Substation Electrical Engineer

Lead Electrical Engineer

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for engineering? Do you love designing and implementing complex electrical systems? Are you looking for a company that is constantly trying to push the boundaries of what it means to offer a better construction solution process by using design/build? If the answer is, "Yes!" then we have an opportunity that will excite you. Who are we? We are ARCO, a Family of Construction Companies.

ARCO/Murray National is currently looking for a Lead Electrical Engineer to join our team based in Downers Grove, Illinois. The Electrical Engineer will be responsible for guiding the full electrical scope and leading the development of electrical system designs and power solutions in support of design/build projects that will include Entertainment, Agricultural, Multi-Family, Industrial, Commercial, and Mission Critical facilities.

We are dedicated to the well-being of our associates and are proud to be consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work. Our compensation and benefits package not only supports our associates and their families but benefits local communities and communities around the world.

• Industry-leading performance-based bonus program
• Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
• Traditional and Roth 401k
• Tuition reimbursement for associates
• Scholarship for associates' children up to $28,000 per child
• 1-month paid sabbatical after every five years of employment, plus $5,000 for travel
• 1-week paid volunteer leave each year
• 100% charitable match
• Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
• Paid parental leave

Typical base compensation for the Substation Electrical Engineer role is between $90,000 and $130,000. Candidates with extensive experience may exceed this range. In addition to base salary, the role is eligible to receive discretionary bonus compensation based on individual and company performance.

At ARCO, our first core value is to treat people fairly and do the right thing. We are committed to building and sustaining a culture that supports diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

From recruiting, training, and hiring practices to selecting our subcontractors, we understand that diversity of all those involved in the construction process enhances our ability to deliver the best solutions to our customers. We hire the best and the brightest from across the country – constructing a team of experts in architecture, design, engineering, project management, and business services.

A Day In The Life

• Develop, review and approve engineering deliverables including: single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, one-line drawings, bus arrangements, grounding systems, conduit/cable layouts, control house layouts, bus supports, equipment foundations.
• Perform electrical calculations and studies (e.g., short circuit/current interrupting, bus loading, conductor sizing, voltage drop, grounding/ground-grid analysis).
• Create or review specifications, data sheets, technical submittals for major substation equipment (transformers, switchgear, breakers, disconnects, bus duct, control/relay panels, cable tray).
• Coordinate with procurement to evaluate vendor submittals, ensure compliance with specification, respond to technical RFI's and clarifications.
• Interface with construction and commissioning teams: review contractor drawings, monitor field installation, support construction design changes, provide technical resolution of field issues and construction deviations.
• Ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards (IEEE, ANSI, NESC/NEC, applicable local utility/authority standards), and company QA/QC processes.
• Provide design support through construction & commissioning phases: attend factory acceptance tests (FATs), witness installation, support energization, assist in commissioning/verification.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams (civil/structural, protection & control, project management, site construction) to ensure coordinated design and execution.
• Support change-order review, cost estimating, constructability review, risk identification in the design scope.
• Mentor junior engineers/drafters (at more senior levels), provide quality reviews of drawings/calculations.

Necessary Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering (or related discipline) from an accredited institution.
• Minimum of 5-10 years of substation design / engineering experience (transmission or utility scale) OR comparable heavy-commercial construction related background.
• Strong working knowledge of substation design practices for high voltage equipment, bus systems, grounding, control/relay, station service, etc.
• Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, produce single-line, three-line, schematic, and layout drawings.
• Experience preparing technical specifications and vendor data review.
• Proficiency with design tools and software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation, ETAP, SKM, Mathcad, or other power-system calculation tools).
• Excellent written and verbal communication skills; ability to collaborate across design, procurement, and construction teams.
• Willingness to travel to project sites as required (e.g., 10-30%).
• Familiarity with engineering deliverables in a GC setting (i.e., design-build or EPC support) is a plus.

Make Your Move

We are proud to be one of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in America, celebrating over 30 years of experience as design-build experts. We have completed over 6,550 design-build projects nationwide. We ranked #6 on ENR's Design-Build Firms list and #29 on ENR's Top 400 Contractors list of 2025.

Most importantly, our clients like us, trust us and want to do business with us. We are looking for people with the same enthusiasm, passion, and respect for the hard work that brought us to where we are today. Are you a person that can make a difference at ARCO? If the answer is, "Yes!" we look forward to meeting you.

ARCO does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies without pre-approval from ARCO's Human Resource team. Pre-approval is required before any external candidate can be submitted. ARCO will not be responsible for fees related to unsolicited resumes and for candidates who are sent directly to our hiring managers. Agencies must have a fully executed vendor agreement in place as well as written approval to submit candidates from an ARCO TA Manager for a specific position before submitting candidates.

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