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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Showing 5 of 140+ Substation Design Engineer jobs
Overview:
Kimley-Horn's midtown Atlanta, GA office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join their Power Delivery team! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities:
- Perform conceptual and detailed HV and MV Substation Physical/Electrical design for utilities/substations (including basic layout, electrical arrangement, one line, three-line drawings, plan-section, grounding, AC and DC system drawings)
- Perform engineering studies and calculations
- Perform Quality Control reviews on substation physical design projects
- Assume the role of technical lead on projects with limited guidance
- Create and review bill of materials for substation physical projects
- Develop and review proposals, and scopes of work for smaller substation physical projects
- Plan and lead client meetings (or meeting sections) relating to physical design, as required
- Provide support for continued professional development of less experienced engineers in team, including technical guidance, and recommending training needs to the group
- Possess excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with the internal teams and clients to meet project objectives
- Develop leadership skills in preparation for future roles on the team
Qualifications
- 4+ years of relevant engineering experience in Substation Physical Design
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (or ability to obtain within 12 months)
- Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects
- Proficiency in using industry-standard design software such as AutoCAD
- Experience with grounding studies/lightning protection and lighting studies
- Experience with bus calculation
- Experience with CDEGS
Why Kimley-Horn?:
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
Overview:
Kimley-Horn's midtown Atlanta, GA office is seeking a Substation Physical Design Engineer with 4+ years of experience to join their Power Delivery team! This is not a remote position.
Responsibilities:
- Perform conceptual and detailed HV and MV Substation Physical/Electrical design for utilities/substations (including basic layout, electrical arrangement, one line, three-line drawings, plan-section, grounding, AC and DC system drawings)
- Perform engineering studies and calculations
- Perform Quality Control reviews on substation physical design projects
- Assume the role of technical lead on projects with limited guidance
- Create and review bill of materials for substation physical projects
- Develop and review proposals, and scopes of work for smaller substation physical projects
- Plan and lead client meetings (or meeting sections) relating to physical design, as required
- Provide support for continued professional development of less experienced engineers in team, including technical guidance, and recommending training needs to the group
- Possess excellent communication skills and the ability to interact with the internal teams and clients to meet project objectives
- Develop leadership skills in preparation for future roles on the team
Qualifications
- 4+ years of relevant engineering experience in Substation Physical Design
- Professional Engineering (P.E.) License (or ability to obtain within 12 months)
- Enjoys working in a fast-paced environment on multiple projects
- Proficiency in using industry-standard design software such as AutoCAD
- Experience with grounding studies/lightning protection and lighting studies
- Experience with bus calculation
- Experience with CDEGS
Why Kimley-Horn?:
At Kimley-Horn, we do things differently. People, clients, and employees are at the forefront of who we are. Clients know we prioritize achieving their goals and growing their success. Employees know our culture and approach to business are built on a desire to provide an environment for everyone to flourish. Our commitment to quality is only as good as the people behind it—that’s why we welcome and develop passionate, hardworking, and proactive employees. We take pride in how our employee retention, robust benefits package, and company values have led to Kimley-Horn’s placement on the Fortune “100 Best Companies to Work” list for 19 years!
Key Benefits at Kimley-Horn:
- Exceptional Retirement Plan: 2-to-1 company match on up to 4% of eligible compensation (salary + bonus) and additional profit-sharing contribution.
- Comprehensive Health Coverage: Low-cost medical, dental, and vision insurance options.
- Time Off: Personal leave, flexible scheduling, floating holidays, and half-day Fridays.
- Financial Wellness: Student loan matching in our 401(k), and performance-based bonuses.
- Professional Development: Tuition reimbursement and extensive internal training programs.
- Family-Friendly Benefits: New Parent Leave, family building benefits, and childcare resources.
Substation Design Engineer Jobs by Experience Level
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Find JobsSubstation Design Engineer Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Quanta Services25
- Quanta Infrastructure Solutions22
- Kimley-Horn16
- Electrical Consultants12
- GPD5
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services23
- Construction & Real Estate9
- Energy6
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, California, and Georgia, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 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 40% of substation design engineer openings are fully remote or hybrid as of September 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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