Substation Design Engineer Jobs
Substation Design Engineer jobs are open across electric utilities, engineering consultancies, renewable energy developers, and EPC contractors, from entry-level to senior and principal, with specializations in high-voltage design, protection and control, and SCADA integration. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Are you ready to be part of a company that's not just talking about the future, but actively shaping it? Join The AES Corporation, the largest US-based global power company with a team of 8,300 employees across 12 countries.
AES has been ranked #1 by BloombergNEF in renewable energy sales to corporations in the US and Americas for five consecutive years, providing electricity for millions of people worldwide.
We are proud to foster a strong workplace culture, earning prominent positions in Great Place to Work™ rankings across the markets where we operate. AES was also named one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies for the 13th consecutive year in 2026, highlighting our dedication to integrity, transparency, and responsible business practices.
Our spirit of innovation continues to earn industry recognition. AES is the only seven-time winner of the Edison Electric Institute’s Edison Awards in the twenty-first century, a distinction honoring global leadership in advancing the electric power industry.
If you're ready to be part of a company that's not just adapting to change, but driving it, AES is the place for you. We're not just building a more sustainable future, we're powering it. Apply now and energize your career with a true leader in global energy.
At AES Ohio, we're powering the future by delivering safe, reliable, and sustainable energy solutions to the communities we serve. We're looking for a Substation Design Engineer who is eager to make a meaningful impact, collaborate with experienced professionals, and grow their engineering career while helping shape the electric grid of tomorrow.
Whether you're building on early-career experience or bringing established expertise, you'll have the opportunity to work on critical infrastructure projects, develop specialized technical skills, and contribute to the reliability of the energy system that supports thousands of customers every day.
Why Join AES Ohio?
- Work on impactful projects that strengthen and modernize the electric grid.
- Collaborate with experienced engineers, construction teams, and industry experts.
- Gain exposure to high-voltage substation design and project lifecycle management.
- Access professional development opportunities, mentorship, and career growth pathways.
- Be part of a company that prioritizes safety, innovation, sustainability, and inclusion.
- Contribute to a purpose-driven organization committed to powering communities and advancing the energy transition.
What You'll Do
As a Substation Design Engineer, you will support the planning, design, and delivery of electrical substation projects ranging from 12kV to 345kV. You will work closely with multidisciplinary teams to develop engineering solutions that are safe, reliable, and aligned with industry standards.
Key Responsibilities
- Develop detailed designs for all or portions of electrical substations, including: Physical layouts One-line diagrams Protection and control schematics Wiring diagrams
- Create comprehensive engineering design packages in accordance with AES Ohio standards and applicable industry requirements, including IEEE and NERC standards.
- Prepare technical specifications for materials and services and support evaluation of vendor proposals and procurement activities.
- Partner with field operations and construction teams to provide technical guidance during construction, maintenance, and commissioning activities.
- Support the planning, design, and execution of substation capital projects.
- Contribute to the continuous improvement of engineering standards, processes, and design databases.
- Participate in storm restoration and emergency response efforts when needed, helping restore service to customers safely and efficiently.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience with Bentley MicroStation or comparable CAD/design software.
- Successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) Exam.
- Knowledge of electrical substation equipment, including transformers, circuit breakers, relays, instrument transformers, disconnect switches, and related systems.
- Understanding of engineering design principles, power systems, and utility infrastructure.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Office applications, including Outlook and Excel.
- Commitment to safety and the ability to incorporate safe design practices into all phases of engineering work.
Success in This Role
This role may be a great fit if you:
- Enjoy solving complex technical challenges.
- Thrive in collaborative, team-oriented environments.
- Communicate effectively with both technical and non-technical stakeholders.
- Are organized, detail-oriented, and able to manage multiple priorities.
- Have a strong desire to learn, grow, and contribute to the future of energy infrastructure.
Substation Design Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsSubstation Design Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Quanta Services24

- Quanta Infrastructure Solutions24

- Kimley-Horn12

- Electrical Consultants8

- Qualus6

Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services12
- Construction & Real Estate6
- Energy4
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substation design engineer jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field
- Experience producing substation one-line diagrams, physical layouts, and protection and control drawings
- Proficiency in AutoCAD or MicroStation for substation design deliverables
- Familiarity with NESC, IEEE, and NERC standards applicable to substation projects
- Experience with power system analysis software such as ETAP or SKM Power Tools
- Professional Engineer license or active progress toward PE licensure preferred
Tips for Your Substation Design Engineer Job Search
Tailor your resume to voltage class
Recruiters scan for specific voltage levels like 115kV, 230kV, or 500kV. Call out the exact transmission and distribution voltages you've designed for in your experience section so your resume clears automated screening for the right tier of projects.
List your design software by name
Employers filter for AutoCAD, MicroStation, SKM Power Tools, ETAP, and SEL software proficiency. Don't bury these under a generic 'design tools' line. Name each package and the deliverable type you produced with it, such as protection coordination studies or one-line diagrams.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists substation design engineer openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Filter openings by project type
Utility-scale solar interconnection, transmission expansion, and grid hardening projects each demand different deliverables. Search for job postings that name the project type your experience aligns with so your application connects directly to what the hiring team needs right now.
Prepare a technical portfolio before interviews
Pull together one-line diagrams, physical layout drawings, or protection and control panel schedules from past projects, with client names redacted if needed. Interviewers at engineering consultancies and utilities routinely ask candidates to walk through real deliverables during technical rounds.
Negotiate using scope, not just title
When an offer comes in below your target, counter by referencing the voltage class and project complexity you'll own, not just years of experience. Employers with large capital programs often have more flexibility on project lead allowances and bonus structures than on base salary bands.
Substation Design Engineer Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most substation design engineers?
The companies hiring the most substation design engineers right now include Quanta Services, Quanta Infrastructure Solutions, and Kimley-Horn, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Florida, and North Carolina, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is concentrated at EPC contractors, regional utilities, and engineering consultancies supporting transmission expansion and renewable interconnection projects.
How many substation design engineer jobs are remote?
About 33% of substation design engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the nature of a role tied closely to site-specific design deliverables. Protection and control engineering and power systems study work are the sub-areas most likely to appear as remote or hybrid positions, since those tasks rely more on software tools than on field coordination.
How do you become a substation design engineer?
Start with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, then build foundational skills in power systems coursework covering protection, grounding, and load flow analysis. Entry-level roles at utilities or EPC firms let you produce substation drawings under a senior engineer's review. From there, gaining exposure to multiple voltage classes and earning your PE license positions you for independent design responsibility and senior roles.
Can you get hired as a substation design engineer without direct experience?
Yes, utilities and engineering firms hire entry-level candidates who have relevant coursework in power systems, internship experience in any electrical design environment, and working knowledge of AutoCAD or MicroStation. Highlighting academic projects involving one-line diagrams, relay coordination, or grounding grid calculations helps your application stand out against other early-career candidates competing for the same training-track positions.
What does the substation design engineer interview process look like?
Most processes include an initial screening call focused on your engineering background and software proficiency, followed by a technical interview where you'll walk through past design deliverables or answer questions on protection coordination, grounding, and equipment sizing. Final rounds at larger utilities or EPC firms often add a panel interview with project managers and a review of a take-home or in-person design exercise.
Where can I find and apply to substation design engineer jobs?
You can find and apply to substation design engineer jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience level, voltage class background, and preferred location, then apply directly to each one that fits.
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