Job Description Summary
The Electrical Substation Engineer is responsible for detailed technical execution of high-voltage substation design projects and delivering quality engineering solutions to customers. This role supports all technical aspects of substation physical/primary design and may review and seal completed engineering documents as the responsible engineer.
Roles and Responsibilities
The Lead Electrical Substation Engineer is responsible for all aspects of HV/EHV substation design including:
•Directly responsible to develop the HV/EHV power single line diagram and the substation outdoor physical design — the general substation arrangement and layout, plan and elevation drawings, and layouts for high voltage bus, cable, high voltage equipment, conduit, cable, and wiring, grounding, and control buildings. Must oversee if not self-perform related studies and calculations as well as development of the detailed bills of material.
•Write high voltage equipment specifications and issue material purchase request forms, and vendor quotation evaluations for substation equipment including high voltage circuit breakers, switchgear, disconnects, high voltage power transformers, capacitors, and high voltage cable. Can develop engineering scope of work documents with deliverables and schedule for subcontracted design work and oversee the successful completion of the work.
•Accountable for the quality of self and team's deliverables while following quality procedures.
•Direct the efforts of engineers & designers and coordinate with sourcing and the project team on technical matters to meet project specifications, cost control, and schedule objectives.
•Effectively interface with internal and external team members such as principal engineers, Protection and Control Engineers, Civil Structural Engineers, Electrical Physical Designers, Draftsmen, Project Managers, and support organizations.
•Support the development of engineering schedules, track, and monitor deliverables to meet "On time Delivery" and "Say Do Ratio" KPIs. The Lead Substation Engineer will lead Gate and Design Reviews.
•Support proposals including writing and/or reviewing technical specifications, estimating design man-hours and materials, supporting sourcing for vendor quotations, directing designers and draftsmen on drawing requirements, and the development of clarifications and exceptions as well as technical responses.
Required Qualifications
•Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university or college.
•Minimum of 5-7 years of related experience in high voltage (HV) and extra-high voltage (EHV) substation physical design and layout.
•Direct professional experience gained within engineering design firms.
•Active Professional Engineering License (P.Eng. in Ontario or OIQ in Quebec) with the authorization and willingness to serve as the responsible engineer for sealing documents.
•Hands-on ability to perform design calculations, supervise drafters, and issue "Issued for Construction" (IFC) drawings.
Eligibility Requirements
•Bilingual in English and French (intermediate-level proficiency in French).
•Ability and willingness to travel up to 20% of the time for factory or project site visits.
Desired Qualifications
•Demonstrated proficiency in AutoCAD; familiarity with 3D CAD or BIM software is considered an asset.
•Direct experience with HVDC and FACTS facilities is highly desirable for complex projects.
•Proficiency in designing both GIS and AIS substation configurations.
•Hands-on ability to perform and verify critical calculations, including busbar and conductor sizing, equipment selection (breakers, transformers, insulators), and grounding/lightning protection design.
•Knowledge of load flow, short-circuit calculations, and insulation coordination.
•Strong working knowledge of IEEE, ANSI, IEC, and CSA standards; capability to develop designs even when client specifications are incomplete.
•Focus on designing with field constructability and site safety in mind (distinct from performing the actual field testing/commissioning).
•Acting as the lead technical reviewer to resolve design conflicts and ensure the integrity of the engineering package.
•Demonstrated ability to work in a multidisciplinary team environment, coordinating directly with civil and secondary protection/control engineers.
Additional Information
Relocation Assistance Provided: Yes
This is a remote position.
