Substation Senior Structural Engineer

HDR; West Palm Beach (FL); Hybrid; USD 132,107 - 204,500; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Comprehensive benefits package

Paid time away

Retirement savings plan with employer match

Job summary

A multidisciplinary engineering firm seeks a Substation Senior Structural Engineer to lead the design of high voltage substation projects up to 500 kV. This role involves overseeing structural and foundation design tasks, mentoring junior engineers, and collaborating with teams in multiple locations. Qualified candidates should have a bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering, at least 10 years of experience, and strong project management skills. A comprehensive benefits package is included.

Qualifications

• Minimum of 10 years of structural engineering experience related to building design.
• License recognized by the local board (PE or P.Eng).
• Ability to design in steel, concrete, masonry, and wood.

Responsibilities

• Lead structural design components of high voltage substation projects.
• Review and execute foundation design tasks for substation structures.
• Prepare and review specifications for construction and materials.

Skills

Structural design

Team collaboration

Problem-solving

Communication skills

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Civil or Structural Engineering

Master’s degree in Structural Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD

Microsoft Office

STAAD

PLS-Tower

Job description

Substation Senior Structural Engineer

Join HDR as a Substation Senior Structural Engineer (Substation Sr. SE) to lead structural design components of high voltage substation projects up to 500 kV. You will work closely with project managers and teams across multiple office locations to design, review, and oversee structural engineering and foundation tasks, mentor junior engineers, and develop best practices within the discipline.

Responsibilities

• Lead, oversee, review, and 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 or development of loading and concept drawings for submittal to a steel fabricator.
• Lead, oversee, review, and 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 and materials.
• Assign project tasks and provide technical guidance to the project team.
• Coordinate and perform quality checks and reviews for project deliverables per HDR Quality Management System (QMS) requirements, processes, and procedures, and perform reviews of other teams’ projects on an as‑needed basis.
• 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 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 and attend training and seminars focused on further development and understanding of complex concepts related to their discipline.
• Assist with developing technical papers and/or presentations that showcase HDR’s technical capabilities 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 one; 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 500 kV.
• Familiarity with NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI, ASCE‑113 and other industry standards.
• Experience using industry‑standard design software, including PLS‑Tower, 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 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.
• 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 of 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., 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 of our employee‑owned culture is a must.

Benefits

HDR provides a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, health, performance, and success. Benefits include medical, dental, vision, short‑term and long‑term disability, life insurance, employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus, and tuition reimbursement. Compensation range is $132,107 – $204,500.

Location

Primary: Charlotte, NC. Other locations including Texas (Round Rock, Houston), Pennsylvania (Bethlehem), Oregon (Salem), Maryland (Baltimore), Montana (Missoula), Washington (Madison), New York (Buffalo), and many additional sites nationwide.

Job Posting Date

Nov 24, 2025

EEO Statement

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.