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Entry Level Substation Engineer Jobs in Chicago, IL

We use in-house talent, expertise and resources to plan, design, engineer, manage, conduct ... No experience required for an entry level position in the electric utility industry. More ...

Engineer II

Oak Brook, IL ยท On-site

$99K/yr

We provide comprehensive consulting, engineering and design, program and project management, construction management, and EPC services, specializing in substation, transmission, distribution, and ...

We provide comprehensive consulting, engineering and design, program and project management, construction management, and EPC services, specializing in substation, transmission, distribution, and ...

New

Entry Level Substation Engineer information

See Chicago, IL salary details

$41.7K

$75.7K

$124.6K

How much do entry level substation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 1, 2026, the average yearly pay for entry level substation engineer in Chicago, IL is $75,744.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $53,600.00 and $91,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and responsibilities can an Entry Level Substation Engineer expect during their first year on the job?

As an Entry Level Substation Engineer, you can expect to work on a variety of tasks such as assisting with the design and analysis of electrical substations, preparing technical drawings and documentation, and supporting senior engineers with project planning and coordination. You'll likely participate in site visits, help with equipment specifications, and collaborate with teams in civil, structural, and protection engineering. This role provides hands-on experience with industry-standard software and offers opportunities to learn about power systems and grid reliability, setting a strong foundation for future career advancement.

What does an Entry Level Substation Engineer do?

An Entry Level Substation Engineer assists in the design, development, and maintenance of electrical substations, which are crucial for power distribution and transmission. Their responsibilities typically include preparing technical drawings, performing calculations, supporting project engineers, and ensuring compliance with safety and industry standards. They may also assist in field inspections, equipment selection, and coordination with other engineering teams. This role provides hands-on experience and mentorship to build foundational skills in electrical engineering within the power sector.

What is the difference between Entry Level Substation Engineer vs Substation Technician?

AspectEntry Level Substation EngineerSubstation Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related field; may include internshipsTechnical diploma or associate degree; on-the-job training
Work EnvironmentDesign, planning, and project coordination in office and field settingsField work focusing on equipment installation, maintenance, and troubleshooting
Employer & Industry UsageUtilities, engineering firms, construction companiesUtility companies, maintenance contractors

Entry Level Substation Engineers typically focus on designing and planning substations, requiring a degree in engineering, while Substation Technicians handle hands-on maintenance and troubleshooting. Both roles are essential in the power industry but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an Entry Level Substation Engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Substation Engineer, you need a solid understanding of electrical engineering principles, power systems, and a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with design software like AutoCAD, MicroStation, and industry standards (such as IEEE), along with knowledge of protective relay systems, is typically required. Strong analytical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication help you solve problems and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These skills and qualifications are crucial for ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient substation design and operation.
What are the most commonly searched types of Substation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? The most popular types of Substation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL are:
What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Substation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL? For Entry Level Substation Engineer jobs in Chicago, IL, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Entry Level Substation Engineer job openings in Chicago, IL as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 100% Full Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $75,744 per year, or $36.4 per hour.

Substation Protection & Controls Project Engineer (PE License Required)

Amped I LLC

Chicago, IL โ€ข On-site, Remote

$149K - $160K/yr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 9 days ago


Job description

Description

Amped I LLC was founded in 2010 as a design and engineering firm specializing in power infrastructure projects ranging from transmission to distribution for power utility, industry, government and commercial facilities. Amped I is a small, certified Women's Business Enterprise with the goal to provide exceptional value, integrity, and client satisfaction to all of our clients' needs. Amped I is also committed to both career growth and job satisfaction for each individual team member. We are proud and stand behind our core values of accountability, collaboration, positive energy, problem solving, and continuous improvement.


Job Summary

The Substation Protection & Controls Project Engineer role is a mid-level, full-time, permanent position. This position is fully-remote, allowing you to work from home Monday - Friday each week. While working alongside a team of experienced electrical engineers and providing guidance to entry-level electrical engineers, this position leads projects in electrical substation protection and control design. If you're looking for an exciting opportunity where your contributions and career growth is valued from day one, we invite you to apply!


Duties/Responsibilities

Responsibilities include but are not limited to the following:

  • Create/modify design documents and drawings for a project, including one-lines, three-lines, control schematics and wiring diagrams, relay panel arrangements and specifications, conduit and cable sizing/routing, and generating bills of material
  • Design auxiliary AC and DC power systems
  • Develop SCADA system and communications interfaces
  • Work with various project teams to fully develop system integration of protection, control, and monitoring systems
  • Perform basic calculations such as relay burden, voltage drop, and short circuit calculations
  • Perform relay coordination studies and prepare relay settings
  • Effectively communicate and coordinate project activities with Project Managers, clients, designers and drafters as needed
  • Single point of contact with clients on technical issues
  • Multi-discipline engineering
  • Manages project work from all technical aspects
  • Ability to review engineering of the entire project
  • Creates project cost estimates and proposals for new project work
  • Performs site walk-downs independently to scope project requirements
  • Produce scope documents based on client requests and standards

Supervisory Responsibilities

This position has no supervisory responsibilities.

Requirements

Required Skills and Abilities

  • Strong understanding of a substation project lifecycle at the utility levelย 
  • Excellent technical communication and detail-oriented work practices
  • High comfort level with teaching, training, and mentoring team members

Education and Experience

  • Bachelor's degree from an ABET-accredited university in Electrical Engineeringย 
  • Engineering Technology degrees considered in combination with industry experience
  • Professional Engineer (PE) License required, MS Engineering preferred, but not required
    • Ability to obtain PE License in additional states/jurisdictions based on client requirements
  • Minimum 6 years experience in relay protection and control design of high voltage 12-500 kV substations

Compensation and Benefits

We offer a competitive salary along with a comprehensive benefits package, including:

  • Health Insurance: Medical, dental, and vision plans, as well as access to telemedicine.
  • Retirement Plans: 401(k) with a company match.
  • Paid Time Off (PTO): Vacation days, sick leave, and personal time off.
  • Paid Company Holidays: Company paid holidays and one floating holiday.
  • Family Support: Paid leave policies for maternity, paternity, adoption, and foster care placement.
  • Life and Disability Insurance: Basic and supplemental life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance.
  • Flexible Scheduling: Remote work options and flexible work hours.

**In order to be considered for this position, please also complete the Culture Index assessment, linked here.


Our company embraces diversity and equal opportunity in a serious way. We are committed to building a team that represents a variety of backgrounds, perspectives, and skills. We believe the more inclusive we are, the better our work will be.