E-3 Visa Substation Design Engineer Jobs
Substation design engineers qualify for E-3 visa sponsorship as specialty occupation workers under DOL's electrical engineering classification. The E-3 has no lottery and no annual cap, so Australian engineers can accept a U.S. offer and be working within weeks of consulate approval.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Substation Designer Engineer - Lead Professional for our Burnsville (Minneapolis), Minnesota office. Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.
The Substation Design Engineer will be responsible for Substation Physical and Control Design, Project Engineering, Mentoring Early Professionals, coordinating project scope/schedule/budget with Project Manager, and providing QAQC reviews on department projects.
Your Impact:
- Support the Department Manager with the management and development of client relationships and client teams
- Direct and lead multidisciplined project teams from scoping, through detailed design and construction support of medium to high voltage utility substations
- Perform high-level quality / cross-discipline design reviews of Substation Physical, P&C, and Civil Structural drawing packages
- Perform detailed quality design reviews of Substation Physical design packages and/or Substation P&C design packages
- Perform, mentor, and direct others in the detailed design of substations including, but not limited to
- Client Standards
- One-line diagrams
- Schematics
- Wiring diagrams
- SCADA
- Communications
- Station physical layouts
- Sections/Elevations
- Cable and conduit plans and details
- Ground grid design and details
- Foundation plans and details
- Structural plans and details
- Control enclosure design and details;
- Lightning protection plans
- Yard lighting plans
- Bills of Materials
- Inter-discipline coordination activities
- Specify and select substation equipment
- Contribute to substation equipment specifications
- Construction support
- Facility studies
- Site visits
- Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and quality of assigned projects
- Support the Project Manager with project reporting needs
- Support proposal development
- Occasional travel will be required
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 manner
- Collaborate 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 Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- 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
- 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 policies
- Highly 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
- 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred
- Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired
INTRODUCTION
WSP is currently initiating a search for a Substation Designer Engineer - Lead Professional for our Burnsville (Minneapolis), Minnesota office. Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.
The Substation Design Engineer will be responsible for Substation Physical and Control Design, Project Engineering, Mentoring Early Professionals, coordinating project scope/schedule/budget with Project Manager, and providing QAQC reviews on department projects.
Your Impact:
- Support the Department Manager with the management and development of client relationships and client teams
- Direct and lead multidisciplined project teams from scoping, through detailed design and construction support of medium to high voltage utility substations
- Perform high-level quality / cross-discipline design reviews of Substation Physical, P&C, and Civil Structural drawing packages
- Perform detailed quality design reviews of Substation Physical design packages and/or Substation P&C design packages
- Perform, mentor, and direct others in the detailed design of substations including, but not limited to
- Client Standards
- One-line diagrams
- Schematics
- Wiring diagrams
- SCADA
- Communications
- Station physical layouts
- Sections/Elevations
- Cable and conduit plans and details
- Ground grid design and details
- Foundation plans and details
- Structural plans and details
- Control enclosure design and details;
- Lightning protection plans
- Yard lighting plans
- Bills of Materials
- Inter-discipline coordination activities
- Specify and select substation equipment
- Contribute to substation equipment specifications
- Construction support
- Facility studies
- Site visits
- Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, and quality of assigned projects
- Support the Project Manager with project reporting needs
- Support proposal development
- Occasional travel will be required
- 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
- 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
- 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
- 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 manner
- Collaborate 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 Are
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience)
- 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
- 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 policies
- Highly 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
- 40-Hour OSHA Health & Safety Training (HAZWOPER) (29 CFR 1910.120) preferred
- Basic First Aid and Adult CPR training desired
See all 17+ Substation Design Engineer jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Substation Design Engineer roles.
Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding E-3 Visa Sponsorship as a Substation Design Engineer
Translate your credentials before applying
Australian 3-year engineering degrees are accepted as equivalent to U.S. 4-year bachelor's degrees for E-3 purposes. Have your transcripts and any Engineers Australia accreditation ready to send with your resume so employers don't stall on credential questions.
Target utilities and EPC firms directly
Substation design roles are concentrated in investor-owned utilities, transmission developers, and engineering-procurement-construction firms. These employers file LCAs routinely and understand E-3 mechanics, unlike general tech companies encountering sponsorship for the first time.
Search verified E-3 sponsorship roles on Migrate Mate
Migrate Mate filters substation and power systems roles by employers with active E-3 and LCA filing history, so you're not cold-applying to companies that have never sponsored an Australian engineer before.
Clarify PE licensure expectations upfront
Many U.S. substation roles list a Professional Engineer license as preferred, but you can start on E-3 status without one and obtain it through the NCEES pathway. Flag this during the offer stage so neither side is surprised by the timeline.
Get your LCA filed before accepting a start date
Your employer must file the Labor Condition Application with DOL and receive certification before you can attend your consulate appointment. LCA processing typically runs seven business days, so build that window into your onboarding negotiation.
Use Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service for the full process
Once you have an offer, Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service handles LCA preparation, DOL submission, visa paperwork, and consulate appointment preparation end-to-end, so engineering-specific documentation is correctly framed for the specialty occupation requirement.
Substation Design Engineer jobs are hiring across the US. Find yours.
Find Substation Design Engineer JobsSubstation Design Engineer E-3 Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Where can I find substation design engineer jobs with E-3 visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Australian professionals seeking U.S. roles with E-3 sponsorship. It surfaces substation and power systems positions from employers with documented LCA filing history, which means you're applying to companies that have already navigated the sponsorship process rather than learning it alongside you.
How much does it cost to get an E-3 visa?
Migrate Mate's E-3 filing service covers the entire process for $499, including the Labor Condition Application, visa document preparation, and consulate appointment guidance. Traditional immigration lawyers charge $2,000–$5,000+ for the same work. The E-3 has less paperwork than most work visas, so paying thousands for legal help is usually unnecessary.
Does substation design engineering qualify as a specialty occupation for E-3?
Yes. Electrical and power systems engineering roles that require a bachelor's degree in engineering or a directly related field meet DOL's specialty occupation definition. Substation design roles, which typically require knowledge of protection schemes, relay coordination, and high-voltage equipment, consistently qualify. A generic job description that accepts any engineering degree can create problems, so ask your employer to confirm the LCA job title aligns with your actual duties.
How does the E-3 compare to H-1B for Australian substation engineers?
The E-3 has no lottery and no annual numerical cap, so you don't compete for a slot the way H-1B applicants do. You can apply as soon as you have a certified LCA and a job offer. H-1B registration opens once a year in March, with selection in April and the earliest start date of October 1. For an Australian engineer with a U.S. offer in hand, the E-3 path is typically months faster.
Can I switch employers while on an E-3 as a substation design engineer?
Yes, but the new employer must file a fresh LCA with DOL before you start work. The E-3 is employer-specific, so your current approval doesn't transfer. Build the LCA filing timeline, typically around seven business days for DOL certification, into your transition planning so there's no gap between your last day and your new start date.
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