Senior Substation Project Engineer

Job-ID: 96797Category: EngineeringLocation: San Diego, CA, United StatesPosted: 2026-10-02WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our San Diego, CA office. Be involved in projects with our Power Delivery Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges. As a key contributor, you will play a significant role in supporting complex substation design projects, managing project execution, and mentoring junior staff. This position offers the opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and make a significant impact on our team and our projects. A hybrid or in-office work setup is preferred to foster collaboration and mentorship, but remote work will be considered for candidates with proven experience.This OpportunityProvides high level technical assistance and guidance for multi-site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include the research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems in a wide variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and Federal, State, and local government projects). Substantiates reports and documentation to advise on material, installations, design, component, and construction specifications. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.Your ImpactProvide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data relating to physical work site, blueprints, GIS data maps, substation components, equipment specifications for procurement package development and pricing, IFR/IRC detailed design and review processes, and IEEE, NESC, ANSI, NCEC, and NERC standards and regulations for design work. Coordinate, review and approve electrical infrastructure design plans for smaller and less-complex projects, ensuring data integrity and work is compliant with all applicable codes, ordinances, and regulations.Apply high-level electrical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements for various infrastructure project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, construction, and operation.Perform professional and more complex electrical engineering work relating to the design of single line, three line, wiring diagrams, general arrangement, substation layout and bus arrangement, grounding grid design and lightning protection in conformance with applicable rules, standards, and construction or operating permits.Plan and incorporate future-ready techniques, concept development, operating strategies, and various design requirements with equipment sizing and cabling, AC/DC panel design, and conduit and trenching design strategies that account for the safety and functionality of end-users, systems, and infrastructure.Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding touch and step potentials, short circuit study, protective device coordination, one-line diagram development, protective relaying, and substation switchyard layouts.Develop and review plans, specifications, and cost estimates, construction safety and phasing plans, and updating electrical infrastructure layout plans that require coordination with owners, other disciplines, sub-consultants, and clients.Involved from project inception to completion in the management of design and construction of electrical infrastructure projects, including rehabilitation and reconstruction, site development, grading, drainage, equipment layout, elevations, specifications, building materials, phasing, and construction safety plans.Oversee and monitor cross-functional teams of engineers, planners, scientific, and construction professionals to execute project work on mid-level and/or multiple concurrent projects, including budgets, tracking hours and expenses, task completion, cost and quantities of materials/equipment/labor, technical calculations, permit applications, construction, compliance documentation, and regulatory and technical analysis memos.Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, cross-sections, and other illustrations for the interpretation or presentation of more complex data, findings, or analyses.Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that explain research, findings, concepts, and recommendations to improve, prevent, control, restore, or address design, and/or construction issues or opportunities.Maintain a high level of quality and responsiveness to client requirements in alignment with Pickett’s standards.Analyze, evaluate, and interpret data obtained during field investigations, offering input with developing action plans for moderate- to high-level risk mitigation activities.Prepare and implement site Health and Safety Plans (HASPs).Interact with regulatory agencies, subcontractors, and clients in a confident and professional mannerCollaborate with professionals, other engineers, planners, and infrastructure authorities on Federal, State, regional, and locally funded improvement and development projects, as well as proposal and business development opportunities.Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques and practices.Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.Who You AreRequired QualificationsBachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering.7 to 10 years of relevant post education experience as an electrical engineer providing design deliverables for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale.Engineer license required.Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, process, design/build, and the application to permitting and project work-related issues.Extensive knowledge of infrastructure design.Demonstrates competence and comprehensive knowledge concerning adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, SCADA, and telecom.Experience with electrical infrastructure planning, design, and construction management; including active involvement in a variety of rehabilitation, new design, and construction projects.Well-defined specific knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of electrical engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.Ability to plan and conduct inspections and investigations on various aspects of the construction and design of facilities or structures, applying applicable regulations and policiesHighly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., CADD, Aspen, CAPE, ETAP, WIN IGS, Inventor, AutoCADD electrical), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.Preferred Qualifications:Master’s Degree in Engineering.10+ years of experience in substation design.Experience in 230kV through 765kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.Experience managing people on a multi-disciplinary project team.Experience with MicroStation (V8 or newer), AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or Inventor.WSP Benefits:WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings.Compensation:Expected Salary: $115,200 - $195,800WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of California, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law.#LI-JJ2About the companyAbout WSPWSP USA is the U.S. operating company of WSP, one of the world's leading engineering and professional services firms. Dedicated to serving local communities, we are engineers, planners, technical experts, strategic advisors and construction management professionals. WSP USA designs lasting solutions in the buildings, transportation, energy, water and environment markets. With more than 15,000 employees in over 300 offices across the U.S., we partner with our clients to help communities prosper.WSP provides a flexible and agile workplace model while meeting client needs. Employees are also afforded a comprehensive suite of benefits including medical, dental, vision, disability, life, and retirement savings focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career.At WSP, we want to give our employees the challenges they seek to grow their careers and knowledge base. Your daily contributions to your team will be essential in meeting client objectives, goals and challenges. Are you ready to get started?WSP USA (and all of its U.S. companies) is an Equal Opportunity Employer Race/Age/Color/Religion/Sex/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/National Origin/Disability or Protected Veteran Status.The selected candidate must be authorized to work in the United States.NOTICE TO THIRD PARTY AGENCIES:WSP does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to WSP in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where WSP has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand. Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of WSP and WSP will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.