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Substation Engineer Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$95K - $140K/yr

Substation Engineer Employment Type: Direct Hire Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid, to be confirmed Salary: $95,000-$140,000 annually, depending on experience Project Focus: Electric Utility ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$95K - $140K/yr

Substation Engineer Employment Type: Direct Hire Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid, to be confirmed Salary: $95,000-$140,000 annually, depending on experience Project Focus: Electric Utility ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site +1

$95K - $140K/yr

Substation Engineer Employment Type: Direct Hire Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid, to be confirmed Salary: $95,000-$140,000 annually, depending on experience Project Focus: Electric Utility ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$95K - $140K/yr

Substation Engineer Employment Type: Direct Hire Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid, to be confirmed Salary: $95,000-$140,000 annually, depending on experience Project Focus: Electric Utility ...

Substation Engineer

Oakland, CA · On-site

$176K - $187K/yr

Job Title: Senior Substation Engineering Lead Role Overview We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineering Lead to spearhead the engineering and design of complex, large-scale electrical ...

Senior Substation Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

Senior Substation Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time About the Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting high ...

Senior Substation Engineer

Irvine, CA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

Senior Substation Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time About the Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting high ...

Senior Substation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$106K - $135K/yr

Senior Substation Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time About the Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting high ...

Senior Substation Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time About the Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting high ...

Senior Substation Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time About the Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting high ...

Senior Substation Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time About the Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting high ...

Senior Substation Engineer

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$106K - $135K/yr

Senior Substation Engineer Location: Irvine, CA (Hybrid) Job Type: Full-Time About the Opportunity We are seeking a Senior Substation Engineer to join a growing engineering team supporting high ...

Substation Engineer

Pleasanton, CA · On-site

$90K - $130K/yr

We are seeking a highly motivated and skilled Substation Engineer to join our team at K&A Engineering in Pleasanton, CA. In this role, you will have the opportunity to work on exciting and ...

Senior Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

Senior Substation Engineer Department: Power Delivery Substation Department Location: San Diego, California Responsibilities * Manage and develop relationships with clients. * Mentor less experienced ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is initiating a search for a Substation Engineer to support our Data Center Infrastructure Team in San Diego, CA. The following locations will also be considered: Kansas City, KS ...

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA · On-site

$104K - $133K/yr

This Opportunity WSP is initiating a search for a Substation Engineer to support our Data Center Infrastructure Team in San Diego, CA. The following locations will also be considered: Kansas City, KS ...

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Showing results 1-20

Substation Engineer information

See California salary details

$61.7K

$112.1K

$147.5K

How much do substation engineer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 30, 2026, the average yearly pay for substation engineer in California is $112,139.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $97,200.00 and $123,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What does a substation engineer do?

Substation engineers create design plans for power substations and collaborate with the project team and other stakeholders to finalize schematics. As a substation engineer, your job duties include generating design drawings and documents, determining the appropriate size and type of cables and conduits for each substation, facilitating tasks using engineering application software, and coordinating efforts with team members. The qualifications for a career as a substation engineer are a bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering, several years of experience in electrical engineering jobs, and excellent problem-solving skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a substation engineer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Substation Engineer, you need a solid background in electrical engineering principles, power systems, and a relevant engineering degree, often with a Professional Engineer (PE) license. Familiarity with software like AutoCAD, ETAP, and SCADA systems, as well as knowledge of national electrical codes and safety standards, is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help engineers manage complex projects and collaborate with multidisciplinary teams. These competencies ensure safe, reliable, and efficient design, operation, and maintenance of electrical substations critical to power delivery.

What are some common challenges faced by substation engineers in coordinating with multiple project stakeholders?

Substation Engineers often collaborate with project managers, utility companies, contractors, and regulatory bodies. A frequent challenge is ensuring clear communication and alignment among all stakeholders, especially when project timelines or design specifications change. Managing documentation, adhering to safety standards, and addressing unforeseen technical issues require effective coordination. Building strong relationships and using project management tools can help Substation Engineers navigate these complexities and keep projects on track.

What is the difference between Substation Engineer vs Power Systems Engineer?

AspectSubstation EngineerPower Systems Engineer
CertificationsPE license, IEEE certificationsPE license, IEEE certifications
Work EnvironmentDesign, construction, and maintenance of substationsPower system analysis, planning, and optimization
Industry UsageElectric utilities, transmission companiesUtilities, consulting firms, manufacturers
Common Search IntentDesign and operation of substationsPower system analysis and planning

Substation Engineers focus on the design, construction, and maintenance of electrical substations, ensuring reliable power delivery. Power Systems Engineers work on analyzing and optimizing entire electrical networks, often involving system-wide planning. While both roles require similar credentials and work within the electric utility industry, their specific responsibilities differ, with Substation Engineers concentrating on physical infrastructure and Power Systems Engineers on system performance and analysis.

How much does a substation engineer make?

A substation 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, often with opportunities for overtime and project bonuses.

How much money do substation engineers make?

Substation 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 can earn higher salaries, especially in regions with high demand for electrical infrastructure expertise.

What are the most commonly searched types of Substation Engineer jobs in California?

The most popular types of Substation Engineer jobs in California are:

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

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

What cities in California are hiring for Substation Engineer jobs?

Cities in California with the most Substation Engineer job openings:

Infographic showing various Substation Engineer job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 87% Full Time, 8% Part Time, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 5% Hybrid, and 10% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $112,139 per year, or $53.9 per hour.

Substation Engineer

San Diego, CA • On-site, Remote

SuperbTech
Recruiting and Staffing Services • 11 - 50 employees

$95K - $140K/yr

Full-time

Posted 14 days ago


Job description

Substation Engineer

Employment Type: Direct Hire
Work Arrangement: Remote/Hybrid, to be confirmed
Salary: $95,000–$140,000 annually, depending on experience
Project Focus: Electric Utility / Substation Engineering

Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Substation Engineer to support the engineering and design of electric utility substation projects. This position will contribute to technically complex power delivery projects while collaborating with multidisciplinary engineering and project teams.
The ideal candidate will have hands-on substation engineering experience, a strong understanding of utility standards and design practices, and either hold a Professional Engineer license or be positioned to obtain one within the required timeframe.

Responsibilities
  • Support the engineering and design of electrical substation projects.
  • Prepare and review engineering drawings, calculations, specifications, and technical documentation.
  • Support substation physical design, equipment layouts, grounding, protection and control, and related engineering activities.
  • Coordinate engineering deliverables with designers, drafters, project managers, and other technical disciplines.
  • Review designs for compliance with applicable engineering standards, codes, utility requirements, and project specifications.
  • Provide technical support throughout design, construction, testing, and implementation.
  • Participate in design reviews and quality assurance/quality control activities.
  • Identify and resolve technical and constructability issues.
  • Support multiple projects while maintaining quality, accuracy, and project schedules.
  • Collaborate effectively with clients, project stakeholders, and multidisciplinary engineering teams.

Qualifications
  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a closely related engineering discipline.
  • Professional experience in substation engineering, electric utility engineering, or power delivery.
  • Strong understanding of substation equipment, design principles, engineering standards, and utility requirements.
  • Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred.
  • Candidates who do not currently hold a PE must be able to obtain their PE license within one year of starting employment.
  • EIT certification strongly preferred for candidates progressing toward PE licensure.
  • Experience working on utility substation projects is highly desirable.
  • Strong analytical, technical documentation, problem-solving, and communication skills.
  • Ability to work independently in a remote environment while collaborating effectively with engineering and project teams.
 
Preferred Experience
  • Substation physical design.
  • Protection and control engineering.
  • Grounding studies and design.
  • Electrical calculations and equipment specifications.
  • Medium- and high-voltage substation projects.
  • Utility engineering standards and design requirements.
  • Engineering consulting experience.
 
Education:Employment Type: FULL_TIME