Substation Senior Structural Engineer

HDR; Arlington (VA); Remote; USD 132,107 - 204,500; Full time

Job summary

A leading engineering consulting firm is seeking a Substation Senior Structural Engineer to lead and execute structural engineering tasks for substation projects. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, with a Master's preferred, and at least 10 years of experience in high-voltage projects. Strong abilities in structural design, analysis, and collaborative communication are essential. The targeted salary range is between $132,107 and $204,500 based on skills and experience.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering required.
• Master’s degree and SE license preferred.
• Minimum 10 years of experience in structural engineering for high-voltage projects.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural engineering tasks for substation members.
• Design foundations for substation structures.
• Prepare specifications for construction materials.

Skills

High-voltage design experience

Structural analysis and design

Collaboration skills

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master’s degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

STAAD

RISA

Job description

Join to apply for the Substation Senior Structural Engineer role at HDR. HDR is a nationally ranked engineering consulting firm that empowers employee‑owners to create a welcoming environment where everyone is valued and respected.

Responsibilities

• Lead, oversee, review, and/or execute structural engineering tasks for substation structural members such as rolled steel shapes, lattice steel framing, and folded plate tubular steel shapes, including detailed design, calculations, and detailing for fabrication.
• Lead, oversee, review, and/or execute foundation design tasks for substation structures, including drilled piers, spread footings, driven piles, and related designs using industry‑standard software.
• Support physical substation layout designs, plans, elevations/sections, details, and associated bills of materials.
• Prepare and/or review specifications for construction and materials.
• Assign project tasks and provide technical guidance to project team members.
• Coordinate and/or perform quality checks and reviews for project deliverables per HDR Quality Management Systems (QMS) requirements.
• Collaborate with transmission line civil/structural engineers and other disciplines to develop and maintain design standards.
• Work independently and, where appropriate, mentor and supervise Project Engineers, EITs, or CADD/Designers.
• Lead multiple projects concurrently across different locations.
• Attend training and seminars to enhance technical expertise and develop technical papers and presentations for industry events.
• Participate in project reviews as needed; some travel may be required.

Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
• SE license or ability to obtain; SE license in Hawaii and California is a plus.
• Experience designing high‑voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects up to 500 kV.
• Familiarity with NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI, ASCE‑113 and other standards.
• Experience with PLS‑Tower, Mathcad Prime, STAAD, RISA, MFAD, L‑Pile or equivalents.
• Previous consulting firm experience.
• Minimum 10 years of technical design experience for high‑voltage projects, including foundation and steel structural design.
• Knowledge of AISC‑360, ASCE‑7, ACI‑318, and related codes.
• Track record of working cooperatively with diverse regional, departmental, and technical teams.
• Strong written and verbal communication, conceptual, organizational, problem‑solving, and collaboration skills.
• Self‑starter capable of working independently and as part of a team.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of structural engineering experience related to building design.
• Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the position’s location.
• Microsoft Office and AutoCAD, RAM, ETABS, SAFE or similar analytical software.
• Experience in design calculations and layouts; ability to design and detail in steel, concrete, masonry, and wood.
• Understanding of gravity analysis and lateral analysis.
• Previous experience with an architecture/engineering or consulting firm.
• Commitment to being an active participant of HDR’s employee‑owned culture.

Primary Location

United States – North Carolina – Charlotte

Compensation Range

The targeted salary range for this position is $132,107 – $204,500 depending on skills, experience, education, and geographic location.

HDR is committed to the principles of employment equity. HDR is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest, and conviction records.