Senior Substation Design Engineer

WSP in Africa; Midrand; On-site; ZAR 850,000 - 1,200,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

First-class medical cover

Generous annual leave

Paid professional subscriptions

Flexible working arrangements

Job summary

WSP in Africa is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer in Midrand to lead design engineering for substations. Candidates should hold a relevant engineering degree and have at least 15 years of experience in protection and communication design within power network projects.

This role includes preparing technical designs, mentoring junior engineers, and ensuring compliance with industry standards. WSP offers competitive pay, benefits such as first-class medical cover, and flexible working arrangements.

Qualifications

• Minimum 15 years of engineering experience in protection and communication design.
• Degree in Electrical Engineering or similar from an accredited institution.
• Professional registration with Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA).

Responsibilities

• Prepare functional designs and specifications for substation projects.
• Conduct fault studies and relay settings calculations.
• Design and configure SCADA systems and protection schemes.
• Mentor junior engineers and manage technical documentation.

Skills

Fluent spoken and written English

Strong technical report writing skills

Ability to work independently

Strong organizational skills

Ability to manage time effectively

Education

Degree in Electrical Engineering

Professional registration with ECSA

Tools

AutoCAD

EPLAN

PowerFactory

ETAP

DigSilent

Job description

Job Description

WSP is one of the most diverse consulting firms globally and across Africa. We are seeking talented, loyal, and committed employees to support our strategic business expansion. We are dedicated to achieving and maintaining diversity and equity in employment.

Key Role

WSP South Africa is looking for candidates holding a BSc or BEng in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline. The role primarily involves design engineering for substations in transmission and distribution projects, working with PTMC systems and voltages ranging from 400 V LV (AC/DC) to 500 kV AC. Experience with 765 kV AC or DC is beneficial. Technical delivery and project management responsibilities are performed within a team and individually on various projects.

Responsibilities

• Prepare or review conceptual or functional designs, specifications, bills of quantity, and tender documents for substation projects (11 kV to 500 kV) to internationally accepted standards.
• Prepare detailed protection and communication design packages for substations and power networks.
• Provide protection schemes, relay setting philosophy, and communication architectures, including schematics, single‑line diagrams, wiring diagrams, protection and control drawings, and interface diagrams.
• Conduct fault studies, relay settings calculations, and coordination reports for transmission and distribution systems.
• Design and configure protection, automation, and SCADA systems.
• When designs are undertaken by contractors, review submitted designs against specifications.
• Ensure compliance with industry standards such as IEC, IEEE, NRS, SANS, and Eskom (or similar) standards.
• Attend meetings with project stakeholders and prepare minutes.
• Prepare comprehensive technical documentation and project reports.
• Provide project engineering support during construction and commissioning of transmission and distribution projects.
• Participate in design reviews, HAZOPs, FATs, SATs, and site commissioning support.
• Respond to technical queries, conduct factory inspections, witness equipment testing, review routine and type test results, and monitor construction progress on site.
• Prepare and review project scope, methodology, schedules, and budgets for consultancy proposals.
• Maintain relationships with internal divisions, external contractors, construction teams, and clients.
• Provide technical input for tenders, proposals, and project planning.
• Keep up to date with all technical quality‑management procedures, developments, and specifications related to the discipline work scope.
• Familiarity with Eskom's (or similar) design standards and best practices for substations.
• Adhere to all safety regulations and procedures related to electrical work and site safety.
• Mentor junior engineers.
• Build strong client relationships and promote a collaborative team culture.
• International and local travel when required.

Health and Safety

• Model SHEQ performance and behaviors consistent with the company’s health, safety, environmental, and quality vision and policies.
• Contribute to the identification of SHEQ risks and drive processes to achieve Zero Harm.
• Promote a safe working environment and embrace company values at all times.
• Maintain awareness of key health and safety impacts on substation construction contracts.

Qualifications

Essential

• Degree in Electrical Engineering or a similar discipline from an internationally recognized institution.
• Minimum 15 years of engineering experience in protection and communication design for power network projects.
• Professional registration with the Engineering Council of South Africa (ECSA) or an internationally recognized institution.

Desirable

• Strong understanding of protection schemes, C&I, SCADA, and substation automation systems.
• Proficiency with design tools such as EPLAN, DigSilent, AutoCAD, PowerFactory, ETAP, PSSE, or similar.
• Experience in renewable grid engineering projects.
• Familiarity with Eskom standards and grid code requirements.
• Experience working with utilities, EPCs, or engineering consultancies.
• Knowledge of protection relays from manufacturers such as Siemens, ABB, GE, and SEL.

Key Competencies and Generic Skills

• Fluent spoken and written English.
• Ability to work as part of a dispersed and remote team and communicate effectively using collaboration software such as Microsoft Teams.
• Strong technical report writing skills.
• Ability to manage time, quality, and effort to deliver high‑quality products within cost and time constraints.
• Ability to work under pressure and meet tight deadlines.
• Strong organizational skills and willingness to go the extra mile to ensure timely deliverables.
• Ability to work independently and accurately with minimal supervision.

Benefits

We recognise that work is only one part of your life and promote a healthy work‑life balance. WSP offers competitive pay, standard benefits including first‑class medical cover, generous annual leave, and paid professional subscriptions. Flexible working arrangements such as working from home, part‑time schedules, or flexible start and finish times are welcomed and considered during the application process.

Here at WSP we actively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, religion, or belief, marital status, pregnancy, or maternity/paternity. We will interview all disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria.