Substation Engineer

Job Title: Substation Engineer Job Description
The Substation Engineer will serve as a senior electrical engineering lead, responsible for the end-to-end design and execution of electrical substation projects. This role functions as a technical expert and project leader, delivering safe, reliable, and cost-effective solutions while collaborating with multidisciplinary teams. The position offers a direct placement opportunity with the flexibility to work 100% remotely or from an office, and involves occasional, rare travel for project kick-off meetings or construction site support if needed.
Responsibilities

• Lead electrical substation engineering projects from kick-off through closeout, taking ownership of technical execution, budget, schedule, and quality.
• Develop comprehensive substation design packages, including layouts, one-line diagrams, schematics, protection and control systems, and technical specifications.
• Specify and select major electrical equipment such as transformers, breakers, switchgear, relays, and related components to meet project and client requirements.
• Perform and oversee power system studies, including load flow, short circuit analysis, protection coordination, and arc flash analysis.
• Coordinate closely with project managers, contractors, utilities, and regulatory agencies to ensure smooth project execution and compliance with applicable standards.
• Provide construction support by responding to requests for information (RFIs), reviewing vendor and contractor submittals, and participating in commissioning activities.
• Review the work of engineers and designers, provide technical guidance, and support the growth and development of the engineering team.
• Prepare, review, and seal engineering documents as required, ensuring accuracy, safety, and adherence to industry and regulatory standards.
• Act as a technical expert for substation projects, offering guidance on complex engineering issues and ensuring best practices are applied.
• Lead substation project efforts, directing design activities and coordinating contributions from various disciplines to deliver integrated solutions.
• Collaborate on bids and RFIs for new work, contributing technical input and helping to define project approaches and scope.
• Engage in client-facing activities, working with clients to define project scope, clarify requirements, and maintain strong professional relationships.
• Manage and coordinate the efforts of individuals assigned to projects, even without direct supervisory responsibility, to ensure timely and high-quality deliverables.
• Support SCADA integration, relay coordination, arc flash studies, and commissioning activities as part of comprehensive substation project delivery.

Essential Skills

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license preferred, with the ability to sign and stamp engineering work; Engineer-in-Training (EIT) certification required if PE has not yet been obtained.
• Approximately 12 or more years of experience in electrical substation design and engineering.
• Strong knowledge of high-voltage and medium-voltage substations, including protection and control systems, utility coordination, and power distribution.
• Demonstrated experience leading substation projects from initiation through completion as a technical expert and project lead.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD for developing substation layouts, one-line diagrams, schematics, and protection and control system drawings.
• Experience using ETAP or similar power system analysis software for load flow, short circuit, and related studies.
• Ability to prepare, review, and seal engineering documents in responsible charge, ensuring technical accuracy and compliance.
• Strong client-facing skills, with the ability to define scope, communicate technical concepts clearly, and build collaborative relationships.
• Proven ability to coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, project managers, contractors, utilities, and regulatory agencies.
• Capability to mentor and review the work of engineers and designers, supporting technical development and quality standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Background in SCADA integration, relay coordination, arc flash studies, and commissioning support is highly desirable.
• Experience managing substation projects as a project lead, directing design efforts and coordinating resources without formal supervisory authority.
• Ability to contribute to and collaborate on bids and RFIs for new work, including providing technical input for proposals.
• Comfort working in a highly visible, critical role where project performance and staffing decisions receive close attention.
• Commitment to ongoing professional development and staying current with industry standards, codes, and best practices.
• Strong organizational and time-management skills to balance multiple projects and deadlines.
• Effective written and verbal communication skills for documentation, client interactions, and coordination with internal and external stakeholders.

Work Environment
This role offers flexible work arrangements, with the option to work 100% remotely or from an office location when convenient. Travel is very rare, but there may be occasional trips for project kick-off meetings or to construction sites if issues arise that require on-site engineering support. The work environment emphasizes employee development, work-life balance, and collaboration within multidisciplinary teams. Engineers use tools such as AutoCAD and ETAP or similar power system analysis software to perform design and analysis work. The organization provides an attractive benefits package, including annual bonus opportunities, an employee ownership program, comprehensive medical, dental, and vision coverage, 401(k), paid time off, and professional development support. The culture focuses on innovative projects, including work with large, complex clients, and encourages technical excellence and shared ownership in project success.
Job Type & Location
This is a Permanent position based out of Troy, MI.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $130000.00 - $170000.00/yr.
Annual bonus opportunities. • Employee ownership program. • Comprehensive medical, dental, vision, 401(k), PTO, and professional development benefits. • Opportunity to work on innovative projects with Fortune 100 clients. • Flexible work arrangements and strong focus on employee development and work life balance.
Workplace Type
This is a fully remote position.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Aug 11, 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.


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