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
The Electrical Project Engineer - Substation is responsible for HV / EHV substation design.
ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBILITIES:
- Execute technical tasks for AC substation projects under the guidance of a Lead Engineer.
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Develop high voltage substation:
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General arrangement and layout drawings
- Plan and elevation views
- Detailed bill of materials
- Bus, cable, equipment, conduit, wiring, grounding, and control building arrangements
- Perform engineering calculations related to substation design.
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Coordinate overall design with other disciplines, including:
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Single line diagrams and schematics
- Relay protection and control requirements
- Write specifications for high voltage equipment and prepare material purchase requests.
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Evaluate vendor quotations for substation equipment, such as:
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Circuit breakers
- Switchgear
- Disconnect switches
- Power transformers
- High voltage cables
- Protection and control systems
- Resolve technical issues in coordination with the customer and project manager.
- Collaborate with the Lead Engineer and Project Manager to maintain project budget and schedule.
- Work as part of a multidisciplinary engineering and design team.
- Coordinate with sourcing and project teams to ensure specifications, cost, and schedule objectives are met.
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Interface with cross-functional internal and external stakeholders, including:
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Principal Engineers
- Protection & Control Engineers
- Electrical/Physical Designers
- CAD operators
- Project Managers
- Support functions
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Support proposal development by:
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Writing/reviewing technical specs
- Estimating materials
- Assisting with vendor quote evaluations
- Guiding design/drafting teams
- Developing clarifications, exceptions, and technical responses
- Contribute to engineering automation, productivity improvements, and quality initiatives.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS:
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited university. Grade point average greater than 3.0 [U.S. system]
- Work experience in power systems engineering and design
- Ability and willingness to travel, including internationally, in compliance with company travel and tax policies.
DESIRED CHARACTERISTICS:
- Passed FE exam, registered E.I.T.
- Experience / working knowledge of applicable design calculations such as battery sizing and DC system component selection, control and power cable selection and rating, bus sizing, fittings, insulator selection, ground grid design, and lightning protection
- Work exposure to Transmission and Distribution substation engineering for utilities and renewable energy power plants and projects experience as an Electrical Project Engineer in substation type applications for primary/physical/outdoor design, including aspects of civil design and control and relay protection design
- Knowledge of and experience using IEEE and ANSI standards and codes such as the NEC and NESC
- Prior GEV work experience
- Demonstrated electrical and mechanical troubleshooting capability
- Effective communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to work in a team environment
- Able to lead small teams, innovate, and be accountable for results in order to deliver a high-quality product on time and under budget
- Excellent personal computer skills, including programming and familiarity with AutoCAD, including 3D modeling
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
For candidates applying to a U.S. based position, the pay range for this position is between $79,200.00 and $118,800.00. 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 October 30, 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.