Substation Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Job Title: Substation Designer

Job Description

This role focuses on providing detailed physical design and CADD/BIM support for transmission and distribution substation projects of varying size and complexity. You will work as part of a nationally ranked Power Delivery team, developing construction-ready design packages, supporting engineering calculations, and collaborating closely with multidisciplinary teams. This position offers an excellent growth opportunity for a self-directed professional who enjoys learning, solving complex design challenges, and contributing to high-impact power delivery projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop detailed substation physical design packages, including general arrangement drawings, equipment layouts and elevations, grounding and lightning protection plans, conduit, cable tray, and raceway layouts, and comprehensive bills of materials.
• Produce construction-ready drawing packages for high-voltage transmission and distribution substations that meet client requirements and applicable standards.
• Perform and support key engineering calculations such as ground grid design, conductor and bus sizing, cable sizing and routing, and AC/DC auxiliary system sizing.
• Assist in reviewing engineering and design calculations to verify accuracy, completeness, and compliance with relevant codes, standards, and client specifications.
• Coordinate closely with Protection and Control engineers, civil and structural teams, designers, and drafters to integrate multidisciplinary inputs into a complete and coherent substation design.
• Collaborate with engineering staff in both local and remote offices to ensure consistent design approaches, timely information sharing, and effective project execution.
• Participate in site visits to collect design data, verify existing conditions, and support construction and commissioning activities as needed.
• Work with contractors and clients in the field to resolve design issues, clarify design intent, and support successful project delivery.
• Use CADD/BIM tools to prepare, update, and maintain accurate substation drawings and models, ensuring that all design revisions are properly documented.
• Apply knowledge of substation equipment layout, clearances, grounding, lightning protection, and conduit and cable routing systems to develop safe, reliable, and efficient designs.

Essential Skills

• Associate degree or technical school degree in a relevant field, or an AutoCAD or MicroStation certification.
• At least 1 year of experience developing substation CADD layouts and designs from engineering inputs.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for drafting and design of substation layouts and related drawings.
• Proficiency with Microsoft Office tools to support documentation, reporting, and coordination.
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program is strongly preferred for mid-level engineering responsibilities.
• Between 2 and 8 years of experience in substation physical design, including work on transmission and distribution substations.
• Experience working with substation voltage levels in the range of approximately 12 kV through 230/345 kV, with higher voltage experience considered a plus.
• Knowledge of industry codes and standards, including IEEE, NESC, and NEC, and the ability to apply them to substation design.
• Ability to work closely and effectively with engineering staff, designers, and drafters in both local and remote office settings.
• Strong skills in drafting, design, and electrical design/drafting for power, substation, and distribution projects.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification, with progression toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure strongly preferred for engineering-focused responsibilities.
• Experience working on utility or engineering, procurement, and construction (EPC) substation projects.
• Familiarity with air-insulated (AIS) and gas-insulated (GIS) substations and their specific design considerations.
• Experience applying utility-specific design standards and client-specific requirements.
• Proficiency with MicroStation or Bentley Substation for substation design and drafting.
• Experience with 2D and 3D modeling tools, with Revit preferred, to support BIM-based substation design workflows.
• Understanding of substation equipment layout, equipment clearances, and associated safety and reliability requirements.
• Understanding of grounding and lightning protection design principles and their application in substation environments.
• Understanding of conduit, cable tray, and cable routing systems for AC/DC power and control circuits.
• Experience in related disciplines such as mechanical, MEP, civil, or electrical drafting and design for power systems.
• Ability to work independently, take initiative, and learn new tools and standards while contributing to project delivery.
• Strong communication and collaboration skills, with a focus on teamwork and knowledge sharing.

Work Environment

The position is based in a designated office location with a flexible hybrid work arrangement, typically including three days per week in the office and additional work-from-home flexibility. You will work within a collaborative, employee-ownership-driven culture that values innovation, attention to detail, and cross-disciplinary teamwork. The environment emphasizes open communication, networking across teams, and building on one another’s contributions to deliver high-quality power delivery projects. You will use tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, Bentley Substation, Revit, and Microsoft Office in a modern office setting designed to support both focused design work and close coordination with engineers and designers. The culture encourages professional growth, supports taking charge of your career, and provides multiple opportunities to expand your technical and project experience over time.

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Raleigh, NC.

The pay range for this position is $20.00 - $30.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

This is a hybrid position in Raleigh,NC.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 9, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.