Substation Senior Structural Engineer

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

Benefits offered by this job

Medical, dental, vision insurance

Paid time off

Tuition reimbursement

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Job summary

A leading engineering firm is looking for a Substation Senior Structural Engineer to lead structural engineering efforts for high-voltage substation projects. The ideal candidate will have a Bachelor's in Civil or Structural Engineering and over 10 years of related experience. Responsibilities include overseeing design and engineering tasks and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. This role offers a competitive salary range of $132,107 - $204,500, along with a comprehensive benefits package in a diverse, employee-owned culture.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of structural engineering experience related to building design.
• Valid professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board.
• Ability to design and detail in steel, concrete, masonry, and wood.

Responsibilities

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

Skills

Structural engineering experience

Proficiency with Microsoft Office

Experience in design calculations

Knowledge of building design standards

Strong communication skills

Education

Bachelor's degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

ETABS

RISA

Job description

At HDR, our employee‑owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, empowering everyone to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow.

Substation Senior Structural Engineer

HDR Engineering is looking for a highly skilled Substation Senior Structural Engineer (Substation Sr. SE) to join our nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals. The role involves leading, overseeing, reviewing, and executing the structural engineering and design components of high‑voltage substation projects up to 500 kV, including steel structure and foundation analysis & design.

Responsibilities

• 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, 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 other types using industry standard software.
• Support physical substation layout designs, plans, elevations/sections, details, and associated bills of materials.
• Prepare and review specifications for construction & materials.
• Assign project tasks and provide technical guidance to team members.
• Coordinate and perform quality checks and reviews for project deliverables per HDR Quality Management Systems (QMS) requirements.
• Collaborate with civil/structural engineers and other specialists to cross‑train, share resources, develop and maintain standards.
• Work independently and mentor, train, and/or supervise one or more Project Engineers, EITs, or CADD/Designers.
• Lead multiple projects concurrently, utilizing distributed teams.
• Participate in technical training and seminars to deepen expertise in complex concepts.
• Assist with developing technical papers and presentations that showcase HDR’s capabilities at industry conferences or events.
• May require some travel.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years structural engineering experience related to building design.
• Valid professional engineering license recognized by the licensing board for the location of the position (e.g., PE, P.Eng).
• Proficiency with 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 and lateral analysis.
• Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or consulting firm.
• Active participant in an employee‑owned culture.

Preferred / Desired Qualifications

• Master’s degree in Structural Engineering.
• SE license or ability to obtain one; a license in Hawaii or California is a plus.
• Technical design experience with high‑voltage electrical switchyard and substation projects up to 500 kV.
• Familiarity with NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI, ASCE‑113 and other industry standards.
• Experience using design software such as PLS‑Tower, Mathcad Prime, STAAD, RISA, MFAD, L‑Pile, or equivalents.
• Previous consulting firm experience.
• Working knowledge of AISC‑360, ASCE‑7, ACI‑318, and related standards.
• Track record of collaborative work with diverse teams, regional, departmental, and technical leaders.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills; self‑starter with organizational and problem‑solving skills.

Compensation

The targeted salary range for this position (based on experience and location) is $132,107 - $204,500.

Location

Primary: Charlotte, North Carolina, United States.
Other potential locations include Texas, Pennsylvania, Oregon, Maryland, Montana, California, Wisconsin, New York, Washington, Nevada, Colorado, Arizona, and many additional sites nationwide.

Benefits & Commitment

HDR provides a comprehensive benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, disability, life insurance, employee assistance, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. HDR’s employee‑owned culture values inclusion and diversity, offering Employee Network Groups and a supportive work environment.

How to Apply

Our commitment to employment equity ensures we consider all qualified applicants. Submitted applications can be found on our careers platform.