STEM OPT Substation Engineer Jobs
Substation Engineer roles in power transmission and distribution qualify for STEM OPT work authorization, giving you up to 36 months to gain hands-on experience in a field where electrical and systems engineering degrees align directly with the work. Your employer must be enrolled in E-Verify, and you'll need a STEM-designated degree to unlock the 24-month extension.
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Get Access To All JobsINTRODUCTION
Mesa seeks a Substation P&C Engineer Associate I for our Power Delivery Substation engineering design team based out of Lakewood, CO. The successful candidate has 1-2 years of experience in P&C substation design for 69kV to 500kV substations. They will work with a small team to complete substation P&C design projects to meet client standards and practices. They will be responsible for maintaining good quality and efficiency while developing deliverables such as: single line diagrams, control house layouts & elevations, panel front views, elementary and/or schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, nameplate drawings, bills of materials, cable schedules, etc.
Substations support large electric utility clients as well as renewable projects. Primarily, renewable projects are connecting utility scale solar farms, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and large wind farms to the connecting utility through substations.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience/Licensure:
- A minimum of a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering, from an ABET accredited college or university is required.
- Minimum of 1-2 years of progressively responsible experience in 69kV to 500kV substation Physical design is required.
- EIT is preferred.
Responsibilities
- On a task basis, is responsible for preparation and completion of engineering designs and supporting documentation such as calculations.
- Prepares calculations, specifications, reports, and drawings within assigned task areas.
- Interfaces with other disciplines on multi-discipline projects as required.
- Responsible for adhering to project scope, schedule, and budget on all assigned projects.
- Establish, promote, and assure quality on all project work.
- Works under the direction of Senior Engineers, Professional Engineers (PEs) and Project Engineers.
- Work with Engineering Supervisor or Engineering Manager to follow up on construction issues with field engineers to help resolve problems and concerns in a timely manner.
- Ensures deliverables comply with NEC, IEEE and/or client standards and meet applicable design requirements.
- Attend group meetings with staff as required.
- Incorporate safe work practices into all activities.
- Work with Engineering Supervisor or Engineering Manager and team to assist with project execution, work processes, and procedures to help continually improve quality, productivity, and efficiency.
- Use strong verbal and written communication skills with team members and clients.
- Use interpersonal skills to build relationships with team members and clients.
- Possess knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD.
The successful candidate will be required to report to our Lakewood, CO office on a hybrid basis. The entire team works in the office twice per week.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
- Preferred 1-2 years: Substation P&C design experience
Education
- Required Bachelors or better in Electrical Engineering
Licenses & Certifications
- Preferred Engineer in Training
Skills
- Preferred Autodesk
- CAD
- Engineering Design
- Microsoft Office
Behaviors
- Required Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
- Preferred Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
- Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Motivations
- Preferred Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
- Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
- Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
BENEFITS
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Pay – 10 Annually
- Group Medical/Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance (Company Paid)
- Disability Insurance (Company Paid)
- 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan
- 401(K) Matching Contribution
- Section 125 / Cafeteria Plan
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Fitness Center Reimbursement
- Annual Performance Bonus
- 9/80 Work Schedule
- FSA and HSA Options
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE
$73,920.82 - $92,557.52
The expected compensation is a range determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, and qualifications of the candidate, internal equity, work location, and hiring department’s fiscal resources.
NOTICE TO EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRMS: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
INTRODUCTION
Mesa seeks a Substation P&C Engineer Associate I for our Power Delivery Substation engineering design team based out of Lakewood, CO. The successful candidate has 1-2 years of experience in P&C substation design for 69kV to 500kV substations. They will work with a small team to complete substation P&C design projects to meet client standards and practices. They will be responsible for maintaining good quality and efficiency while developing deliverables such as: single line diagrams, control house layouts & elevations, panel front views, elementary and/or schematic diagrams, wiring diagrams, nameplate drawings, bills of materials, cable schedules, etc.
Substations support large electric utility clients as well as renewable projects. Primarily, renewable projects are connecting utility scale solar farms, battery energy storage systems (BESS), and large wind farms to the connecting utility through substations.
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
Education/Experience/Licensure:
- A minimum of a BS Degree in Electrical Engineering, from an ABET accredited college or university is required.
- Minimum of 1-2 years of progressively responsible experience in 69kV to 500kV substation Physical design is required.
- EIT is preferred.
Responsibilities
- On a task basis, is responsible for preparation and completion of engineering designs and supporting documentation such as calculations.
- Prepares calculations, specifications, reports, and drawings within assigned task areas.
- Interfaces with other disciplines on multi-discipline projects as required.
- Responsible for adhering to project scope, schedule, and budget on all assigned projects.
- Establish, promote, and assure quality on all project work.
- Works under the direction of Senior Engineers, Professional Engineers (PEs) and Project Engineers.
- Work with Engineering Supervisor or Engineering Manager to follow up on construction issues with field engineers to help resolve problems and concerns in a timely manner.
- Ensures deliverables comply with NEC, IEEE and/or client standards and meet applicable design requirements.
- Attend group meetings with staff as required.
- Incorporate safe work practices into all activities.
- Work with Engineering Supervisor or Engineering Manager and team to assist with project execution, work processes, and procedures to help continually improve quality, productivity, and efficiency.
- Use strong verbal and written communication skills with team members and clients.
- Use interpersonal skills to build relationships with team members and clients.
- Possess knowledge and experience with Microsoft Office Suite and AutoCAD.
The successful candidate will be required to report to our Lakewood, CO office on a hybrid basis. The entire team works in the office twice per week.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
Experience
- Preferred 1-2 years: Substation P&C design experience
Education
- Required Bachelors or better in Electrical Engineering
Licenses & Certifications
- Preferred Engineer in Training
Skills
- Preferred Autodesk
- CAD
- Engineering Design
- Microsoft Office
Behaviors
- Required Detail Oriented: Capable of carrying out a given task with all details necessary to get the task done well
- Preferred Leader: Inspires teammates to follow them
- Functional Expert: Considered a thought leader on a subject
- Team Player: Works well as a member of a group
- Dedicated: Devoted to a task or purpose with loyalty or integrity
Motivations
- Preferred Self-Starter: Inspired to perform without outside help
- Work-Life Balance: Inspired to perform well by having ample time to pursue work and interests outside of work
- Growth Opportunities: Inspired to perform well by the chance to take on more responsibility
BENEFITS
- Paid Time Off
- Holiday Pay – 10 Annually
- Group Medical/Dental Insurance
- Life Insurance (Company Paid)
- Disability Insurance (Company Paid)
- 401(K) Retirement Savings Plan
- 401(K) Matching Contribution
- Section 125 / Cafeteria Plan
- Long Term Care Insurance
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Fitness Center Reimbursement
- Annual Performance Bonus
- 9/80 Work Schedule
- FSA and HSA Options
ANNUAL SALARY RANGE
$73,920.82 - $92,557.52
The expected compensation is a range determined by factors including but not limited to education, experience, and qualifications of the candidate, internal equity, work location, and hiring department’s fiscal resources.
NOTICE TO EXTERNAL SEARCH FIRMS: Mesa Associates, Inc. and its subsidiaries do not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Mesa Associates, Inc. Talent Acquisition engages with approved search firms directly for specific hiring needs.
Equal Opportunity Employer/Protected Veterans/Individuals with Disabilities
This employer is required to notify all applicants of their rights pursuant to federal employment laws. For further information, please review the Know Your Rights notice from the Department of Labor.
See all 113+ STEM OPT Substation Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding STEM OPT Authorization as a Substation Engineer
Verify your degree's CIP code eligibility
Electrical Engineering (14.1001) and Systems Engineering (14.2701) are among the CIP codes that qualify for the STEM OPT extension. Confirm your degree's exact CIP code with your DSO before targeting employers, since a misclassified program can disqualify your extension filing.
Search LCA filings for substation engineering roles
Use the OFLC Wage Search to filter Labor Condition Application filings by SOC code 17-2071 (Electrical Engineers). Employers who have filed LCAs for that occupation have already navigated DOL prevailing-wage requirements, signaling real experience hiring engineers on work authorization.
Confirm E-Verify enrollment before accepting any offer
Your employer must be actively enrolled in E-Verify to sponsor your STEM OPT extension. Verify their enrollment status directly through the E-Verify employer search tool before signing an offer letter, not after, since switching employers resets your 60-day grace period.
Build your I-983 training plan around project deliverables
Substation engineers work on protection relay testing, load-flow studies, and grid interconnection projects. Map these specific deliverables to STEM-learning objectives in your I-983 so your DSO and employer have concrete, role-specific documentation rather than a generic training narrative.
Target utilities and EPC firms with active E-Verify history
Use Migrate Mate to filter Substation Engineer listings by employers already enrolled in E-Verify. Engineering, Procurement, and Construction firms and investor-owned utilities account for the bulk of substation staffing and are more likely to have structured OPT onboarding processes.
File your extension request 90 days before OPT expires
USCIS requires your STEM OPT extension application to be submitted no earlier than 90 days before your initial OPT ends. Missing this window means losing continuous work authorization, so coordinate your I-765 filing timeline with your DSO as soon as you accept an offer.
Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Substation Engineer role qualify for the STEM OPT extension?
Yes, if your degree falls under a STEM-designated CIP code such as Electrical Engineering (14.1001) or Power Systems Engineering. The role itself must also align with your degree field. USCIS evaluates both your credential and whether the job involves applying that STEM knowledge directly. Confirm your CIP code with your DSO before applying.
What E-Verify requirement applies to my STEM OPT employer?
Every employer who hires you on a STEM OPT extension must be enrolled in E-Verify and remain enrolled for the full duration of your authorization. You can check enrollment status through the E-Verify employer search before accepting an offer. An employer who is not enrolled cannot legally employ you on the 24-month extension, regardless of offer terms.
What should my I-983 training plan include for a Substation Engineer position?
Your I-983 must document specific learning objectives tied to the actual work, such as protection system design, SCADA integration, relay coordination studies, or substation commissioning. Generic language like 'engineering tasks' will not satisfy USCIS review. Work with your supervisor to map project milestones to measurable STEM outcomes before your DSO submits the plan.
How does cap-gap protection apply if I'm a Substation Engineer on STEM OPT?
If your employer files an H-1B visa petition on your behalf before your STEM OPT expires and you're selected in the lottery, cap-gap automatically extends your work authorization through September 30 of that fiscal year. You can continue working as a Substation Engineer during this period without interruption, as long as the petition remains pending or approved.
Where can I find Substation Engineer jobs from E-Verify-enrolled employers?
Migrate Mate lists Substation Engineer roles from employers already enrolled in E-Verify, so you're not manually cross-checking every posting. The platform surfaces relevant openings in utilities, transmission companies, and EPC firms that have active STEM OPT hiring experience, saving you the step of verifying eligibility separately for each employer.