Substation Design Engineer

Job Title

Join a fast-growing, nationally recognized firm working on impactful grid modernization and renewable energy projects.

About Our Client

A rapidly growing, privately owned engineering and consulting firm with more than 2,000 employees nationwide, specializing in land development, infrastructure, and energy projects. The company has built a strong reputation for supporting grid modernization, renewable energy, transmission, distribution, and substation projects while maintaining a collaborative culture, strong employee retention, and significant opportunities for career advancement. Recognized nationally for its growth and workplace culture, the firm continues to expand its presence across the United States through both organic growth and strategic acquisitions.

Job Description

This role offers the opportunity to support impactful utility and renewable energy projects, work across multi-disciplinary teams, and contribute to both and/or substation physical design and protection & controls engineering.

What You'll Do

• Support the design and engineering of high-voltage substations for utility, renewable, and power delivery projects
• Contribute to both physical substation design and Protection & Controls (P&C) engineering packages
• Lead or support engineering tasks from project kickoff through IFC/design package completion
• Coordinate closely with civil, structural, SCADA, relay, and project management teams to deliver integrated solutions
• Prepare technical deliverables including one-lines, three-lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, panel layouts, grounding plans, conduit/raceway layouts, cable schedules, bills of material, specifications, reports, and client-facing documents
• Provide engineering support during procurement, construction, commissioning, and startup phases
• Occasionally travel for field walkdowns, client meetings, factory acceptance testing, or construction support

Focus Areas Physical Design

• Develop and support substation physical layout and design packages for high-voltage projects
• Prepare or review:
  • General arrangement drawings
  • Plan and elevation drawings
  • Grounding layouts
  • Conduit and cable routing plans
  • Control building layouts
  • Equipment connection details
  • Foundation and equipment interface coordination
• Coordinate major equipment layouts including transformers, breakers, switches, bus systems, CCVTs/PTs, CTs, panels, batteries, and other station equipment
• Work closely with civil and structural teams to align grading, foundations, trenching, and equipment placement
• Support development of material lists, specifications, and installation details

Protection & Controls (P&C)

• Develop and support P&C design packages including:
  • One-line and three-line diagrams
  • AC/DC schematics
  • Wiring diagrams
  • Relay panel layouts
  • Interconnection diagrams
  • Communication diagrams
  • SCADA point lists
• Perform engineering calculations such as battery sizing, voltage drop, conduit fill, and cable sizing
• Support relay setting development, protection philosophies, and coordination with OEMs and system stakeholders
• Contribute to arc flash, coordination, and other protection-related studies as applicable

MPI does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, age, disability, veteran status, marital status, or based on an individual's status in any group or class protected by applicable federal, state or local law. MPI encourages applications from minorities, women, the disabled, protected veterans and all other qualified applicants.

The Successful Applicant

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program
• 5+ years of experience in substation engineering, power delivery, utility, or renewable energy projects
• Experience supporting physical design, Protection & Controls, or both within substation projects
• Strong understanding of high-voltage substation systems and design practices
• Experience developing engineering deliverables such as one-lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, layouts, grounding plans, and design packages
• Familiarity with applicable industry codes and standards including NEC, NESC, IEEE, ANSI, and NFPA
• Proficiency with tools such as AutoCAD, Bluebeam, and Microsoft Office

Preferred Qualifications

• Professional Engineer (PE) license, or ability to obtain
• Experience supporting utility-scale renewable energy projects, transmission, or high-voltage infrastructure
• Familiarity with relay coordination, SCADA integration, grounding design, and substation design standards
• Experience with ETAP, SKM, ASPEN, CYMCAP, or similar power system software is a plus

What's on Offer

• Competitive salary ranging from $135,000 to $165,000 USD annually
• Comprehensive benefits package including medical, dental, and vision coverage
• Opportunities for professional growth and advancement within the organization
• Support large-scale grid modernization and utility infrastructure programs
• Strong project backlog and long-term growth potential
• Collaborative and technically focused environment
• Competitive compensation package with bonus potential
• Comprehensive retirement and benefits offerings
• Flexible work environment depending on project needs
• Career advancement opportunities into senior project controls, management, and leadership paths

Job Summary

Sector: Engineering & Manufacturing

Sub Sector: Engineering Design and R&D

Industry: Energy & Natural Resources

Location: Southfield

Contract Type: Permanent

Consultant Name: Cullen Sheridan

Job Reference: JN-062026-7031266

Job Nature: Hybrid working