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Substation Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Kimley-Horn

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design, and ...

Kimley-Horn

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Richmond, VA · On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Overview Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design ...

QTS Realty Trust, Inc.

Senior Substation Engineer

Ashburn, VA · On-site

$100K - $128K/yr

The Senior Substation Engineer will support the overall design and execution of QTS utility infrastructure. This role will support the delivery of utility capacity at each campus for data center ...

Kimley-Horn

Substation Physical Designer

Richmond, VA · On-site

Overview Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Designer with 4+ years of ... design. * Preferred (but not required): Associates degree with an engineering or drafting ...

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Substation Design Engineer information

See Virginia salary details

$62K

$112.7K

$148.2K

How much do substation design engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for substation design engineer in Virginia is $112,652.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,700.00 and $124,400.00 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.

How much money do substation 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 or those with specialized skills in power systems and CAD tools can earn higher salaries, often exceeding $120,000 annually.

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 executive or managerial engineering positions also reach this salary level, often requiring advanced certifications and significant industry expertise.

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 have lower top-end salaries, but those in executive or consulting positions may reach high compensation levels depending on the industry and location.

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.

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, location, and certifications. Entry-level positions may start lower, while experienced engineers with specialized skills can earn higher wages, especially in regions with high demand for electrical infrastructure expertise.
What are popular job titles related to Substation Design Engineer jobs in Virginia? For Substation Design Engineer jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Substation Design Engineer jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Substation Design Engineer jobs in Virginia are:
Substation Design Engineer jobs near you
Infographic showing various Substation Design Engineer job openings in Virginia as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 86% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 87% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,652 per year, or $54.2 per hour.
Substation Physical Design Engineer

Substation Physical Design Engineer

Kimley-Horn

Richmond, VA • On-site

$97K - $124K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 15 days ago

Kimley-Horn rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 442 rated engineering

Job description

Kimley-Horn's Richmond office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join the Power Delivery team. The successful candidate will support the design, and execution of high-voltage and medium-voltage substation projects for utility, renewable energy, and industrial clients. Responsibilities include developing physical layouts, equipment arrangements, grounding systems, lightning protection systems, and construction drawing packages while coordinating closely with protection and control, civil, structural, and electrical disciplines. The ideal candidate is a self-driven engineer with strong technical skills, experience in substation design standards and industry practices, and the ability to manage multiple projects in a fast-paced environment. This is not a remote position.


• Perform conceptual and detailed HV and MV substation physical/electrical design for utilities and substations, including basic layout, electrical arrangement, one-line diagrams, three-line drawings, plan-section drawings, and grounding.
• Perform engineering studies and calculations.
• Perform quality control reviews on substation physical design projects.
• Assume the role of technical lead on projects with limited guidance.
• Create and review bills of materials for substation physical projects.
• Develop and review proposals and scopes of work for smaller substation physical projects.
• Plan and lead client meetings, or meeting sections, related to physical design as required.
• Support the continued professional development of less experienced engineers, including technical guidance and training recommendations.
• Communicate effectively with internal teams and clients to meet project objectives.
• Develop leadership skills in preparation for future roles on the team.


  • 4+ years of relevant engineering experience in substation design.
  • Preferred (but not required): Professional Engineering (P.E.) license, or ability to obtain within 12 months.
  • Proficiency with industry-standard design software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation and inventor.
  • Experience with grounding studies, lightning protection studies, and lighting studies.

At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it— that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!

Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn

  • Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to1- company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
  • Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
  • Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
  • Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
  • Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
  • Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.

What Kimley-Horn employees say

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About Kimley-Horn

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

We are a full-service consulting firm that provides a wide range of infrastructure and land development planning and engineering services to both public and private clients. Though we have more than 6,000 employees in 100+ offices, we pride ourselves on our small company feel. At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People--clients and employees--are at the forefront of our business. Clients know we are laser-focused on their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to see our staff flourish, one and all. Both groups know that with Kimley-Horn, they can expect more and experience better.

Industry

Specialized design services

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1967

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