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Substation Operator Jobs in Portland, OR (NOW HIRING)

WSP

Structural Engineer

Lake Oswego, OR · Hybrid

Be involved in projects with our Pacific Civil/Structural Substation team and be a part of a ... S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms.

WSP

Structural Engineer

Lake Oswego, OR · On-site

Be involved in projects with our Pacific Civil/Structural Substation team and be a part of a ... S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms.

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Showing results 21-40

All JobsSubstation Operator JobsSubstation Operator Jobs in Portland, OR

Substation Operator information

See Portland, OR salary details

$5

$51

$61

How much do substation operator jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for substation operator in Portland, OR is $51.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $47.93 and $54.42 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Substation Operator vs Power Plant Operator?

AspectSubstation OperatorPower Plant Operator
CertificationsTypically requires a high school diploma and technical training; may need certifications in electrical safetyRequires a high school diploma; technical training or certifications in power plant operations are common
Work EnvironmentWorks in electrical substations, outdoors or in control roomsWorks inside power plants, control rooms, or outdoor facilities
Industry UsageUsed in electrical utility companies managing transmission infrastructureEmployed in power generation facilities producing electricity

While both roles involve electrical systems and safety protocols, Substation Operators focus on managing electrical substations and transmission equipment, whereas Power Plant Operators oversee the generation process within power plants. Understanding these differences helps in choosing the right career path or job search focus.

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

To thrive as a Substation Operator, you need a solid understanding of electrical systems, safety protocols, and typically a high school diploma or technical certification in electrical technology. Familiarity with SCADA systems, circuit breakers, transformers, and compliance with OSHA safety standards is essential. Attention to detail, strong problem-solving abilities, and effective communication are crucial soft skills in this role. These skills and qualities ensure the safe, reliable, and efficient operation of substations, minimizing risks and maintaining uninterrupted power supply.

What are some common challenges a substation operator faces during shift work and how can they be managed?

Substation Operators often work in rotating shifts, including nights and weekends, which can disrupt sleep patterns and personal routines. Managing these challenges involves developing strong time-management skills, maintaining a consistent sleep schedule, and practicing effective communication with team members to ensure seamless handovers. Additionally, operators must stay vigilant during extended shifts to monitor equipment and respond to emergencies promptly. Many employers offer training and support resources to help staff adapt to shift work and maintain safety standards.

What is a substation operator?

Substation operators are skilled professionals responsible for monitoring, controlling, and maintaining electrical substations, which are key points in the power distribution network. They ensure the safe and efficient operation of equipment that regulates voltage and directs electricity flow from power plants to homes and businesses. Their duties include inspecting equipment, monitoring systems for faults, responding to emergencies, and coordinating with other utility workers to maintain uninterrupted power supply. Substation operators play a crucial role in ensuring the reliability and safety of the electrical grid.

What does a substation operator do?

As a substation operator, it is your job to run and manage an electrical substation so that customers can safely use electricity. Your job duties are to inspect, maintain, and monitor all equipment, including power converters, circuit breakers, and voltage transformers. This career requires at least some work experience in an electrical substation. Most employers offer on-the-job training. Another option is to earn an associate degree in a related field, such as power plant technology, from a community or technical college. Additional qualifications are strong analytical, communication, and problem-solving skills.

More about Substation Operator jobs
What are popular job titles related to Substation Operator jobs in Portland, OR? For Substation Operator jobs in Portland, OR, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Substation Operator jobs in Portland, OR look for? The top searched job categories for Substation Operator jobs in Portland, OR are:
What cities near Portland, OR are hiring for Substation Operator jobs? Cities near Portland, OR with the most Substation Operator job openings:
Substation Operator jobs near you
Infographic showing various Substation Operator job openings in Portland, OR as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 50% Full Time, 48% Part Time, 1% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $106,573 per year, or $51.2 per hour.

Senior Electrical Engineer - Substation

Black & Veatch

Tualatin, OR

$112K - $145K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 16 days ago

Black & Veatch rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 19 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

54th of 446 rated engineering

Job description

Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success.

As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.

Company : Black & Veatch Corporation

Req Id : 115008

Opportunity Type : Staff

Relocation eligible : Yes

Full time/Part time : Full-Time

Project Only Hire : No

Visa Sponsorship Available: No

Why Black & Veatch?

Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity's biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation, 401k match and benefits that start day one.

Our hybrid environment allows you to balance your work and personal life. At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use.

The Opportunity

As a Senior Electrical Engineer, you may have the opportunity to:

  •  Function as a Technical Specialist or Project Lead Role, providing project coordination, guidance and expertise on assigned substation projects.
  •  Support a variety of substation projects ranging up to 765kV in engineering detailed design and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC).
  •  Develop protection and control design deliverables including protective relays, panel arrangements, one line/single line diagrams, three line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, relay panel wiring and   equipment wiring within complex substation designs.
  •  Develop physical design deliverables including yard layout plans, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, and auxiliary AC/DC power systems within complex substation  designs.
  •  Prepare calculations and reports for engineering studies (AC/DC load, grounding, lightning).
  •  Perform or oversee quality review of electrical substation design packages.
  •  Prepare electrical equipment specifications and Bills of Materials (BOM) for procurement and construction.
  •  Communicate and coordinate project activities with clients, vendors, subcontractors and other stakeholders.
  •  Coordinate design activities with other disciplines.
  •  Provide guidance and mentorship to less experienced team members.
  •  Present proposals, designs and project activities.
  •  Potential travel opportunities to client and vendor offices and/or project sites for design reviews, construction coordination and field verification.
  •  Manage and prepare design budgets and schedules.
  •  Provide support to business development or pursuit activities.

#LI-DM2

The Team

Black & Veatch is Ranked #4 Overall in Power by Engineering News-Record (2025). Our Technology, Commercial & Industrial Team has specialized capabilities focused on the latest needs for clients in a fast-growth technology-led arena of advanced manufacturing, and generative AI computing including gigafactories, bio/ag tech, data centers and distributed infrastructure. By joining our market sector, you will have the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge technology and work with a team that moves quickly with decisions and expectations.  

Our specialized team provides complete engineering, procurement, and construction new asset and operating asset services in the following areas: 

  • Substations 
  • Renewables Integration 
  • HVDC/FACTS/STATCOM  
  • Datacenters Integration
  • BESS Integration
Key Responsibilities
  • Proactively provides guidance and direction on department design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. May own, maintain, update, or develop engineering standards and guides. Provide technical guidance to others regarding projects or disciplines.  
  • Applies knowledge and ensures compliance with B&V quality program. Establishes related processes, and promotes a culture that is conducive to quality. Supports continuous improvement, change management and risk management efforts.
  • Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for multiple or mega projects.  Performs complex research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. Oversees collection, assimilation, and management of data for engineering work.  
  • Prepares complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles.  Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Develops and applies advanced engineering solutions to complex problems. Responsible for ensuring project teams delegate appropriate tasks to lower level team members to develop depth of project execution staff.  Reviews lower level engineering work or assignments. Is responsible for one or more of the following: leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for projects. Establishes work plan to be applied to a given project.
  • Actively coordinates with all other internal/external team members on complex projects. Typically responsible for defining project schedules for single discipline or may have responsibility for multiple disciplines.
  • Responsible for determining identification of key client interests and drivers on projects. Communicates client interests and drivers to project team members and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work on complex projects.
  • Works to identify future client needs and how to better position B&V for the future.    May offer other services to the client. Typically provides support to business development or pursuit activities.
  • Serves as the technical specialist in a broad area of specialization, or in a narrow but specialized field. Develops and applies advanced engineering concepts and approaches to unique engineering problems. Typically supports multiple projects on very complex technical challenges. Typical roles include being recognized as an industry expert, participating in professional societies by presenting papers, acting as a section lead for a large or complex specialty area, an engineering consultant for larger scale projects. May support the chief engineers or top engineering management, and is accountable for discipline-specific engineering processes. 
  • Typically oversees performance management, career planning, recognition, learning and development, and corrective actions. May participate in compensation management, succession planning, disciplinary actions, employee relations and workforce planning.   Actively mentors lower level and mid level professionals and identifies successors to train in the specifics of their role.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Project lead and technical specialist experience overseeing utility substation clients and projects
  • QA/QC Review - Quality Assurance/Quality Checks
  • High voltage (HV) substation design experience - Physical and/or Protection & Controls
  • Consulting experience
  • Experience coordinating and communicating with Clients, Multidisciplinary Leads and Project Managers Professional Engineer (PE) License
  • Proficient with Bluebeam Revu and Microsoft Office Programs (such as Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)
Minimum Qualifications
Requires a bachelor's degree in engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing. Minimum of 11 years related work experience. All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Work Environment/Physical Demands

Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.

Salary Plan
ENG: Engineering
Job Grade
017

Black & Veatch endeavors to make www.bv.com/careers accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process because of a disability, please contact the Employee Relations Department at +1-913-359-1622 or via our accommodations request form. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only; you may not use this contact information to inquire about the status of applications. General inquiries about the status of applications will not be returned.

Black & Veatch is committed to being an employer of choice by creating a valuable work experience that keeps our people engaged, productive, safe and healthy.

Our comprehensive benefits portfolio is a key component of this commitment and offers an array of health care benefits including but not limited to medical, dental and vision insurances along with disability and a robust wellness program.

To support a healthy work-life balance, we offer flexible work schedules, paid vacation and holiday time, sick time, and dependent sick time.

A variety of additional benefits are available to our professionals, including a company-matched 401k plan, adoption reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, vendor discounts, an employment referral program, AD&D insurance, pre-taxed accounts, voluntary legal plan and the B&V Credit Union. Professionals may also be eligible for a performance-based bonus program.

We are proud to be a 100 percent ESOP-owned company. As employee-owners, our professionals are empowered to drive not only their personal growth, but the company's long-term achievements - and they share in the financial rewards of the success through stock ownership.

By valuing diverse voices and perspectives, we cultivate an authentically inclusive environment for professionals and are able to provide innovative and effective solutions for clients.

BVH, Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies, complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.

Notice to External Search Firms: Black & Veatch does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Black & Veatch Talent Acquisition engages with search firms directly for hiring needs.

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About Black & Veatch

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Company: Black & Veatch Family of Companies Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success. As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.

Industry

Civil engineering construction

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Overland Park, KS, US

Year founded

1915

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