STEM OPT Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs
Substation Electrical Engineer roles qualify for the STEM OPT 24-month extension if your degree falls under an eligible CIP code in electrical or power engineering. Employers must be enrolled in E-Verify and sign a Form I-983 training plan, giving you up to 36 months of total work authorization to build experience in power systems design and grid infrastructure.
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INTRODUCTION
Own the project control activity globally and drive consistent functional specifications and common global processes for project implementation. The role has some autonomy but is focused on execution of activities within an operating discipline covered by standard functional practices and procedures. Some judgment may be required but this is typically with guidance from Senior Engineers. The role allows modification of procedures and practices covering work as long as the end results meet standards of acceptability (quality, volume, timeliness etc.).
About us:
Grid Solutions, a GE Renewable Energy business, serves customers globally with over 12,000 employees. We provide power utilities and industries worldwide with equipment, systems, and services to bring power reliably and efficiently from the point of generation to end power consumers. We are focused on addressing the challenges of the energy transition by enabling the safe and reliable connection of renewable and distributed energy resources to the grid. For more about GE’s Grid Solutions, visit https://www.gegridsolutions.com.
WHY WE COME TO WORK:
At GE Renewable Energy, our engineers are always up for the challenge - and we’re always driven to find the best solution. Our projects are unique and interesting, and you’ll need to bring a solution-focused, positive approach to each one to do your best. Surrounded by committed, loyal colleagues, if you can dare to bring your ingenuity and desire to make an impact, you’ll be exposed to game-changing, diverse projects that truly allow you to play your part in the green energy transition.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
The electrical substation project engineer is responsible for all aspects of HV/EHV substation design including:
- Responsible for leading and coordinating all technical aspects of AC power substation projects. Must be the technical leader for assigned engineering projects including developing the design from scoping phase until detail design. Responsible for the power single line drawing, plan and elevation drawings, general substation arrangement and layout, layouts and details for high voltage bus, cable, high voltage equipment, conduit, cable, and wiring, grounding, and control buildings.
- As needed, provide oversight and reviews of deliverables in the proposal process. Responsibilities include conceptual engineering, proposal documentation including BOM, writing and/or reviewing HV technical specifications, supporting sourcing for vendor quotations, developing clarifications and exceptions as well as technical responses.
- Single point of contact for technical issues for the customer and project manager.
- Coordinate with sourcing and the project team on technical matters to meet project specifications, cost control, and schedule objectives. Includes writing HV equipment specifications and contractor work scopes, request vendor quotations, evaluate quotations, vendor quotation evaluations for substation equipment including high voltage circuit breakers, switchgear, disconnects, high voltage power transformers, high voltage cable, and protection and control systems interface with customers and project team members and final commissioning. Will be accountable for team results in order to deliver a high quality product to customer CTQ’s on time and on or under budget.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelors of Science Degree in Engineering
- Minimum of 3 years' experience in industrial or utility HV & EHV substation design or MSEE (power)
ELIGIBILITY REQUIREMENTS:
- Ability and willingness to travel up to 20%, both domestically and internationally, for meetings, troubleshooting, and on-site commissioning tests for customer installations. You must comply with all relevant GE Vernova travel and tax policies.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Working knowledge of applicable design calculations such as battery sizing & DC system component selection, power transformer and circuit breaker selection, circuit protection, control and power cable (and bus) selection and rating, bus, fittings, insulator, and arrector selection, ground grid design, and lightning protection. Able to work independently.
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills. Fluent in English. Ability to work in a team environment. The Project Engineer must be creative, able to lead a team, and be accountable for team results in order to deliver a high quality product on time and under budget.
- Must be able and willing to get Professional Engineering license in the U.S., and to use their license as part of their work.
- Professional Engineering registration (within the U.S.) strongly desired.
- Minimum of 3 years' experience in Transmission & Distribution substation engineering for utilities and renewable energy power plants and projects experience as an Electrical Project Engineer in substation type applications, including primary (outdoor) substation design and required calculations.
- Knowledge of and experience using IEEE & ANSI standards and codes such as the NEC and NESC. Moreover, ability to engineer design packages when no clear customer specification is provided.
- Field-testing and commissioning experience with safe work habits.
- Demonstrated electrical and mechanical troubleshooting capability.
- Good presence in front of the customer with demonstrated commercial experience such as Project Management.
- Excellent personal computer skills, including programming and design automation, and familiarity with AutoCAD/Microstation strongly desired.
ADDITIONAL INFORMATION
GE Vernova offers a great work environment, professional development, challenging careers, and competitive compensation. GE Vernova is an Equal Opportunity Employer. Employment decisions are made without regard to race, color, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other characteristics protected by law.
GE Vernova will only employ those who are legally authorized to work in the United States for this opening. Any offer of employment is conditioned upon the successful completion of a drug screen (as applicable).
RELOCATION ASSISTANCE PROVIDED: No
LI-Remote - This is a remote position
Application Deadline: August 11, 2026
For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $80,000.00 and $120,000.00. The Company pays a geographic differential of 110%, 120% or 130% of salary in certain areas. The specific pay offered may be influenced by a variety of factors, including the candidate’s experience, education, and skill set.
Bonus eligibility: discretionary annual bonus.
This posting is expected to remain open for at least seven days after it was posted on August 03, 2026.
Available benefits include medical, dental, vision, and prescription drug coverage; access to Health Coach from GE Vernova, a 24/7 nurse-based resource; and access to the Employee Assistance Program, providing 24/7 confidential assessment, counseling and referral services. Retirement benefits include the GE Vernova Retirement Savings Plan, a tax-advantaged 401(k) savings opportunity with company matching contributions and company retirement contributions, as well as access to Fidelity resources and financial planning consultants. Other benefits include tuition assistance, adoption assistance, paid parental leave, disability benefits, life insurance, 12 paid holidays, and permissive time off.
GE Vernova Inc. or its affiliates (collectively or individually, “GE Vernova”) sponsor certain employee benefit plans or programs GE Vernova reserves the right to terminate, amend, suspend, replace, or modify its benefit plans and programs at any time and for any reason, in its sole discretion. No individual has a vested right to any benefit under a GE Vernova welfare benefit plan or program. This document does not create a contract of employment with any individual.
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Substation Electrical Engineer
Verify your degree CIP code early
Check your DSO's records to confirm your electrical engineering degree is listed under an eligible STEM CIP code before you apply. A mismatch between your transcript field and the approved CIP list can delay or disqualify your extension.
Target utilities with E-Verify accounts
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting any offer. Investor-owned utilities, transmission operators, and engineering consultancies that work on federal infrastructure projects are required or strongly incentivized to maintain active E-Verify accounts.
Use O*NET to frame your training plan
The I-983 requires you to link your daily tasks to concrete learning objectives. Pull the Substation Electrical Engineer occupation profile from O*NET to identify recognized skills and knowledge areas that map directly to your engineering role.
Search Migrate Mate for verified employer postings
Filter your job search to employers with confirmed E-Verify enrollment and a history of hiring STEM OPT candidates. Migrate Mate surfaces substation and power systems roles at companies that already understand the I-983 process.
Check prevailing wage before negotiating your offer
Run the relevant SOC code for electrical engineers through the OFLC Wage Search to see the Level I through Level IV prevailing wage bands in your target metro. Your offer needs to clear the applicable level if the employer later files an LCA for H-1B visa transition.
Clarify cap-gap coverage before your first OPT expires
If your employer files an H-1B petition before your OPT end date and you're selected, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30. Notify your DSO immediately after USCIS issues a receipt notice so your I-20 reflects the updated end date.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a substation electrical engineering role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree was awarded under an approved STEM CIP code in electrical, electronics, or power engineering. The role itself must also constitute practical training directly related to your major. Your DSO confirms eligibility by verifying the CIP code on your I-20 against the USCIS STEM Designated Degree Program list before recommending the extension.
What does the I-983 training plan need to include for this role?
Your I-983 must describe the specific learning objectives tied to your substation engineering duties, such as protection relay design, switchgear specification, or fault analysis, and explain how those tasks advance your competency in electrical power systems. Both you and your employer's authorized representative must sign it, and you'll update it every six months or whenever your role changes materially.
How do I confirm that a substation employer is enrolled in E-Verify?
Ask the recruiter or HR contact directly and request written confirmation before signing an offer. You can also ask to see the company's E-Verify participation statement, which enrolled employers are required to post in a visible location. STEM OPT regulations prohibit you from working for any employer that is not actively enrolled in E-Verify, so verification before day one is essential.
How do I find substation electrical engineer jobs that sponsor STEM OPT students?
Migrate Mate filters postings to employers with E-Verify enrollment and experience hiring STEM OPT candidates, which narrows your search to companies already familiar with the I-983 process. Utilities, independent power producers, and transmission engineering firms are the most active hirers in this space and tend to have established OPT onboarding workflows.
What happens to my STEM OPT authorization if my employer files an H-1B petition?
If your employer submits a cap-subject H-1B petition before your OPT end date and USCIS selects it in the lottery, cap-gap provisions automatically extend your work authorization until October 1 of that fiscal year. You must remain employed by the same E-Verify employer throughout the cap-gap period, and your DSO needs to issue an updated I-20 reflecting the extension once USCIS issues the receipt notice.