H-1B Visa Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs
Substation Electrical Engineer roles qualify as H-1B visa specialty occupations under the electrical engineering SOC code, requiring at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field. Utilities, EPC firms, and grid infrastructure companies sponsor H-1B transfers and cap-subject petitions for engineers who design, commission, and maintain high-voltage substation systems.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn's Portland, OR office is seeking a Substation Electrical Engineer to support a wide range of high‑voltage substation projects for developers, EPCs, and utilities. Projects span multiple clients and delivery models, requiring adaptability, strong engineering judgment, and comfort working across varied scopes.
Responsibilities
- Lead the electrical design and analysis of medium- and high-voltage substations (typically 34.5kV through 230kV), including greenfield and expansion projects
- Develop and oversee preparation of key deliverables, including:
- One-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, and AC/DC schematics
- Protection and control design packages
- Substation physical layouts and equipment arrangements
- Interface directly with clients, utilities, and EPC contractors to support design coordination, technical reviews, and project execution
- Provide engineering support during construction, including review and response to RFIs, submittals, and field issues
- Perform or guide technical studies such as short circuit analysis, grounding design, relay coordination, and equipment sizing
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams (civil, structural, P&C, SCADA) across offices to ensure integrated design development
- Support project delivery by contributing to scope definition, schedules, and engineering estimates
- Lead discipline-level execution on projects, ensuring quality, consistency, and alignment with client and utility standards
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) required
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) required
- 10+ years of substation electrical engineering experience, preferably supporting utility-scale infrastructure
- Strong understanding of:
- Substation equipment (transformers, breakers, relays, bus configurations)
- Protection and control philosophy
- Applicable standards (NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI)
- Experience working with:
- Utilities, developers, and/or EPC contractors
- Design-build or fast-paced project environments
- Ability to lead portions of projects and manage discipline-specific deliverables with minimal oversight
- Strong communication skills and experience interacting directly with clients
- Willingness to travel to support site visits and client meetings, as needed
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients and employees, are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 17 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (you put in 4% - we put in 8%) and additional profit-sharing contribution. Aggregate company contribution since 2015 has been 18%.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Generous personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
INTRODUCTION
Kimley-Horn's Portland, OR office is seeking a Substation Electrical Engineer to support a wide range of high‑voltage substation projects for developers, EPCs, and utilities. Projects span multiple clients and delivery models, requiring adaptability, strong engineering judgment, and comfort working across varied scopes.
Responsibilities
- Lead the electrical design and analysis of medium- and high-voltage substations (typically 34.5kV through 230kV), including greenfield and expansion projects
- Develop and oversee preparation of key deliverables, including:
- One-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, and AC/DC schematics
- Protection and control design packages
- Substation physical layouts and equipment arrangements
- Interface directly with clients, utilities, and EPC contractors to support design coordination, technical reviews, and project execution
- Provide engineering support during construction, including review and response to RFIs, submittals, and field issues
- Perform or guide technical studies such as short circuit analysis, grounding design, relay coordination, and equipment sizing
- Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams (civil, structural, P&C, SCADA) across offices to ensure integrated design development
- Support project delivery by contributing to scope definition, schedules, and engineering estimates
- Lead discipline-level execution on projects, ensuring quality, consistency, and alignment with client and utility standards
- Mentor and provide technical guidance to junior engineers and designers
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) required
- Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) required
- 10+ years of substation electrical engineering experience, preferably supporting utility-scale infrastructure
- Strong understanding of:
- Substation equipment (transformers, breakers, relays, bus configurations)
- Protection and control philosophy
- Applicable standards (NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI)
- Experience working with:
- Utilities, developers, and/or EPC contractors
- Design-build or fast-paced project environments
- Ability to lead portions of projects and manage discipline-specific deliverables with minimal oversight
- Strong communication skills and experience interacting directly with clients
- Willingness to travel to support site visits and client meetings, as needed
WHY KIMLEY-HORN?
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients and employees, are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 17 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (you put in 4% - we put in 8%) and additional profit-sharing contribution. Aggregate company contribution since 2015 has been 18%.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Generous personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
See all 358+ H-1B Visa Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding H-1B Visa Sponsorship as a Substation Electrical Engineer
Verify your degree maps to the role
USCIS evaluates whether your degree field directly relates to substation engineering work. A degree in electrical power systems strengthens your case more than a general EE degree. Get a credential evaluation from NACES if your degree is from outside the U.S.
Search LCA filings by occupation code
Use the OFLC Wage Search to filter Labor Condition Applications under SOC code 17-2071 for electrical engineers. This surfaces employers who've already certified wages for substation roles, so you're targeting companies with active sponsorship history rather than guessing.
Target utilities and EPC contractors specifically
Use Migrate Mate to filter for substation engineering roles at employers with verified H-1B LCA filing history. Utilities operating transmission infrastructure and engineering-procurement-construction firms handling grid projects file the most petitions in this occupation.
Document project-level technical experience early
Before accepting an offer, compile project records showing substation voltage levels, protection relay work, or commissioning scope. Your employer's H-1B petition must establish specialty occupation, and specific technical evidence reduces the risk of a Request for Evidence from USCIS.
Confirm the employer's E-Verify enrollment before accepting
H-1B employers must complete Form I-9 employment verification. If you're transitioning from OPT or another status, ask the HR team directly whether the company is enrolled in E-Verify and who handles I-129 petition filings internally or through outside counsel.
Understand the cap-exempt employer pathway
Some substation engineering roles at universities, nonprofit research institutions, or government entities are cap-exempt, meaning your petition bypasses the annual H-1B lottery. If you're not selected in a cap-subject year, cap-exempt employers offer a direct path to status without waiting for the next registration cycle.
H-1B Visa Substation Electrical Engineer: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Substation Electrical Engineer role qualify as an H-1B specialty occupation?
Yes. Substation electrical engineering meets the H-1B specialty occupation standard because the work requires at least a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or electrical power systems. USCIS expects a direct relationship between your degree field and the job duties. If your role involves protection relay design, substation automation, or high-voltage commissioning, the specialty occupation argument is straightforward for most petitions.
Which employers sponsor H-1B visas for substation engineers?
Utilities with transmission and distribution operations, EPC contractors managing grid infrastructure projects, and engineering consulting firms are the primary sponsors for this role. You can search Migrate Mate to browse substation engineering positions at employers with documented H-1B LCA filing history, which filters out companies unlikely to sponsor before you invest time in the application process.
How does the H-1B prevailing wage requirement affect substation engineering offers?
Your employer must pay at least the DOL prevailing wage for your SOC code and work location before USCIS approves the petition. The wage is set at the higher of the actual wage paid to similar employees or the prevailing wage from the OFLC Wage Search database. For substation engineers in high-cost utility markets, Level III and Level IV wages apply to engineers with specialized protection or substation automation experience.
Can I transfer my H-1B to a new substation engineering employer mid-project?
Yes. Under H-1B portability rules, you can start working for a new employer as soon as the new I-129 petition is filed, as long as your current H-1B is valid and you've maintained lawful status. Your new employer files the transfer petition with USCIS, and you don't need to wait for approval to begin the new role. Keep copies of both your receipt notice and your current approval.
Does project-site travel affect my H-1B status as a substation engineer?
It can. H-1B workers must be performing work covered by the certified LCA at each job site. If your role requires extended on-site commissioning work at a substation in a different metropolitan area, your employer may need to file an amended petition or post a new LCA for that location. Short-term assignments under 60 days in a rolling year have more flexibility under DOL rules, but longer deployments require documentation.