Senior Substation Engineer - High Voltage Systems

Placements24; Sandton; Hybrid; ZAR 1,200,000 - 1,800,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Hybrid work arrangement

Performance bonuses

Retirement savings plan

Job summary

Placements24 in Sandton, Gauteng, is seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to lead HV substation design from concept to commissioning. You will drive layouts, protection schemes, and equipment selections while coordinating multi-disciplinary teams to ensure safe, reliable, and compliant substations.

The role demands extensive HV engineering experience, strong leadership, and a proven track record in delivering complex substation projects within national energy initiatives.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering required.
• Pr.Eng. registration with ECSA preferred.
• 8+ years in substation engineering with HV AC/DC experience.

Responsibilities

• Lead electrical design of substations including layout, single-line diagrams, equipment specs, and protection schemes.
• Perform power system studies: load flow, short circuit, stability analyses.
• Specify HV equipment: transformers, circuit breakers, disconnects, instrument transformers.
• Develop protection and control philosophies and relay schemes.
• Coordinate with civil, structural, and mechanical disciplines.
• Review vendor submittals for compliance with specs.
• Mentor junior engineers and designers.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources.
• Conduct site visits for design verification, construction support, and commissioning.

Skills

Substation design

Power system studies

Protection coordination

Project management

Team leadership

Education

Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering

Master's degree or equivalent experience

Pr.Eng. registration with ECSA

Tools

CDEGS

ETAP

AutoCAD Electrical

Job description

About the Role

Our client is a leading consultancy firm in the energy infrastructure sector, renowned for its expertise in designing and delivering high-voltage electrical systems. We are seeking a highly experienced Senior Substation Engineer to bolster our engineering capabilities in Sandton, Gauteng . This role is paramount for the design, development, and oversight of substation projects, from conceptualization through to commissioning. You will lead the engineering efforts for new substation constructions, expansions, and upgrades, ensuring optimal performance, reliability, and safety of critical electrical infrastructure. The ideal candidate will possess extensive knowledge of substation design principles, high-voltage equipment (transformers, circuit breakers, switchgear), protection systems, and project management methodologies. A strong background in power systems engineering and a proven track record of successfully delivering complex substation projects are essential. This is an exceptional opportunity to contribute to major energy projects and influence the future of South Africa’s power grid. We foster a culture of innovation, technical excellence, and collaborative problem-solving.

Key Responsibilities

• Lead the electrical design of substations, including layout, single-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and protection schemes.
• Perform detailed engineering calculations for power system studies, including load flow, short circuit, and stability analyses.
• Specify high-voltage equipment such as power transformers, circuit breakers, disconnect switches, and instrument transformers.
• Develop protection and control philosophies and design relaying schemes for various substation applications.
• Coordinate design activities with other disciplines, including civil, structural, and mechanical engineering.
• Review vendor technical submittals and ensure compliance with design specifications.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior substation engineers and designers.
• Manage project timelines, budgets, and resources to ensure successful project delivery.
• Conduct site visits for design verification, construction support, and commissioning assistance.

Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering; Master's degree or equivalent experience is a plus.
• A minimum of 8 years of progressive experience in substation engineering, with a focus on high-voltage AC and DC systems.
• Professional Engineer (Pr.Eng.) registration with ECSA is required.
• Expertise in substation design software (e.g., CDEGS, ETAP, AutoCAD Electrical).
• Thorough understanding of power system analysis, protection coordination, and equipment capabilities.
• Experience with SCADA systems and communication protocols relevant to substations.
• Strong project management skills and experience managing project teams.
• Excellent communication, leadership, and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a team environment and manage multiple projects simultaneously.

Benefits

• Highly attractive salary and comprehensive benefits package.
• Performance-based bonuses and profit-sharing opportunities.
• Generous paid time off and retirement savings plan.
• Opportunities for continuous professional development and advanced training.
• Exposure to challenging and impactful national energy projects in Sandton, Gauteng .
• Hybrid work arrangement to promote work-life balance.