Substation Project Structural Engineer

HDR; Pittsburgh (Allegheny County); Hybrid; USD 80,000 - 100,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Substation Project Structural Engineer to join their team. The role involves designing high-voltage switchyard and substation structures, conducting foundation analyses, and mentoring junior engineers. Candidates should have a Bachelor’s in Civil or Structural Engineering and at least 5 years of relevant experience. This is a full-time role with opportunities for collaboration and professional growth.

Qualifications

• Minimum 5 years of technical design experience in substation steel and foundation design.
• Professional engineering license (PE or P.Eng) recognized in the location of the position.
• Experience with an architectural, engineering, or consulting firm.

Responsibilities

• Execute detailed design, calculations, and detailing for structural components.
• Design foundations for substation structures using industry-standard software.
• Mentor and train entry-level engineers.

Skills

High-voltage switchyard design

Structural steel design

Foundation analysis

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

PLS-Tower

Mathcad Prime

Job description

At HDR, we create a welcoming and inclusive environment where every employee is valued and respected. We empower our people to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. We believe electricity powers modern life and are committed to shaping how it is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow.

Substation Project Structural Engineer

HDR Engineering seeks a Substation Project Structural Engineer to join our nationally ranked Power Delivery team. The engineer will design structural components of high‑voltage switchyard and substation projects up to 500 kV, including steel structure and foundation analysis & design. You will collaborate with Project Managers and teams across multiple office locations, mentor junior engineers, and help advance our best‑practice standards.

Responsibilities

• Execute detailed design, calculations, and detailing for rolled steel shapes, lattice steel framing, and folded‑plate tubular steel shapes; prepare loading and concept drawings for steel fabricators.
• Design foundations for substation structures using drilled piers, spread footings, driven piles, and other types with industry‑standard software.
• Prepare and review construction specifications and material requirements.
• Assign tasks to EITs and provide technical guidance to non‑structural team members.
• Perform quality checks and reviews of deliverables in accordance with HDR’s Quality Management System.
• Collaborate with engineers to develop and maintain design standards.
• Mentor and train EITs and designers; work independently across multiple projects.
• Participate in project reviews as needed; occasional travel may be required.

Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Experience designing high‑voltage switchyard and substation projects.
• Familiarity with NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI, ASCE‑113, and similar standards.
• Proficiency in PLS‑Tower, Mathcad Prime, AutoCAD, MicroStation, and other design software.
• Minimum 5 years of technical design experience in substation steel and foundation design.
• Knowledge of AISC‑360, ASCE‑7, ACI‑318, and related standards.
• Strong written and verbal communication; problem‑solving and collaborative skills.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Professional engineering license (PE or P.Eng) recognized in the location of the position.
• Prior experience as a structural engineer.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office, AutoCAD, RISA, STAAD, SAP, Tedds, RAM, ETABS, SAFE, or similar.
• Experience with an architectural, engineering, or consulting firm.
• Commitment to HDR’s employee‑owned culture.

Primary Location

United States – North Carolina – Charlotte

Other Locations

United States – 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

Industry & Schedule

Power – Full‑time – Regular employee status – Substation Engineering business class – Job posted: Nov 24, 2025

HDR is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal history, arrest, or conviction records.