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Substation Design Engineer Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

... Substation design. We also help clients with Long‑Range and Capital Improvement Plans. The ... Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equal. * 2+ years' experience working in the ...

... Substation design. We also help clients with Long-Range and Capital Improvement Plans. The ... Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or equal * 2+ years' experience working in the ...

... with Engineering, Procurement, and Construction (EPC) services for solar and BESS projects ... Supervise construction efforts to ensure compliance with design, budget, and schedule. * Supervise ...

Engineering Manager EPC

Marshalltown, IA · On-site

$103K - $174K/yr

Minimum of 7+ years of design, engineering, or project management experience related to electrical transmission, distribution, and substation projects * Experience managing project teams or ...

Showing results 21-40

Substation Design Engineer information

See Iowa salary details

$58.7K

$106.7K

$140.4K

How much do substation design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 14, 2026, the average yearly pay for substation design engineer in Iowa is $106,726.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $92,500.00 and $117,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a substation design engineer?

A Substation Design Engineer is responsible for designing electrical substations that facilitate the transmission and distribution of electricity. They create detailed plans, specifications, and layouts for substation components, including switchgear, transformers, and protection systems. Their role involves ensuring compliance with industry standards, safety regulations, and reliability requirements. They work closely with utility companies, project managers, and other engineering disciplines to develop efficient and cost-effective designs. This position requires expertise in electrical engineering, CAD software, and power system analysis.

What are the main challenges a substation design engineer faces during a typical project?

Substation Design Engineers often encounter challenges such as coordinating with multidisciplinary teams, managing complex design requirements, and ensuring compliance with strict safety and regulatory standards. Balancing project schedules while addressing site-specific constraints and integrating new technologies can also pose difficulties. Effective communication with project managers, construction crews, and utility clients is essential to address issues quickly and keep the project on track. Successful engineers are proactive in problem-solving and adaptable to evolving project needs, which helps minimize delays and optimize design solutions.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a substation design engineer?

A Substation Design Engineer requires a strong background in electrical engineering, knowledge of power systems, and a relevant engineering degree, often with a Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred. Proficiency in CAD software (such as AutoCAD or MicroStation), protective relay coordination tools, and familiarity with utility standards are important technical competencies. Excellent problem-solving, communication, and project management skills help facilitate effective collaboration and ensure clarity during cross-disciplinary projects. These abilities are critical for delivering safe, efficient, and reliable substation designs that meet regulatory and operational standards.

How much does a substation design engineer make?

A substation design engineer's salary typically ranges from $70,000 to $120,000 annually, depending on experience, education, and location. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills or certifications can earn higher salaries, especially in regions with high demand for electrical infrastructure expertise.

How much money do substation design engineers make?

Substation design engineers typically earn a median annual salary ranging from $70,000 to $110,000, depending on experience, location, and certifications. Senior engineers with specialized skills or working in high-demand areas can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000 annually.

What does a substation design engineer do?

A substation design engineer develops detailed plans for electrical substations, including layouts, equipment specifications, and safety features. They use design software and adhere to industry standards to ensure reliable power distribution and may coordinate with other engineering teams during project implementation.

What are popular job titles related to Substation Design Engineer jobs in Iowa?

For Substation Design Engineer jobs in Iowa, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Substation Design Engineer jobs in Iowa look for?

The top searched job categories for Substation Design Engineer jobs in Iowa are:

Infographic showing various Substation Design Engineer job openings in Iowa as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 84% Full Time, 13% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 81% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 15% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,726 per year, or $51.3 per hour.

Substation Physical CADD Designer

Muscatine, IA • On-site

$39.66 - $50.37/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 23 days ago


Job description

Stanley Consultants is an award-winning and industry-leading global consulting engineering firm, with an unmatched commitment to culture, values, and ethics. We are dedicated to client experience and solve the most complex challenges to create a sustainable, connected, and enriched world for all. As the world changes, Stanley strategically evolves with it, integrating the latest technology, innovation, and resiliency practices.
 
With over a century of experience serving the energy, federal government, transportation, and water sectors, we have helped improve lives and shape the infrastructure systems that connect us. As an employee-owned organization with a People First approach, we stand apart from other engineering consulting and services firms. At Stanley, your voice counts, your growth matters, and your success is our success.
 
Stanley Consultants offers flexible work options, competitive pay and great benefits, a strong sense of community, and the chance to build a meaningful, long-term career!

Job title - Substation Physical Designer
Job location - Denver, CO (Centennial) | or Muscatine, IA
Job type - Hybrid or Onsite
Requisition ID - 11184
 

JOB SUMMARY:

Primarily functions as substation physical designer to create equipment plans, elevations, conduit/trench plans, grounding plans, installation details, bill of materials, and conduit schedules drawings on projects. Drawings created by designer should be substantially complete, requiring limited review and mark-up by the engineer prior to completion. Fully developed and marked-up details would not be provided by the engineer; the designer would be expected to utilize the results of calculations, design criteria, scope of work and specifications in preparing the drawings with the engineer's verbal overview of what is needed.

What You Will Be Doing:
  • Utilize CAD in 2D or 3D to create drawings
  • Gather information from manufacturers and vendors drawings for substation design
  • Create general arrangement from one-line diagram
  • Create plans and elevations from general arrangement
  • Prepare preliminary foundation plan
  • Create grounding plan and conduit/trench plan from general arrangement
  • Create bill of material and populate plans and elevations with corresponding call-outs
  • Create grounding and conduit details and associated bill of material
  • Create conduit schedules
  • Coordinate the physical design with civil, steel structures and foundations designs
  • Complete drawings from conceptual development, design phases, construction, to as-built
  • Provide drafting support on other disciplines drawings
  • Provide technicians and designers with design sketches for preparation of finished design drawings, and guidance in refining technical requirements
  • Assist in the training of other technicians and designers
  • Performs other work-related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications:
  • Minimum of 10 years relevant design experience, or able to perform essential duties successfully, and meet the following qualifications
  • Certificate or Associates degree in CADD, drafting, engineering technology or related field
  • Proficiency with AutoCAD and Microstation
  • Autodesk Inventor and/or Bentley Substation 3D software knowledge is a plus
  • Excellent communication, collaboration and coordination skills with drafting and engineering
  • Good understanding of what is required for project set-up and start-up
  • A thorough understanding of the physical design package and how changes in each drawing will carry through to other drawings and disciplines.
  • RUS design guide - General overall knowledge of voltage levels, ampacity, fault current, typical station layouts, bus arrangements & protection schemes
  • Thorough knowledge of bus configuration types and purposes
  • Thorough knowledge of common major equipment applications, types, ratings, manufacturers, specifications and installation requirements
  • Thorough knowledge of common conductors, hardware, fasteners and assemblies including application, types, ratings, manufacturers, specifications and installation, testing and commissioning requirements
  • Good understanding of steel structures and foundations used in substations
  • Thorough understanding of construction & maintenance methods, requirements, sequences and limitations
  • Highly proficient in the CAD Technician role including QA/QC procedures
$39.66 - $50.37 an hour
(Hourly range for CO location)
Stanley Consultants is committed to maintaining transparency in our hiring process, including providing information about compensation. The starting salary for the successful candidate in this position is competitive and will be determined by the selected candidate's qualifications and experience, geographic location, internal equity, company policy and practices. In compliance with pay transparency laws, pay ranges are disclosed for positions and locations where required.

JUDGMENT AND INITIATIVEExercises considerable judgment in design, layout, and coordination. Recommends actions and achieves results with moderate supervision.


Work-Life Balance
We realize there's more to life than just work. We help you meet the demands of work, family and personal life through several flexible options.
 
What we offer:
Member-Owned. Member-ownership is at the heart of our culture, aligning client satisfaction, company performance, and personal reward.
Paid Time Away. Stanley Consultants offers numerous paid holidays, generous paid time off (PTO), parental leave, and professional development leave.
Health Insurance. We provide a comprehensive insurance package including medical, dental, vision, FSA, HSA, Doctor On Demand, wellness reimbursement, and mental health resources.
Financial Health. We offer life insurance, short- and long-term disability insurance, identity theft protection, and many other benefits.
Professional Growth. When your skills grow, so do we, which is why we offer tuition assistance, professional society membership, and more.
Financial Rewards. We share our prosperity with members through company stock ownership, a generous 401K match, incentive compensation, and profit-sharing contributions to retirement 401K plans.
Click Here: A Great Place To Work  
 
Learn more about Stanley Consultants in this short video:  Working at Stanley Consultants
 
Stanley Consultants does not welcome unsolicited resumes from staffing and recruiting agencies. Any unsolicited resumes submitted to Stanley Consultants, including but not limited to resumes submitted directly to Stanley Consultants members, or any of our representatives, will be deemed the property of Stanley Consultants.
 
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
 
The contractor will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, or (c) consistent with the contractor's legal duty to furnish information. 41 CFR 60-1.35(c)
 
We may use artificial intelligence (AI) tools to support parts of the hiring process, such as reviewing applications, analyzing resumes, or assessing responses and identifying potential inconsistencies or verification signals in application materials based on available information. These tools assist our recruitment team but do not replace human judgment. Final hiring decisions are ultimately made by humans. If you would like more information about how your data is processed, please contact us.
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