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Substation Design Engineer information

See Michigan salary details

$54.5K

$99K

$130.3K

How much do substation design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 13, 2026, the average yearly pay for substation design engineer in Michigan is $99,036.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $85,900.00 and $109,400.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Substation Design Engineer job?

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 engineers make $300,000 a year?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $300,000 or more annually, especially with extensive experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. Certain roles in high-demand industries or with executive responsibilities may also reach this compensation level.

What engineers make $500,000?

Senior engineers in specialized fields such as petroleum, aerospace, or software engineering can earn $500,000 or more annually, especially with experience, advanced skills, and leadership roles. Substation Design Engineers typically earn lower salaries, but those in executive or highly specialized positions may reach or exceed this level with bonuses and profit sharing.

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 in the Substation Design Engineer position, and why are they important?

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.

What does a substation design engineer do?

A substation design engineer is responsible for planning and developing electrical substations, including creating detailed layouts, selecting equipment, and ensuring compliance with safety and industry standards. They use design software and collaborate with project teams to ensure efficient and reliable power distribution systems. The role often requires knowledge of electrical engineering principles and relevant certifications.

Can you make $500,000 as an electrical engineer?

Substation Design Engineers, a specialized role within electrical engineering, typically earn salaries below $200,000 annually, with top earners in senior positions or with extensive experience potentially reaching higher figures. Achieving a $500,000 salary usually requires advanced roles, management positions, or significant bonuses and incentives in the industry.
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What job categories do people searching Substation Design Engineer jobs in Michigan look for? The top searched job categories for Substation Design Engineer jobs in Michigan are:
Substation Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Substation Design Engineer job openings in Michigan as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, and 24% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $99,036 per year, or $47.6 per hour.
Electrical Substation Engineer - #2705.20

Electrical Substation Engineer - #2705.20

Wade Trim

Traverse City, MI • Hybrid

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement

Posted 28 days ago

Job description

What We Offer:
 
Our excellent salary and benefits package includes medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, education reimbursement, 401(k), performance bonuses, and an employee stock program. Employee Resource Groups and Programs offered include the Young Professionals Group, Women at Wade Trim, Diversity, Equity and Inclusion, Professional Development, Leadership Development, Rotation Program, Mentor Program, Sustainability Program, and Wellness Program.

Position Description:

We are looking for an Electrical Substation Engineer to join our ICE Team to improve infrastructure in our Michigan offices. The candidate must have a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, and ten or more years of experience with high voltages substation design. Substation design encompasses distribution, sub-transmission and transmission level voltage classes. Experience with Bentley Projectwise, Microsoft Office, Bluebeam Revu PDF Editor, and SAP/Maximo is preferred. Some travel will be required for this role. A Professional Engineering License is preferred. The candidate must also be self-motivated, work well with others, and have excellent writing, organizational, and communication skills. A flexible work schedule (hybrid or remote) is available.
Typical responsibilities include:
  • Act as lead engineer on multi-disciplinary substation design projects, delegate tasks to less experienced engineers and design technicians, and ensure projects remain under budget and on schedule
  • Coordinate electrical design with civil/structural and civil/site engineering teams to ensure consistent designs, maintain a high level of quality, and meet project schedule and budget requirements
  • Attend and/or conduct client and project meetings
  • Create detailed project proposals that include scoping, preliminary conceptual design, and detailed cost estimate(s)
  • Assist with marketing, project reports and technical presentations
  • Provide support to business development and/or pursuit activities 
  • Coordinate with internal project controls and accounting staff
  • Perform detailed quality reviews of project deliverables
  • Provide technical guidance and mentoring to junior engineers and design technicians
  • Provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes
  • Assist in developing, maintaining, and updating engineering standards
  • Develop electrical design deliverables, including protection and control design (protective relays) and/or physical design with an emphasis on continuous improvement
  • Experienced in preparing one-lines, installation plans, section views, and details for power substation equipment
  • Experienced in preparing schematics, panel elevations, panel wiring diagrams, and interconnection diagrams for the protective relaying & control schemes for power substation equipment
  • Experienced in preparing research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection 
  • Experienced in preparing complex engineering calculations/studies related to substation projects such as: lightning protection, conduit fill, AC/DC station service loading, surge arrester sizing and voltage drop
  • Experienced in preparing RTU control, status and analog point lists, raceway/cable schedules along with maintenance/signage and nameplates
  • Maintain excellent client relations
  • Promote sales
  • Maintain a safe working environment
Education:
  • Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering required
Skills/Experience:
  • 10  or more years of experience with high voltage substation design is required
  • Strong knowledge of utility standards, NESC, and an understanding of construction techniques is required
  • Exposure to Bentley Projectwise, Microsoft Office, Bluebeam Revu PDF Editor, and SAP/Maximo is preferred
  • Professional Engineering License is preferred
  • Candidate must be willing to travel
About Wade Trim:

Wade Trim is committed to maximizing the value of infrastructure investments. We've been solving complex engineering challenges for a century. We customize our work approach to fit each project using a collaborative, friendly style to deliver solutions our clients can stand behind.

Our supportive culture recognizes and strives to fulfill collective client, company, and individual needs. Mentoring and building skills of Wade Trim staff is a priority. Frequent interaction among staff is encouraged, company leadership is easily accessible, and opportunities are provided for staff to help shape the firm's future through strategic planning. Work/life balance is supported through a flexible, hybrid work schedule that brings team members together in the office at least three days a week and connects them virtually when working from home.

To solve our clients' toughest challenges, we've devoted ourselves to delivering innovative solutions. Our Office of Applied Technology (OAT) is dedicated to seeking new technologies or ways to apply existing technologies to enhance value to our clients and positively impact communities. All staff are encouraged to share ideas and suggestions for innovative technologies or processes to adopt. This open-minded approach enables us to advance technology, foster innovation, and stay ahead of our clients' needs.

Wade Trim's success is shared by the employees that make it happen. Since our beginning, our firm has been 100% employee owned. This cultivates an ownership mindset that benefits our work approach, collaborative culture, and ability to deliver client solutions. We believe employee ownership drives the sustainability and growth of our firm and provides all our employees with opportunities for financial success.

If you are looking for a challenging and rewarding career in a friendly environment, please submit your resume by visiting the Careers section of our website at http://www.wadetrim.com/careers.

Wade Trim does not accept unsolicited resumes, candidate profiles, or CVs from third-party recruiters or employment agencies. Any submission made without a valid, signed agreement and an approved engagement request from Wade Trim's People Services Team will be considered the property of Wade Trim. Wade Trim reserves the right to pursue and hire any candidate submitted through unsolicited means without any financial obligation to the recruiter or agency. A valid agreement can only be signed by the Director of People Services. Resumes or candidate profiles submitted at the request of a Wade Trim employee who is not authorized by the People Services team do not constitute a valid engagement. Recruiters and agencies must have a current, written agreement authorized by the Director of People Services to be considered an approved vendor.

Wade Trim is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer.
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