by implementing QA/QC processes and conducting technical reviews of designs, calculations, and deliverables
• Oversee or support the development of advanced protection & control and physical substation designs, including one‑line diagrams, relay schemes, and layout plans
• Support field engineering, commissioning, and troubleshooting efforts during construction and system energization
• Collaborates with peers to enhance engineering standards, tools, and processes
• Mentor and develop junior staff and project team members, serving as a technical resource and subject matter expert when needed
• Represent the organization in industry events, technical committees, and client‑facing strategy discussions
• Ensure all work aligns with applicable codes, standards (NEC, NESC), safety protocols, and client‑specific requirements
• Promote innovation and continuous improvement within the substation team

Skills, Knowledge and Expertise

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline required
• 12+ years of experience in substation engineering, design, or consulting environments required
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred (state‑specific licensure or ability to obtain)
• Valid driver’s license required, with the ability to travel as needed
• Proficiency with engineering design tools and a strong understanding of CAD systems
• Strong computer skills, including experience with Microsoft Office applications (Word, Excel, Outlook)
• Working knowledge of applicable industry codes and standards, including NEC and NESC
• Commitment to staying current with industry trends, technologies, and best practices through ongoing professional development
• Proven ability to build and maintain strong working relationships with team members, clients, and external partners
• Excellent verbal and written communication skills, with the ability to collaborate effectively across teams and stakeholders
• Strong organizational and time management skills, with the ability to manage multiple priorities
• Team‑oriented mindset with the ability to contribute positively to group dynamics and culture
• Demonstrates integrity, accountability, sound judgment, and the ability to work independently

ISG Employee Owner Benefits

• Medical, dental, and vision
• Paid time off, pro‑rated amount available on your start date
• Paid holidays and paid volunteer time
• Paid parental leave
• Bi‑annual profit sharing
• Employee Ownership Stock Plan (ESOP)
• 401K retirement plan
• Life insurance
• HSA and FSA options
• Bereavement leave
• Supplemental voluntary benefits
• Short term and long‑term disability
• Parking reimbursement, varies on office location