STEM OPT Substation Design Engineer Jobs
Substation Design Engineer roles qualify for STEM OPT when your degree is in electrical engineering or a related CIP-coded field. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and the 24-month extension gives you up to 36 months total to build U.S. experience in power systems design before pursuing long-term sponsorship.
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Get Access To All JobsABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
E2 Consulting Engineers, LP (E2) is a professional services firm established in 1988 specializing in a full spectrum of engineering services including, project engineering and design, federal base operations and infrastructure support services, gas pipeline construction and inspection services, environmental consulting and remediation, and information technology services. At E2, we value safety, innovation and collaboration, and we are dedicated to excellence.
Overview:
E2 is looking for a Substation Engineer to join our team in our San Diego area to support one of the largest electric utility clients. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design of deliverables including general arrangement drawings, electrical equipment plan & elevation drawings, above & below grade conduit & grounding drawings, relay house layout and complete bill of materials. The position will work under the direction of a Lead Engineer and will report directly to the Substation Engineering Manager or Lead Engineer.
Responsibilities:
- Perform substation physical design activities including drawings, specifications, and bill of materials.
- Perform careful self-checking activities to ensure the quality of work before it is presented to Lead Engineer for review.
- Prepare computer assisted design and construction drawings of a complex nature with neatness and a minimum of errors.
- Perform engineering calculations such as conduit and bus sizing, lighting & lightning analysis, and grounding grid analysis.
- Ensure all designs conform to our client’s and industry standards.
- Communicate and coordinate project activities with lead engineer and/or project manager.
- Utilize client and/or company information system to track and update design activities.
- Participate in site meetings to gather scope of work.
- Participate in answering Request for Information (RFI) during project construction.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an ABET approved college or university.
- 3+ years of experience working in substation design or similar with utility or consulting engineering firm.
- Proficient using Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Excel, Word, and Outlook).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
- Experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation or similar software.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
QUALIFICATIONS (PREFERRED):
- Professional Engineer’s License in Electrical Engineering preferred but not required.
- Experience with substation design and construction standards for electric utilities in California is highly desirable.
BENEFITS:
E2 Consulting Engineers, LP offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to sit/stand for up to 8 hours per day.
- Ability to move freely for up to 8 hours per day.
LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY: Yes
DRUG FREE WORKPLACE:
E2 Consulting Engineers, LP is a Drug Free Workplace. After accepting an offer of employment, applicants may be required to undergo background checks, drug testing, and/or fit-for-duty physical examination. Drug screens will include, but not be limited to, Amphetamines, Cocaine Metabolites, Marijuana Metabolites (THC), Opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP). As a federal contractor, E2 cannot permit employees in certain positions to use medical marijuana, even if prescribed by an authorized physician.
SOLICITATION:
Please no solicitation of any kind from agencies, staffing, or recruiting firms.
EEO STATEMENT:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
ABOUT THE ORGANIZATION:
E2 Consulting Engineers, LP (E2) is a professional services firm established in 1988 specializing in a full spectrum of engineering services including, project engineering and design, federal base operations and infrastructure support services, gas pipeline construction and inspection services, environmental consulting and remediation, and information technology services. At E2, we value safety, innovation and collaboration, and we are dedicated to excellence.
Overview:
E2 is looking for a Substation Engineer to join our team in our San Diego area to support one of the largest electric utility clients. The successful candidate will be responsible for the design of deliverables including general arrangement drawings, electrical equipment plan & elevation drawings, above & below grade conduit & grounding drawings, relay house layout and complete bill of materials. The position will work under the direction of a Lead Engineer and will report directly to the Substation Engineering Manager or Lead Engineer.
Responsibilities:
- Perform substation physical design activities including drawings, specifications, and bill of materials.
- Perform careful self-checking activities to ensure the quality of work before it is presented to Lead Engineer for review.
- Prepare computer assisted design and construction drawings of a complex nature with neatness and a minimum of errors.
- Perform engineering calculations such as conduit and bus sizing, lighting & lightning analysis, and grounding grid analysis.
- Ensure all designs conform to our client’s and industry standards.
- Communicate and coordinate project activities with lead engineer and/or project manager.
- Utilize client and/or company information system to track and update design activities.
- Participate in site meetings to gather scope of work.
- Participate in answering Request for Information (RFI) during project construction.
- Perform other duties as assigned.
QUALIFICATIONS
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an ABET approved college or university.
- 3+ years of experience working in substation design or similar with utility or consulting engineering firm.
- Proficient using Microsoft Office suite (e.g., Excel, Word, and Outlook).
- Strong analytical, problem-solving skills, and attention to detail.
- Experience with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation or similar software.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
QUALIFICATIONS (PREFERRED):
- Professional Engineer’s License in Electrical Engineering preferred but not required.
- Experience with substation design and construction standards for electric utilities in California is highly desirable.
BENEFITS:
E2 Consulting Engineers, LP offers an excellent benefits package including health, dental, vision, and life insurance, 401(k) with employer match, paid time off.
WORK ENVIRONMENT:
This job operates in a professional office environment and uses standard office equipment such as computers and phones.
PHYSICAL DEMANDS:
The physical demands described here are representative of those that must be met by an employee to successfully perform the essential functions of this job. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions.
- Ability to sit/stand for up to 8 hours per day.
- Ability to move freely for up to 8 hours per day.
LOCAL CANDIDATES ONLY: Yes
DRUG FREE WORKPLACE:
E2 Consulting Engineers, LP is a Drug Free Workplace. After accepting an offer of employment, applicants may be required to undergo background checks, drug testing, and/or fit-for-duty physical examination. Drug screens will include, but not be limited to, Amphetamines, Cocaine Metabolites, Marijuana Metabolites (THC), Opiates, and Phencyclidine (PCP). As a federal contractor, E2 cannot permit employees in certain positions to use medical marijuana, even if prescribed by an authorized physician.
SOLICITATION:
Please no solicitation of any kind from agencies, staffing, or recruiting firms.
EEO STATEMENT:
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, or status as a protected veteran.
See all STEM OPT Substation Design Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Substation Design Engineer
Verify your CIP code before applying
Check that your degree's Classification of Instructional Programs code falls under electrical, power, or systems engineering categories. Mismatched CIP codes are one of the most common reasons STEM OPT extension requests get flagged by your DSO, so confirm with your international student office before submitting.
Filter job postings by E-Verify status
Substation design roles often appear at engineering consultancies and utilities that vary widely on E-Verify enrollment. Search Migrate Mate to filter for employers already enrolled in E-Verify, so you're only targeting companies that can legally hire you on STEM OPT from day one.
Benchmark your offer against OFLC Wage Search
Before signing an offer, look up the prevailing wage for your specific role and metro area using OFLC Wage Search. Your employer's I-983 training plan must reflect compensation consistent with similarly situated U.S. workers, and a low offer can complicate both your STEM OPT filing and any future H-1B visa petition.
Build your I-983 training plan around deliverables
Generic I-983 descriptions get rejected. Map your training objectives to concrete substation engineering tasks: protection relay coordination, single-line diagram development, or interconnection studies. USCIS and your DSO both review this, so vague language like 'assist with design projects' creates risk at renewal.
Target utilities actively filing H-1B petitions
Power utilities and EPC firms that sponsor H-1B workers regularly are your strongest long-term bet. Use DOL LCA disclosure data to identify which employers have filed petitions for electrical or power engineers, since consistent filing history signals an established immigration process that can follow your STEM OPT period.
Time your extension request around your OPT end date
File your STEM OPT extension application with USCIS at least 90 days before your initial OPT EAD expires. A timely filing preserves your work authorization continuously while the application is pending, but a late filing creates an unauthorized gap that can affect your status and any offer you've already accepted.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Substation Design Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree is in electrical engineering, power systems engineering, or another STEM field with a qualifying CIP code. The role itself must provide practical training directly related to that degree. Your DSO reviews the connection between your job duties and your degree field when approving the I-983 training plan, so the link needs to be explicit and documented.
How do I confirm a substation engineering employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
E-Verify enrollment is a legal requirement for any employer hiring a STEM OPT student. You can check an employer's enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search tool maintained by the Department of Homeland Security. Asking your recruiter or HR contact for their E-Verify company ID during the offer stage is also standard practice and a reasonable request.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Substation Design Engineer position?
Your I-983 must describe the specific engineering skills you'll develop, tied directly to your STEM degree. For substation design, that means listing concrete tasks like protection system studies, AutoCAD or CYME modeling, equipment specification, or interconnection design. Vague descriptions referencing general project support don't satisfy USCIS review standards and can result in a request for more information from your DSO.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if I'm in the H-1B cap-gap period?
If your employer files an H-1B petition on your behalf before your OPT EAD expires and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap provisions extend your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. Your STEM OPT EAD itself doesn't need to be valid through that entire period. USCIS guidance covers cap-gap rules in detail, and your DSO can confirm your specific end date.
Where can I find Substation Design Engineer jobs with employers who hire STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters job listings for employers enrolled in E-Verify and shows DOL Labor Condition Application filing history, so you can identify which utilities, engineering consultancies, and EPC firms have an active immigration process. That filing history is a practical proxy for employers experienced with STEM OPT and positioned to support H-1B sponsorship after your extension period ends.