Substation Senior Structural Engineer – HDR
HDR is a leading engineering consulting firm dedicated to building the future of power delivery. We are looking for a Substation Senior Structural Engineer (Substation Sr. SE) to join our growing, nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals.
Overview
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. This isn’t just a job; it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
Specific Duties
- Lead, oversee, review, and/or 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. Engineering duties include detailed design, calculations, and detailing for fabrication or submittal to a steel fabricator.
- Lead, oversee, review, and/or execute foundation design tasks for substation structures, including drilled piers, spread footings, driven piles, and potentially other types, 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 & materials.
- Assign project tasks and provide technical guidance to project team members.
- Coordinate and/or perform quality checks and reviews for project deliverables per the HDR Quality Management Systems (QMS) requirements to deliver a world‑class quality product to the client.
- Collaborate with transmission line civil/structural engineers to cross‑train and share resources.
- Collaborate with other engineers to develop and maintain standards.
- Work independently and directly, mentor, train, and/or supervise one or more Project Engineers, EITs, or CADD/Designers.
- Lead multiple projects concurrently, utilizing teams in different locations.
- Work with senior engineers and technical leaders to identify and develop specific technical expertise, attending training and seminars focused on complex disciplines.
- May assist with developing technical papers and/or presentations showcasing HDR’s technical capabilities at industry conferences or other events.
- Participate in project reviews as needed.
- Travel may be required.
Preferred / Desired Qualifications
- Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
- SE license or ability to obtain; preferred SE licenses in Hawaii and California.
- Technical design experience with physical/outdoor high‑voltage substation projects up to 500 kV.
- 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.
- Previous consulting firm experience.
- Minimum 10 years of technical design experience with high‑voltage 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 STAAD, RISA, MFAD, L‑Pile or equivalent design software.
- Track record of working cooperatively with diverse teams, regional, departmental, and technical managers.
- 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.
- A minimum of 10 years structural engineering experience as it relates to building design.
- Professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position offered (e.g., Professional Engineer PE or P.Eng).
- Microsoft Office, 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 architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm.
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant in our employee‑owned culture is a must.
Benefits
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success, including 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 on skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full‑time regular positions. Temporary and part‑time roles eligible for limited benefits.) The targeted salary range for this position (based on experience and location) is $132,107 - $204,500.
Primary Location
United States – North Carolina – Charlotte
Other Locations
- United States – Texas – Round Rock
- United States – Pennsylvania – Bethlehem
- United States – Oregon – Salem
- United States – Maryland – Baltimore
- United States – Montana – Missoula
- United States – Texas – Houston
- United States – California – Irvine
- United States – Wisconsin – Madison
- United States – New York – Buffalo
- United States – Washington – Tacoma
- United States – Nevada – Reno
- United States – Colorado – Fort Collins
- United States – California – Folsom
- United States – Oregon – Portland
- United States – Montana – Bozeman
- United States – Colorado – Durango
- United States – Washington – Seattle
- United States – Nevada – Las Vegas
- United States – Montana – Billings
- United States – Texas – Dallas
- United States – Montana – Helena
- United States – Washington – Spokane
- United States – Virginia – Arlington
- United States – Washington – Pasco
- United States – Texas – Austin
- United States – California – Claremont
- United States – Massachusetts – Boston
- United States – Colorado – Denver
- United States – Oregon – Bend
- United States – Missouri – St Louis
- United States – Arizona – Tucson
- United States – Arkansas – Little Rock
- United States – Pennsylvania – Mechanicsburg
- United States – Washington – Olympia
- United States – Washington – Vancouver
- United States – Colorado – Colorado Springs
- United States – Wisconsin – Milwaukee
- United States – Hawaii – Honolulu
- United States – Maryland – Fulton
- United States – Arizona – Phoenix
- United States – Kentucky – Louisville
- United States – Georgia – Atlanta
- United States – South Carolina – Greenville
- United States – Illinois – Rosemont
- United States – California – Walnut Creek
- United States – Tennessee – Memphis
- United States – Montana – Kalispell
- United States – Virginia – Richmond
- United States – Washington – Gig Harbor
- United States – Rhode Island – Providence
- United States – Ohio – Cleveland
- United States – Florida – Tampa
- United States – Florida – West Palm Beach
- United States – Ohio – Columbus
- United States – Tennessee – Chattanooga
- United States – Kentucky – Lexington
- United States – Kansas – Olathe
- United States – Georgia – Pooler
- United States – Washington – Bellevue
- United States – Missouri – Kansas City
- United States – North Carolina – Wilmington
- United States – Tennessee – Nashville
- United States – California – San Jose
- United States – New Jersey – Newark
- United States – Florida – Pensacola
- United States – New Mexico – Albuquerque
- United States – New York – White Plains
- United States – Minnesota – St Paul
- United States – California – San Francisco
- United States – South Carolina – Charleston
- United States – Virginia – Roanoke
- United States – South Carolina – Columbia
- United States – Virginia – Vienna
- United States – Florida – Orlando
- United States – Alaska – Anchorage
- United States – Minnesota – Minneapolis
- United States – Pennsylvania – Pittsburgh
- United States – New York – Syracuse
- United States – California – San Diego
- United States – Virginia – Norfolk
- United States – Pennsylvania – Philadelphia
- United States – Virginia – Glen Allen
- United States – California – Riverside
- United States – Nebraska – Lincoln
- United States – Montana – Butte
- United States – Florida – Miami
- United States – Nebraska – Omaha
- United States – New Jersey – Pennington
- United States – California – Sacramento
- United States – Connecticut – Rocky Hill
- United States – New York – New York
- United States – Michigan – Ann Arbor
- United States – Utah – Salt Lake City
- United States – North Carolina – Winston‑Salem
- United States – Virginia – Alexandria
- United States – Michigan – Detroit
- United States – North Dakota – Bismarck
- United States – Maine – Portland
- United States – California – Oakland
- United States – North Dakota – Fargo
- United States – New Hampshire – Manchester
- United States – New Jersey – Woodcliff Lake
- United States – Florida – Jacksonville
- United States – Illinois – Chicago
- United States – California – Los Angeles
- United States – Idaho – Boise
- United States – North Carolina – Raleigh
- United States – Texas – San Antonio
- United States – West Virginia – Charleston
- United States – Connecticut – Hartford
Seniority Level
Mid‑Senior level
Employment Type
Full‑time
Job Function
Management, Consulting, and Engineering
Industry
Power
Business Class
Substation Engineering
Job Posting Date
Nov 24, 2025
Equal Opportunity Statement
HDR is an affirmative‑action and equal‑opportunity employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest, and conviction records. (https://www.hdrinc.com/equal-employment-opportunity-employer)