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Substation Design Engineer Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Sargent & Lundy

Substation Engineer 3 - Grid

Glen Allen, VA · On-site

$74K - $113K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

As a Substation Engineer, you will: * Take an active role in project conceptualization, work ... Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others. * Proficiency with MS Office ...

Sargent & Lundy

Substation Physical Designer 2 - Grid

Glen Allen, VA · On-site

$64K - $93K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Collaborate with engineers and designers in high and extra high voltage substation design in order to prepare the following: General Arrangement, Electrical Equipment Plans, Section Views (Elevations ...

GFT.

Sr. Substation Engineer

Roanoke, VA

$107K - $165K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Design experience in high voltage substation, and distribution projects. * Experience in the ... engineers, planners, architects, inspectors, designers, and more. Our clients choose us for our ...

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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 Aug 17, 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?

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 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 August 2026, with employment types broken down into 81% Full Time, 16% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 13% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,652 per year, or $54.2 per hour.

Substation Engineer 3 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy

Glen Allen, VA • On-site

$74K - $113K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 21 hours ago

Sargent & Lundy rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

122nd of 449 rated engineering

Job description

Description
This position offers you the opportunity to work in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the detailed electrical design and project management of high voltage substation projects. As a Substation Engineer, you will:
  • Take an active role in project conceptualization, work planning, and project execution.
  • Support challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of electrical engineering issues.
  • Prepare reports that present technical and project information in a clear and concise manner and meet client requirements and S&L formats.
  • Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of S&L's systems of process and associated "Communities of Practice."
  • You may have the opportunity to travel to client sites as needed.

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.
  • 3 or more years experience in the design of Medium Voltage Power Systems.
  • Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects under budget and time constraints.
  • Experience tracking project information such as: schedules and expenditures against budgets, preparing status reports and client interface.
  • Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
  • Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others.
  • Proficiency with MS Office applications.

Valued but not required skills and experience:
  • A Bachelor of Science Electrical Engineering degree is preferrable.
  • A degree from an ABET accredited engineering program.
  • 1 or more years experience designing substations at 138kV and above.
  • Ability to prepare substation grounding calculations, direct stroke shielding calculations, battery & charger sizing calculations, etc.
  • Physical layout and protection & controls experience.
  • Ability to work with Designer to develop substation single line diagrams, relaying & metering diagrams, DC schematic diagrams, substation plan & sections, grounding plans, etc.
  • Familiarity with ANSI/IEEE/NEMA standards as they relate to substation design. This includes the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI - C2).
  • PE license.
  • AutoCAD experience.

AI & Automation at Sargent & Lundy
In this role, we expect people to be willing or able to solve problems using modern tools:
  • You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
  • Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
  • Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
  • We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.

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
$74,353 - $113,595
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

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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

Social media

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