Senior Electrical Design Engineer (Substation)

Placements24; Midrand; Hybrid; ZAR 900,000 - 1,500,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Competitive salary

Professional growth

High‑impact infrastructure projects

Collaborative team environment

Grid reliability contribution

Annual performance bonuses

Pension plan

Medical aid contributions

Study leave and support for further CQ

Job summary

Placements24 is seeking a Senior Electrical Design Engineer specializing in substations for a Midrand, Gauteng role. You will lead the electrical design efforts for high‑voltage substations, from concept through commissioning, ensuring compliance with standards and client specifications.

The ideal candidate has a Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering and 7+ years of HV substation experience, with CAD proficiency (AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation) and grounding knowledge.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.
• Minimum 7 years of experience in electrical design engineering with focus on high-voltage substations.
• Proficiency in CAD software such as AutoCAD Electrical and MicroStation.
• Strong understanding of power system fundamentals, protection principles, and control systems.
• Experience with substation equipment specifications and selection.
• Knowledge of grounding design and analysis.
• Familiarity with NRS and other SA electrical codes and standards.
• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration or eligibility is preferred.

Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of high-voltage substations from concept to detailed engineering.
• Develop single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts.
• Specify transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, busbars, and surge arresters.
• Design protection and control schemes, including relay settings and logic.
• Perform grounding and bonding calculations to ensure safety and system integrity.
• Conduct site visits for facility assessments and design verification.
• Review and approve designs by junior engineers and external consultants.
• Ensure designs comply with industry standards and client specifications.
• Collaborate with project managers, procurement, and construction teams.

Skills

Electrical design

Substation design

Lead design activities

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Tools

AutoCAD Electrical

MicroStation

Job description

About the Role

Our client, a prominent entity within the Energy infrastructure domain, is actively recruiting a highly skilled Senior Electrical Design Engineer with a specialization in substations for their office in Midrand, Gauteng . This role is instrumental in the design and development of critical electrical substation projects that form the backbone of the power grid. The ideal candidate will possess extensive experience in electrical design, including single-line diagrams, protection and control schemes, equipment specifications, and grounding studies. You will be responsible for leading design efforts, ensuring projects meet technical specifications, safety standards, and regulatory requirements. This position offers a challenging and rewarding career path, contributing to the modernization and expansion of energy infrastructure. You will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams, including civil, mechanical, and project management, to deliver complex substation projects from concept through to commissioning. Your expertise will be vital in ensuring the reliability and efficiency of electrical power distribution and transmission systems. This role demands a rigorous approach to design and a thorough understanding of electrical engineering principles applied to substation environments.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of high-voltage substations, including all aspects from conceptual design to detailed engineering.


• Develop single-line diagrams, schematics, wiring diagrams, and control panel layouts.


• Specify substation components such as transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear, busbars, and surge arresters.


• Design protection and control schemes, including relay settings and logic.


• Perform grounding and bonding calculations and designs to ensure safety and system integrity.


• Conduct site visits for existing facility assessments and design verification.


• Review and approve designs prepared by junior engineers and external consultants.


• Ensure designs comply with relevant industry standards (e.g., NRS, IEC, ANSI) and client specifications.


• Collaborate with project managers, procurement, and construction teams to ensure smooth project execution.


• Provide technical support during the construction and commissioning phases of projects.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.


• Minimum of 7 years of experience in electrical design engineering, with a significant focus on high-voltage substations.


• Proficiency in CAD software (e.g., AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation) and electrical design tools.


• Solid understanding of power system fundamentals, protection principles, and control systems.


• Experience with substation equipment specifications and selection.


• Knowledge of grounding design and analysis is essential.


• Familiarity with relevant South African electrical codes and standards (NRS).


• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.


• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to work effectively in a team.


• Professional Engineer (Pr. Eng) registration or eligibility is preferred.

Benefits

• Competitive salary and benefits package.


• Opportunities for professional growth and development.


• Involvement in high-impact infrastructure projects.


• Collaborative and supportive team environment.


• Contribution to the reliability of the national power grid.


• Annual performance bonuses.


• Pension fund and medical aid contributions.


• Study leave and support for further qualifications.