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Job Title: Sr. Substation Engineer

Job Description

The Sr. Substation Engineer serves as the technical lead for high‑voltage substation projects, primarily at 138 kV and 345 kV, ensuring that designs are technically sound, constructible, and aligned with company standards. This role defines and develops project scope, supports cost and schedule inputs, and coordinates closely with the Engineer of Record, construction teams, and cross‑functional stakeholders from project concept through construction, commissioning, and energization. The engineer provides leadership in substation design, reviews and improves engineering standards, and supports large capital projects within a utility or EPC environment while operating with a high level of ownership, accountability, and initiative.

Responsibilities

• Define and develop substation project scope, including major equipment, configurations, and design basis for high‑voltage infrastructure at 138 kV and 345 kV.
• Provide technical leadership for substation projects, acting as the primary technical point of contact throughout project execution.
• Support development of project cost estimates and schedule inputs by providing accurate technical information and constructability feedback.
• Coordinate with the Engineer of Record to guide engineering design and ensure alignment with defined scope, company standards, and industry practices.
• Review engineering deliverables for technical accuracy, constructability, and compliance with internal standards and applicable codes.
• Support development and refinement of substation configurations, grounding and physical layouts, and protection and control integration in collaboration with subject matter experts.
• Coordinate closely with the Project Manager to ensure engineering deliverables align with the project schedule and that scope changes are identified, assessed, and communicated early.
• Support construction execution by responding to RFIs, resolving technical issues, and coordinating with field teams and the Construction Manager.
• Maintain visibility into engineering progress, identify design risks, and proactively address constructability concerns.
• Lead standards review and continuous improvement efforts, incorporating lessons learned into design practices and engineering governance.
• Support project administration activities, including alignment with the work breakdown structure (WBS), providing technical input for purchase requisitions, and coordinating with equipment vendors.
• Collaborate with cross‑functional teams, including Transmission Line Engineers, Project Controls, Construction, Protection and Control, and other technical SMEs.
• Coordinate and manage external consultants, including the Engineer of Record and owner’s engineering teams, to ensure high‑quality and timely deliverables.
• Review and interpret substation one‑line diagrams, protection and control drawings, and physical layout drawings and specifications.
• Use substation physical design tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar platforms to support and review designs.
• Review equipment specifications for breakers, transformers, and other major station equipment to ensure compliance with project requirements and standards.
• Support commissioning, energization, and turnover activities by providing technical guidance and resolving issues as they arise.
• Support large capital projects and ensure alignment with utility standards, engineering governance, and reliability standards.
• Provide technical support for field technicians related to maintenance and restoration activities when needed.
• Supervise or support maintenance and construction projects as required, ensuring safe, reliable, and efficient execution.
• Identify and support implementation of cost and schedule optimization opportunities during design and execution phases.
• Engage with vendors and support equipment procurement processes, including technical bid evaluations, when required.
• Operate as a mature self‑starter, managing multiple priorities, making sound decisions, and demonstrating strong ownership and accountability.
• Communicate clearly and professionally with internal and external stakeholders at various levels, ensuring alignment and effective coordination.
• Provide leadership within a dynamic, cross‑functional environment, fostering successful teamwork across engineering, construction, and support functions.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering from an ABET‑accredited institution, preferably in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology.
• Minimum 7+ years of experience in substation engineering or project execution within electric utilities or EPC firms; 10+ years industry‑specific experience preferred.
• EIT/FE certification (Engineer in Training or Fundamentals of Engineering Exam) required.
• Strong understanding of high‑voltage substation design, including physical layouts, equipment selection, grounding systems, and protection and control integration.
• Demonstrated experience supporting design reviews, value engineering, and constructability assessments for substation projects.
• Experience supporting development of project scope, schedule, and cost inputs for small‑ to mid‑scale substation projects or serving as a project lead engineer.
• Familiarity with applicable industry standards and practices such as IEEE, NESC, NEC, ANSI, and relevant reliability standards.
• Experience coordinating and managing external consultants, including Engineer of Record and owner’s engineering teams.
• Ability to review and interpret substation one‑lines, protection and control drawings, and physical layout drawings and specifications.
• Experience with substation physical design tools such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar platforms.
• Familiarity with protection and control systems design, relay schemes, and integration with SCADA systems.
• Experience reviewing specifications for breakers, transformers, and other major station equipment.
• Experience supporting commissioning, energization, and turnover activities for substation projects.
• Experience supporting large capital projects and working within utility environments, including coordination with environmental, permitting, operations, and stakeholder groups.
• Familiarity with CIP or utility compliance environments and NERC or similar reliability standards.
• Strong technical, analytical, and problem‑solving skills with the ability to analyze complex data and adapt to changing technologies and situations.
• Excellent organizational and communication skills, both oral and written, with the ability to support multiple projects and workstreams simultaneously.
• Demonstrated ability to operate with a high level of ownership, accountability, initiative, and extreme ownership mindset.
• Proven leadership and management experience, including the ability to guide and develop teams and lead cross‑functional efforts.
• Proficiency with Microsoft 365 applications, including Word, Excel, Teams, and related tools.
• Strong understanding of electric power systems, including high‑voltage transmission, operational technologies, and grid protocols within ERCOT or similar systems.
• Familiarity with relevant regulations, operating protocols, and industry standards for electric utility operations.
• Ability to manage multiple priorities, make sound decisions, and maintain a professional, service‑oriented attitude.
• Valid Texas driver’s license and good driving record.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or Electrical Engineering Technology from an ABET‑accredited curriculum is strongly preferred.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license is highly desirable.
• Experience working within ERCOT or similar utility markets.
• Experience identifying and implementing cost and schedule optimization opportunities during design and execution.
• Familiarity with vendor engagement and equipment procurement processes, including technical bid evaluations.
• Exposure to digital project delivery tools such as ProjectWise or similar platforms.
• Experience with substation maintenance, transmission, construction management, and project management.
• Experience troubleshooting protection and control systems and supporting reliability and compliance initiatives.
• Skilled at providing leadership within a highly dynamic and nimble organization based on successful cross‑functional teaming.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills to effectively interact with internal and external stakeholders at various levels.
• Personally displays and encourages a culture of extreme ownership, accountability, and continuous improvement.
• Service‑oriented mindset with professional conduct and attitude.
• Interest in ongoing professional development and continuous learning within power systems and utility engineering.

Work Environment

The role combines office and outdoor work environments, supporting both engineering design activities and field execution. The engineer works in typical office conditions when performing design reviews, coordination, and digital project delivery, using tools such as Microsoft 365, AutoCAD, MicroStation, and other engineering platforms. The position may require site visits to substations, where the engineer provides technical support to field technicians for maintenance and restoration activities and may supervise maintenance and construction projects. Work is performed within a utility or EPC context, often on large capital projects, in coordination with environmental, permitting, operations, and stakeholder groups. The organization offers hybrid work options for many roles, supporting work/life balance and flexibility. Benefits include a 401(k) plan with a substantial employer contribution, highly competitive compensation, generous paid time off ranging from five to eight weeks based on experience, eleven holidays per year, and medical, dental, and vision benefits starting on day one with low employee premiums. Additional perks include an education assistance program, free covered employee parking at the Dallas headquarters, and a free specialty coffee bar. The culture emphasizes creativity, excellence, and people, with a strong commitment to work/life balance, ongoing professional development opportunities, and delivering an exceptional employee experience

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Dallas, TX.

The pay range for this position is $140000.00 - $160000.00/yr.

Company Highlights For 90 years, we have nurtured creative ideas and turned them into successful realities using three core strategic pillars – creativity, excellence, and people. 401K – 12% employer contribution with no vesting period (6% Match and 6% non-matching contribution) Highly competitive compensation Hybrid work options available for most roles Five to eight weeks of PTO annually based on years of experience; eleven additional holidays per calendar year All Medical/Dental/Vision benefits start day one with the company; low employee premiums Education Assistance Program Free covered employee parking for Dallas HQ based employees Free specialty coffee bar in the Dallas HQ Commitment to the following ideals: Work/Life Balance, ongoing professional development opportunities, an exceptional employee experience Hunt is committed to a diverse and inclusive workplace. Hunt is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of race, national origin, gender, gender identity, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, disability, age, or other legally protected statu

This is a fully onsite position in Dallas,TX.

This position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 2026.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.

The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.

If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.

San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.

Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.

Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.