Substation Project Structural Engineer

HDR; Durango (CO); On-site; USD 90,682 - 145,990; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time off

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Job summary

A leading engineering firm seeks a Substation Project Structural Engineer to execute structural design tasks for high-voltage substation projects. Candidates should possess a Bachelor’s in Civil or Structural Engineering and at least 5 years of relevant experience. Join a team dedicated to delivering sustainable power solutions while mentoring junior engineers. Competitive salary range is $90,682–$145,990, with comprehensive benefits.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of technical design experience with high-voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects.
• Experience in foundation and steel structural design.
• Previous structural engineer experience is required.

Responsibilities

• Execute structural engineering tasks for various substation structures.
• Perform foundation design tasks using industry-standard software.
• Collaborate with other engineers to maintain design standards.

Skills

Technical design experience

Strong written and verbal communication skills

Conceptual and organizational skills

Problem-solving skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Professional Engineering license

Tools

AutoCAD

RISA

STAAD

Job description

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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 foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world? Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. 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.

Substation Project Structural Engineer

HDR Engineering is looking for a Substation Project Structural Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals. The engineer has broad technical knowledge and experience with the structural design components of high‑voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects up to 500 kV, including steel structure and foundation analysis & design. They work in close coordination with Project Managers and project teams in multiple office locations to execute the structural engineering and design components of substation projects. The engineer may also train, mentor, and guide EITs across the practice and help senior engineers & technical leaders in the development and implementation of best practices to advance our capabilities across this discipline.

Specific Duties

• Execute structural engineering tasks for a variety of substation structural members such as rolled steel shapes, lattice steel framing, and folded plate tubular steel shapes. Duties include detailed design, calculations, and detailing for fabrication or development of loading and concept drawings for submittal to a steel fabricator.
• Execute foundation design tasks for substation structures, including drilled piers, spread footings, driven piles, and potentially other types, using industry‑standard software.
• Prepare and/or review specifications for construction & materials.
• Assign project tasks to EITs and provide technical guidance to non‑structural project team members.
• Coordinate and/or perform quality checks and reviews for project deliverables per the HDR Quality Management System (QMS) requirements, processes, and procedures to deliver a world‑class quality product to the client. Perform quality checks and/or reviews of projects from other teams as needed.
• Collaborate with other engineers to develop and maintain standards.
• Work independently and mentor and train one or more EITs and designers.
• Execute multiple projects concurrently, collaborating with teams in different locations.
• Participate in project reviews as needed.
• Some travel may be required.

Preferred/Desired Qualifications

• Technical design experience with physical/outdoor design of high‑voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects of varying complexity.
• Familiarity with the latest NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI, ASCE‑113 and other industry standards.
• Experience using industry‑standard design software, including PLS‑Tower and Mathcad Prime, AutoCAD or MicroStation.
• Minimum 5 years of technical design experience with high‑voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects, including foundation and steel structural design.
• Working knowledge of the latest AISC‑360, ASCE‑7, ACI‑318, and other industry standards.
• Experience using industry‑standard design software, including STAAD, RISA, MFAD, L‑Pile, or equivalent.
• Self‑starter with strong written and verbal communication skills.
• Strong conceptual, organizational, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering
• Professional Engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (e.g., PE or P.Eng)
• Previous structural engineer experience
• Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RISA, Staad, SAP, Tedds, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture is a must

Benefits & Compensation

HDR provides a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success. Benefits include 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. The targeted salary range for this position (based on experience and location) is $90,682 – $145,990.

Locations

Primary: United States, North Carolina – Charlotte
Other locations include: Texas – Round Rock; Pennsylvania – Bethlehem; Oregon – Salem; Maryland – Baltimore; Montana – Missoula; Texas – Houston; California – Irvine; Wisconsin – Madison; New York – Buffalo; Washington – Tacoma; Nevada – Reno; Colorado – Fort Collins; California – Folsom; Oregon – Portland; Montana – Bozeman; Colorado – Durango; Washington – Seattle; Nevada – Las Vegas; Montana – Billings; Texas – Dallas; Montana – Helena; Washington – Spokane; Virginia – Arlington; Washington – Pasco; Texas – Austin; California – Claremont; Massachusetts – Boston; Colorado – Denver; Oregon – Bend; Missouri – St. Louis; Arizona – Tucson; Arkansas – Little Rock; Pennsylvania – Mechanicsburg; Washington – Olympia; Washington – Vancouver; Colorado – Colorado Springs; Wisconsin – Milwaukee; Hawaii – Honolulu; Maryland – Fulton; Arizona – Phoenix; Kentucky – Louisville; Georgia – Atlanta; South Carolina – Greenville; Illinois – Rosemont; California – Walnut Creek; Tennessee – Memphis; Montana – Kalispell; Virginia – Richmond; Washington – Gig Harbor; Rhode Island – Providence; Ohio – Cleveland; Florida – Tampa; Florida – West Palm Beach; Ohio – Columbus; Tennessee – Chattanooga; Kentucky – Lexington; Kansas – Olathe; Georgia – Pooler; Washington – Bellevue; Missouri – Kansas City; North Carolina – Wilmington; Tennessee – Nashville; California – San Jose; New Jersey – Newark; Florida – Pensacola; New Mexico – Albuquerque; New York – White Plains; Minnesota – St. Paul; California – San Francisco; South Carolina – Charleston; Virginia – Roanoke; South Carolina – Columbia; Virginia – Vienna; Florida – Orlando; Alaska – Anchorage; Minnesota – Minneapolis; Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh; New York – Syracuse; California – San Diego; Virginia – Norfolk; Pennsylvania – Philadelphia; Virginia – Glen Allen; California – Riverside; Nebraska – Lincoln; Montana – Butte; Florida – Miami; Nebraska – Omaha; New Jersey – Pennington; California – Sacramento; Connecticut – Rocky Hill; New York – New York; Michigan – Ann Arbor; Utah – Salt Lake City; North Carolina – Winston‑Salem; Virginia – Alexandria; Michigan – Detroit; North Dakota – Bismarck; Maine – Portland; California – Oakland; North Dakota – Fargo; New Hampshire – Manchester; New Jersey – Woodcliff Lake; Florida – Jacksonville; Illinois – Chicago; California – Los Angeles; Idaho – Boise; North Carolina – Raleigh; Texas – San Antonio; West Virginia – Charleston; Connecticut – Hartford.

Job Details

Industry: Power
Schedule: Full‑time
Employee Status: Regular
Business Class: Substation Engineering
Job Posting: Nov 24, 2025

Commitment to Inclusion

At HDR, we are committed to the principles of employment equity. We are an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.
‘What we believe’ and ‘our commitment’ statements have been retained in the original content and remain part of this description.