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Power Line Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Fluid power engineer applies fluid power theory and related knowledge to design, test and ... Ability to interact with various department and provide support to product line, purchasing ...

One-line diagrams * Control and relaying schematics * Wiring diagrams * Conduit and cable sizing ... Familiar with Maritime Shore Power Systems within coastal and humid waterfront engineering. * Agi32 ...

One-line diagrams * Control and relaying schematics * Wiring diagrams * Conduit and cable sizing ... Familiar with Maritime Shore Power Systems within coastal and humid waterfront engineering. * Agi32 ...

New

One-line diagrams * Control and relaying schematics * Wiring diagrams * Conduit and cable sizing ... Familiar with Maritime Shore Power Systems within coastal and humid waterfront engineering. * Agi32 ...

One-line diagrams * Control and relaying schematics * Wiring diagrams * Conduit and cable sizing ... Familiar with Maritime Shore Power Systems within coastal and humid waterfront engineering. * Agi32 ...

Power Generation Engineer, AWS Global Energy

Herndon, VA · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

... single line diagrams, specifications, and participate in project development. Your technical ... Key job responsibilities As a Power Generation Engineer on the Power Generation Solutions team, you ...

Power Generation Engineer, AWS Global Energy

Herndon, VA · On-site

$107K - $147K/yr

... single line diagrams, specifications, and participate in project development. Your technical ... Key job responsibilities As a Power Generation Engineer on the Power Generation Solutions team, you ...

Showing results 21-40

Power Line Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$61.5K

$121.1K

$167.6K

How much do power line engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for power line engineer in Virginia is $121,085.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,700.00 and $152,200.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a power line engineer do?

A Power Line Engineer is responsible for designing, planning, and overseeing the construction and maintenance of electrical power transmission and distribution lines. They ensure that power lines are safe, reliable, and comply with industry standards and regulations. Their work involves conducting site surveys, preparing technical drawings, selecting materials, and coordinating with utility companies and construction teams. Power Line Engineers also troubleshoot issues and implement upgrades to existing power infrastructure to improve efficiency and reliability.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a power line engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Power Line Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering, knowledge of power distribution systems, and typically a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with industry-specific tools like AutoCAD, GIS software, and relevant safety certifications such as OSHA are commonly required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help in designing safe and efficient power line systems and collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. These skills are crucial to ensure the reliability, safety, and regulatory compliance of electrical infrastructure projects.

How does a power line engineer typically collaborate with other professionals on large-scale infrastructure projects?

Power Line Engineers frequently work as part of multidisciplinary teams, collaborating closely with civil engineers, project managers, surveyors, and utility planners. Effective communication is essential, as Power Line Engineers must coordinate design specifications, safety standards, and project timelines with various stakeholders. They also often participate in site visits and planning meetings to ensure that electrical infrastructure integrates seamlessly with other construction elements. This collaborative environment not only supports successful project delivery but also provides valuable professional networking and learning opportunities.

What is the difference between Power Line Engineer vs Power Distribution Technician?

AspectPower Line EngineerPower Distribution Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in electrical engineering, certifications in line constructionHigh school diploma or equivalent, technical certifications in electrical systems
Work EnvironmentDesign, planning, and overseeing high-voltage power line projectsInstallation, maintenance, and repair of power distribution systems
Industry UsageUtility companies, engineering firms, construction projectsUtility companies, maintenance contractors

Power Line Engineers focus on designing and managing high-voltage power line projects, requiring engineering degrees and planning skills. Power Distribution Technicians handle the installation and maintenance of electrical distribution systems, often with technical certifications. Both roles are essential in the power industry but differ in responsibilities and qualifications.

How much do power line engineers make?

Power line engineers typically earn a median annual salary of around $70,000 to $100,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications. They often work in outdoor environments and may require specialized training in electrical systems and safety protocols.

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Power Line Engineer jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Power Line Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Power Line Engineer job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% Internship, 84% Full Time, 5% Part Time, and 9% Contract. Highlights an 98% In-person, and 2% Hybrid job distribution, with an average salary of $121,085 per year, or $58.2 per hour.

Lead Substation Engineer 2 - Grid

Glen Allen, VA • On-site

Sargent & Lundy
Civil Engineering Construction • 1 - 5K employees

$134K - $205K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Work on substation modifications and upgrades, including creating calculations, document designs, and specifications.

  • Prepare relaying philosophies, select relay, control, and communications equipment, and develop SCADA and telecommunication concepts.

  • Guide and coordinate with other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure complete and timely design.


Sargent & Lundy rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Description
This position will offer you the ability to directly apply your knowledge of protective relaying and controls systems for HV and EHV substations. As a Lead Substation Engineer, you will:
  • Work on a wide range of substation modifications and upgrades to support client requirements and reviews including creating calculations, document designs, and specifications.
  • Prepare relaying philosophies, including selecting relay, control, and communications equipment, developing SCADA and telecommunication concepts and configurations, and overseeing the preparation of I/O assignments and connection diagrams.
  • Guide junior and senior-level engineers and designers in protection and controls engineering design efforts, including providing guidance with the coordination of detailed design phases for all aspects of the engineering work.
  • Support challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of engineering issues.
  • Perform analysis and design of single line diagrams, substation relaying & metering diagrams (i.e. A.C. schematic diagrams), and D.C. Schematic diagrams.
  • Prepare engineering studies for client and peer review.
  • Perform independent reviews of work performed by others including calculations and drawing preparation.
  • Coordinate and provide guidance to other engineers, project managers, client personnel, and suppliers to ensure a complete and timely design.
  • Perform reviews of existing facilities to propose upgrades and replacements, and present findings and recommendations to clients and peers.
  • Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of Sargent & Lundy's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice."
  • Provide guidance as a mentor in the development of less experienced engineers.
  • There is the potential for you to travel to client and vendor offices for design reviews and to plant site locations for construction coordination and field verification of designs.

This role offers a hybrid work arrangement, with the expectation of spending three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days.
Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
  • This position requires a Bachelor of Science Engineering degree.
  • 12 or more years experience designing substations at 138kV and above.
  • PE license.
  • Experience with serving as firm/client liaison in a support or lead engineering role.
  • Experience in writing and providing support documentation for relay calculations.
  • Experience with the design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models.
  • Proficiency with any of the following programs: SKM, ETAP, ASPEN, CDEGS, or vendor software.
  • Familiarity with design codes and standards, such as NEC, NESC, NEMA, IEEE and ANSI.
  • Experience with various vendor protective relay equipment typically used in substation protection, including SEL, ABB, GE, Areva, and Basler.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills.

Valued but not required skills and experience:
  • A Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree is preferrable.
  • A degree from an ABET accredited engineering program.
  • Prior experience is desirable to include in-line, bus and equipment protection, breaker, transformer and similar equipment control, RTU and data concentrator based SCADA systems, telemetering and communications (fiber optics, microwave, power line carrier, etc.).
  • AutoCAD or MicroStation experience.
  • Construction and start-up experience.
  • Testing or commissioning experience.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy
In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to lead others who use modern tools:
  • You are expected to lead others in taking engineering problems from issue to solution by setting expectations for using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Leaders in these roles often direct automation and process-improvement work, for example, how teams automate calculations, summarize technical documents, or generate design documentation and guiding when and how AI or agentic AI tools are used while ensuring results are checked.
  • Overseeing engineers who program or script (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate engineering tasks, with review of automated outputs, is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other experience in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that enables effective oversight of automation and agentic AI-enabled engineering workflows.

Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance
  • Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
  • Life & Accident Insurance
  • Disability Coverage
  • Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
  • Back-Up Daycare
  • FSA & HSA
  • 401(k)
  • Pre-Tax Commuter Account
  • Merit Scholarship Program
  • Employee Discount Program
  • Corporate Charitable Giving Program
  • Tuition Assistance
  • First Professional Licensure Bonus
  • Employee Referral Bonus
  • Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
  • Paid Vacation
  • Paid Holidays
  • Paid Parental Leave
  • Paid Bereavement Leave
  • Flexible Work Arrangements

Compensation Range
$134,546 - $205,557
Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.

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About Sargent & Lundy

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Sargent & Lundy is one of the most experienced full-service architect-engineering firms in the world. Founded in 1891, the firm is a global leader in power and energy with expertise in grid modernization, renewable energy, energy storage, nuclear power, and fossil fuels. Sargent & Lundy delivers comprehensive project services--from consulting, design and implementation to construction management, commissioning and operations/maintenance--with an emphasis on quality and safety. The firm serves public and private sector clients in the power and energy, gas distribution, industrial, and government sectors.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Chicago, IL, US

Year founded

1891

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