Green Card Substation Design Engineer Jobs
Substation design engineers with power systems experience are strong candidates for EB-2 and EB-3 green card sponsorship through the PERM labor certification process. Utilities, EPC firms, and engineering consultancies routinely file I-140 petitions for this role. Your degree field and years of hands-on substation experience will shape which category fits your credentials.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
HDR Engineering is currently seeking a Substation Physical Design EIT/Designer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals. The successful candidate will be an integral part of a team that executes technical design on substation engineering projects ranging in scale from simple device replacements to large greenfield design projects. This is an excellent growth opportunity for a self-directed individual who is eager to learn and take on new challenges. The primary duties of a Substation EIT include preparation of engineering drawings, calculations, analyses, reports and designs for electrical substations (Low, Medium and High Voltage) and substation systems under the direction and supervision of more senior engineers and designers. The successful/ideal candidate will be seeking knowledge and experience in both the Protection and Control (Indoor) and Physical (Outdoor) aspects of High Voltage (HV) Substation design.
Other responsibilities include:
- Work under the direction of the Project Manager(s) and Project Engineer(s).
- Prepare calculations, design sketches and redline drawings.
- Work with Designers and CAD Technicians to develop drawings in accordance with national design standards, safety codes and project specifications and requirements.
- Typical designs include general arrangements, bus layouts and elevations and span calculations, conduit layouts, grounding layouts, control enclosure layouts and elevations, equipment details (bus, conduit, grounding), one-line diagrams, understanding of protection and control schematics and wiring diagrams, material lists, conduit and cable sizing/routing and calculations, AC and DC systems calculations and sizing.
- Occasional short-term travel (typically 1-5 days) may be necessary. Longer term (several weeks) assignments may be required infrequently on project assignments.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- Computer skills in Microsoft Office
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidates without their EIT will be called a Substation Physical Designer and will be expected to obtain their EIT for career progression
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field of study
LOCATION
Primary Location: United States-Montana-Billings
SCHEDULE
Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Regular
INDUSTRY
Power
COMPENSATION
The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Montana: $66800- $90500
WHAT WE BELIEVE
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
OUR COMMITMENT
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.
INTRODUCTION
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
HDR Engineering is currently seeking a Substation Physical Design EIT/Designer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals. The successful candidate will be an integral part of a team that executes technical design on substation engineering projects ranging in scale from simple device replacements to large greenfield design projects. This is an excellent growth opportunity for a self-directed individual who is eager to learn and take on new challenges. The primary duties of a Substation EIT include preparation of engineering drawings, calculations, analyses, reports and designs for electrical substations (Low, Medium and High Voltage) and substation systems under the direction and supervision of more senior engineers and designers. The successful/ideal candidate will be seeking knowledge and experience in both the Protection and Control (Indoor) and Physical (Outdoor) aspects of High Voltage (HV) Substation design.
Other responsibilities include:
- Work under the direction of the Project Manager(s) and Project Engineer(s).
- Prepare calculations, design sketches and redline drawings.
- Work with Designers and CAD Technicians to develop drawings in accordance with national design standards, safety codes and project specifications and requirements.
- Typical designs include general arrangements, bus layouts and elevations and span calculations, conduit layouts, grounding layouts, control enclosure layouts and elevations, equipment details (bus, conduit, grounding), one-line diagrams, understanding of protection and control schematics and wiring diagrams, material lists, conduit and cable sizing/routing and calculations, AC and DC systems calculations and sizing.
- Occasional short-term travel (typically 1-5 days) may be necessary. Longer term (several weeks) assignments may be required infrequently on project assignments.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- Computer skills in Microsoft Office
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Candidates without their EIT will be called a Substation Physical Designer and will be expected to obtain their EIT for career progression
- Bachelor's Degree in Mechanical Engineering or related field of study
LOCATION
Primary Location: United States-Montana-Billings
SCHEDULE
Full-time
EMPLOYEE STATUS
Regular
INDUSTRY
Power
COMPENSATION
The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Montana: $66800- $90500
WHAT WE BELIEVE
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
OUR COMMITMENT
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding Green Card Sponsorship as a Substation Design Engineer
Align your credentials with PERM requirements
PERM requires your employer to advertise the role at the minimum qualifications level. Review the job description carefully, your degree field in electrical engineering or power systems must match what DOL certifies, or USCIS may issue a Request for Evidence on your I-140.
Target utilities and EPC firms directly
Investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and large EPC contractors regularly sponsor substation engineers because the domestic pipeline is thin. Focus your outreach on transmission-heavy organizations with active capital expansion programs, where substation design backlogs create recurring hiring needs.
Document your substation-specific technical portfolio
Before PERM begins, assemble project records showing protection coordination studies, equipment specifications, and single-line diagrams you authored. These materials support your employer's attestation to DOL that your experience matches the sponsored position's specialty occupation requirements.
Use Migrate Mate to find sponsoring employers
Search Migrate Mate to identify engineering firms and utilities with verified green card sponsorship history for substation and power systems roles. Filtering by sponsorship type helps you prioritize companies already familiar with the PERM and I-140 process rather than educating a first-time sponsor.
Ask about priority date strategy before accepting an offer
EB-3 sponsorship has no annual cap concerns for many nationalities, but EB-2 backlogs can affect Indian and Chinese nationals by years. Ask your prospective employer whether they'll sponsor both EB-2 and EB-3 concurrently so you can lock in an earlier priority date under EB-3 while the EB-2 matures.
Verify your prevailing wage category with OFLC
PERM requires your offered wage to meet or exceed the DOL prevailing wage for your location and experience level. Run your job title through OFLC Wage Search before your offer letter is finalized, a wage set at Level I when your duties are Level III will stall the PERM filing.
Green Card Substation Design Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Which green card category typically applies to substation design engineers?
Most substation design engineers qualify under EB-3 as professionals with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, or under EB-2 if the role requires an advanced degree or the candidate holds one. Employers file a PERM labor certification with DOL first, then an I-140 petition with USCIS. The EB-2 National Interest Waiver is rarely used for this role because employer sponsorship is standard in the industry.
How does green card sponsorship differ from H-1B sponsorship for this role?
Green card sponsorship through PERM is permanent residency, not a temporary status subject to the H-1B visa six-year cap or annual lottery. EB-3 sponsorship has no cap on petitions filed, though visa number availability varies by country of birth. The PERM-to-green-card timeline runs two to four years for most nationalities, compared to H-1B status that must be renewed every three years and requires continuous employer sponsorship.
What does a substation design engineer need to prepare before PERM begins?
Gather educational credentials showing a degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field, along with transcripts if your degree is from a foreign institution. Compile employment records that document substation-specific experience: protection relay settings, switchgear specifications, and grounding studies. DOL may audit the PERM file, so contemporaneous project documentation is stronger evidence than a summary letter written later.
How can I find employers who sponsor green cards for substation engineering roles?
Migrate Mate lets you search specifically for substation and power systems engineering positions with confirmed green card sponsorship history. Rather than guessing whether a company has sponsored before, you can filter roles by sponsorship type and focus your applications on employers already set up to run the PERM and I-140 process for engineering hires.
Does specialization in protection systems or high-voltage design strengthen an EB-2 case?
Specialization can support an EB-2 argument if the employer's job requirements genuinely demand an advanced degree in power engineering or equivalent. Protection coordination, relay programming, or 500 kV design work narrows the qualified labor pool, which helps justify EB-2 classification during PERM and strengthens the I-140 petition. Check the O*NET occupation profile for substation engineers to confirm how DOL categorizes the role's typical education and experience thresholds.