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Substation Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

Substation Physical Engineer

Knoxville, TN · On-site

$87K - $111K/yr

PDS 5 / Power Delivery Substation This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties. Disclaimer : Be cautious and only respond to emails from our "mesainc.com" domain. We ...

Locations PDS 8 / Power Delivery Substation This position is not eligible for recruiting or sourcing by outside parties. Disclaimer: Be cautious and only respond to emails from our "mesainc.com ...

Showing results 41-60

Substation information

See Tennessee salary details

$30.9K

$94.9K

$138.4K

How much do substation jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for substation in Tennessee is $94,940.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $64,000.00 and $123,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a substation?

Substation jobs refer to a range of roles focused on the construction, maintenance, and operation of electrical substations, which are key facilities in the power transmission and distribution network. These positions can include substation technicians, engineers, operators, and maintenance personnel. Their primary responsibilities involve monitoring equipment, ensuring safe and reliable power flow, performing inspections and repairs, and responding to outages or emergencies. Substation jobs require strong technical skills, attention to safety protocols, and often some level of electrical certification or training.

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

To thrive as a Substation Technician, you need a solid background in electrical systems, high-voltage safety, and an associate degree or technical certification in electrical engineering or a related field. Familiarity with SCADA systems, protective relays, and industry-standard testing tools is typically required. Strong attention to detail, troubleshooting skills, and effective communication are valuable soft skills in this position. These skills and qualifications ensure the safe, reliable operation and maintenance of critical power infrastructure.

What are some common challenges faced by substation technicians and how can they be managed on the job?

Substation technicians often encounter challenges such as working in hazardous environments, managing high-voltage equipment, and responding to emergency outages. To manage these, technicians must adhere strictly to safety protocols, continuously update their technical knowledge, and collaborate closely with engineers and line workers. Effective communication and staying current with industry best practices can help prevent accidents and ensure smooth operations. Many organizations also provide ongoing training to help technicians advance and stay prepared for new technologies in the field.

What is the difference between Substation vs Power Plant Operator?

AspectSubstationPower Plant Operator
CertificationsElectrical certifications, technical trainingOperational licenses, technical training
Work EnvironmentElectrical substations, outdoor and indoorPower plants, control rooms, outdoor
Industry UsageElectric utility companies, transmissionPower generation facilities, utilities
Job FocusManaging electrical equipment, switching, maintenanceOperating and controlling power generation equipment

Substation workers focus on maintaining and operating electrical substations, ensuring reliable power transmission. Power plant operators manage the generation process at power plants. While both roles require technical skills and safety certifications, substations are part of the transmission network, whereas power plant operators work at generation sites. Understanding these differences helps job seekers find the right role in the energy sector.

What do you need to work on substations?

To work on substations, individuals typically need a high school diploma or equivalent, along with specialized training in electrical systems. Relevant certifications such as OSHA safety training and an electrician's license are often required, and knowledge of electrical theory, tools, and safety procedures is essential.

What does a substation worker do?

A substation worker maintains and operates electrical substations, ensuring the safe and reliable distribution of electricity. They perform tasks such as inspecting equipment, troubleshooting faults, and performing repairs, often working with tools like test equipment and following safety protocols. Certification and knowledge of electrical systems are typically required for this role.

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

The most popular types of Substation jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Substation jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Substation job openings:

Infographic showing various Substation job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 94% Full Time, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 78% In-person, 11% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $94,940 per year, or $45.6 per hour.

Substation Engineer 3 - Grid

Sargent & Lundy

Chattanooga, TN • Hybrid

$74K - $113K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 20 days ago


Sargent & Lundy rating

8.4

Company rating: 8.4 out of 10

Based on 10 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

121st of 453 rated engineering


Job 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 position is based on a hybrid work schedule and will require in-office work 3 days per week.


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 of 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 of 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.

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.

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

$74,353 - $113,595
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.

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

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

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

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