Substation Engineer Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

Requisition ID: 178946
Job Level: Senior Level
Home District/Group: Kiewit Power Engineering
Department: Design Engineering
Market: Power
Employment Type: Full Time
Position Overview
We are seeking an experienced Lead Substation Engineer to support and guide the design of high voltage substation projects across the country. This role involves technical leadership, coordination, and hands on engineering for 12 kV to 500 kV substation, transmission, and distribution projects in both traditional engineering design and EPC environments. As a Lead Substation Engineer, you will oversee the development of substation physical and/or protection & control designs from early conceptual stages through detailed engineering and construction support. You'll work closely with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure that project deliverables meet technical, quality, and schedule expectations.
District Overview
Kiewit Power Delivery. is a full-service engineering and construction solutions provider operating across North America. Our experience and expertise span all aspects of the transmission and distribution market from high voltage overhead and underground transmission to distribution and automation design and construction capabilities. With these broad capabilities, we operate in the electric utility, renewable energy, industrial, and oil & gas markets. As part of Kiewit, we are integrated with 135 years of construction and engineering experience that provides holistic solutions, differentiating our team from the rest of the industry.
Our rapidly growing power delivery business has opened new locations across North America to strengthen our market presence while executing work within the communities that we live. We have invested in industry-leading design technology and platforms while also expanding our construction equipment fleet with the most advanced, and safest equipment on the market. We are committed to building upon our history as one of the safest companies to work for by equipping our craft with the best tooling and safety programs available.
We are an innovative team that prides itself on excellence through continuous improvement and an unwavering commitment to deliver for our clients. Our staff collaborates with Kiewit's vast internal network of resources that span heavy civil and infrastructure, vertical and commercial buildings, mining, as well our oil and gas and power generation markets, to drive safe and cost-effective solutions that achieve client expectations and further Kiewit's legacy of excellence.
Location
This position is based out of our office in Portland, OR or Salt Lake City, UT.
Responsibilities
• Lead the engineering and design of greenfield and brownfield substations, including equipment layout, bus configurations, grounding, lightning protection, and control building arrangements.
• Oversee development of key design documents such as:
o One line and three line diagrams
o General arrangement drawings
o Equipment specifications and bills of material
o Grounding and lightning protection studies
o Conduct, cable, and raceway plans
• Protection & control schematics and wiring diagrams (if applicable to role focus)
• Coordinate with civil, structural, transmission, and protection teams to ensure integrated and constructible designs.
• Review and approve engineering deliverables for accuracy, compliance, and constructability.
• Support project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation for the substation engineering team.
• Provide technical guidance during procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning.
• Identify project risks and work with project managers and discipline leads to development mitigation strategies.
• Mentor and develop junior engineers and designers.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
• 8-10 years of experience in high voltage substation design (utility, EPC, or consulting environment).
• Familiarity with industry standards such as IEEE, NESC, and utility specific requirements.
• Experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead.
• Proficiency with substation design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation, CDEGS, or equivalent).
• Strong communication and coordination skills.
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Working Conditions
Other Requirements:

• Regular, reliable attendance
• Work productively and meet deadlines timely
• Communicate and interact effectively and professionally with supervisors, employees, and others individually or in a team environment.
• Perform work safely and effectively. Understand and follow oral and written instructions, including warning signs, equipment use, and other policies.
• Work during normal operating hours to organize and complete work within given deadlines. Work overtime and weekends as required.
• May work at various different locations and conditions may vary.

We offer our fulltime staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that's among the best in our industry, including top-tier medical, dental and vision plans covering eligible employees and dependents, voluntary wellness and employee assistance programs, life insurance, disability, retirement plans with matching, and generous paid time off.
Equal Opportunity Employer, including disability and protected veteran status.
There's no limit to what you'll do at Kiewit. Whether you're building or supporting projects that provide communities with dependable energy, safe transportation, clean water, or access to health care, the work you do will positively impact people's lives for generations to come.
Here you'll have endless opportunities to expand your expertise through on-the-job experience and internal and external training and development opportunities.
We offer our full-time staff employees a comprehensive benefits package that's among the best in our industry. From top-tier health care programs to employee assistance programs and retirement planning, we aim to provide you with the tools you need to be successful in the areas of life that matter most to you.
Kiewit is an equal-opportunity employer, and we believe a diverse workforce is vital to the success of our business. We continue our efforts to attract, develop and retain employees from all backgrounds who are passionate about our industry.
We are committed to veteran and military hiring and will consider relevant military experience as equivalent to qualification requirements.