Substation Senior Structural Engineer

HDR; Philadelphia (Philadelphia County); Hybrid; USD 132,107 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Medical insurance

Dental insurance

Parental leave

Paid time off

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is seeking a Substation Senior Structural Engineer to oversee and execute structural engineering tasks for substation projects. Candidates should have a Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering and at least 10 years of experience in structural design, especially with high voltage electrical projects. The role involves mentoring junior engineers, conducting quality checks, and collaborating across teams. This full-time position offers a competitive salary range and a comprehensive benefits package.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of structural engineering experience.
• Professional engineering license recognized in the location of the position.
• Experience with high voltage electrical design.

Responsibilities

• Lead and execute structural engineering tasks for substation projects.
• Prepare and review specifications for construction and materials.
• Coordinate quality checks for project deliverables.

Skills

Structural design

Project management

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master’s degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

RAM

ETABS

Job description

Join to apply for the Substation Senior Structural Engineer role at HDR

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?

Watch Our Story: https://www.hdrinc.com/our-story

Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

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.

The Substation Senior Structural Engineer will lead, oversee, review, and/or execute the structural engineering and design components of substation projects and may also train, mentor, and guide junior engineers.

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 development of loading and concept drawings for 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 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, processes, and procedures.
• 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 direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise one or more Project Engineers, EITs, or CADD/Designers.
• Ability to lead multiple projects concurrently, utilizing teams in different locations.
• Work with senior engineers and technical leaders to identify and develop specific technical expertise and attend training and seminars.
• May also assist with developing technical papers and/or presentations at industry conferences or other 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 preferred. SE license in Hawaii and California is a plus.
• Technical design experience with physical/outdoor design of high voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects of varying complexity up to 500kV.
• 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 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.
• Track record of working cooperatively with diverse teams, regional, department, and technical managers and project staff.
• 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 license).
• 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 of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

What We Believe:

HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other’s life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust, and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.

Our Commitment:

As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. We provide 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 targeted salary range for this position (based on experience and location) is $132,107 – $204,500.

Seniority level:

Mid‑Senior level

Employment type:

Full‑time

Job function:

Management, Consulting, and Engineering

Industry:

Power

Schedule:

Full‑time

Employee Status:

Regular

Business Class:

Substation Engineering

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
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• 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
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• United States – Hawaii – Honolulu
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• United States – Arizona – Phoenix
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• 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
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• United States – Florida – Tampa
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• United States – Georgia – Pooler
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• United States – Missouri – Kansas City
• United States – North Carolina – Wilmington
• United States – Tennessee – Nashville
• United States – California – San Jose
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• 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
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• United States – South Carolina – Columbia
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• United States – Minnesota – Minneapolis
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• United States – New York – Syracuse
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• 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
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• United States – Idaho – Boise
• United States – North Carolina – Raleigh
• United States – Texas – San Antonio
• United States – West Virginia – Charleston
• United States – Connecticut – Hartford

Job Posting:

Nov 24, 2025

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.