Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Substation Electrical Engineer jobs in Illinois are actively in demand, concentrated in electric utility transmission and distribution, industrial power systems, and large-scale infrastructure projects, with openings at every level from entry-level design roles through senior project leads. The busiest hiring markets are Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria, where employers like ComEd, Ameren Illinois, and Sargent & Lundy maintain significant engineering operations. The most sought-after specialties are protective relay systems, high-voltage switchgear design, and SCADA integration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Location:
Chicago, IL, US Houston, TX, US Dallas, TX, US Austin, TX, US Fort Worth, TX, US Greenwood Village, CO, US Phoenix, AZ, US Overland Park, KS, US College Station, TX, US Bloomington, MN, US
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Company: Black & Veatch Family of Companies
Together, we own our company, our future, and our shared success.
As an employee-owned company, our people are Black & Veatch. We put them at the center of everything we do and empower them to grow, explore new possibilities and use their diverse talents and perspectives to solve humanity's biggest challenges in an ever-evolving world. With over 100 years of innovation in sustainable infrastructure and our expertise in engineering, procurement, consulting and construction, together we are building a world of difference.
Company : Black & Veatch Corporation
Req Id : 117002
Opportunity Type : Staff
Relocation eligible : Yes
Full time/Part time : Full-Time
Project Only Hire : No
Visa Sponsorship Available: No
Why Black and Veatch
Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity’s biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day one.
At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use. #LI-TF1
The Team
Black & Veatch is Ranked #4 Overall in Power by Engineering News-Record (2025). Our Technology, Industrial & Governments Team has specialized capabilities focused on the latest needs for clients in a fast-growth technology-led arena of advanced manufacturing, and generative AI computing including gigafactories, bio/ag tech, data centers and distributed infrastructure. By joining our market sector, you will have the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge technology and work with a team that moves quickly with decisions and expectations.
Our specialized team provides complete engineering, procurement, and construction new asset and operating asset services in the following areas:
Substations
Renewables Integration
HVDC/FACTS/STATCOM
Data Centers Integration
BESS Integration
The Opportunity
As an Electrical Project Engineer, you may have the opportunity to:
Function as a Technical Specialist or Project Lead Role, providing project coordination, guidance and expertise on assigned substation projects.
Support a variety of substation projects ranging up to 765kV in engineering detailed design and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC).
Develop protection and control design deliverables including protective relays, panel arrangements, one line/single line diagrams, three line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, relay panel wiring and equipment wiring within high voltage substation designs.
Develop physical design deliverables including yard layout plans, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, and auxiliary AC/DC power systems within high voltage substation designs.
Perform or oversee quality review of electrical substation design packages.
Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members.
Prepare electrical equipment specifications and Bills of Materials (BOM) for procurement and construction.
Communicate and coordinate project activities and activities with clients, vendors, subcontractors and other stakeholders.
Present proposals, designs and project activities.
Potential travel opportunities to client and vendor offices and/or project sites for design reviews, construction coordination and field verification.
Prepare and manage design budgets and schedules.
Provide support to business development or pursuit activities.
Key Responsibilities
Continues developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
Independently applies knowledge and complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks. May be responsible for ensuring compliance with B&V quality program. Provides related guidance and direction to others. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
Prepares a variety of complex engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects. Performs complex research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. May oversee collection, assimilation, and management of data for engineering work. Prepares complex engineering calculations following standard methods and principles. Manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis problems and methods. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members to develop depth of project execution staff. Reviews lower level engineering work or assignments. Is responsible for one or more of the following: leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
Actively coordinates with all other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects.
Responsible for assisting with identification of key client interests and drivers on low to moderately complex projects. Communicates client interests and drivers to project team members and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work on low to moderately complex projects. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities and may offer other services to clients.
Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area. May design a complete project of moderately complex scope or support multiple projects on the complex technical challenges. Actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring. May develop and apply advanced engineering concepts and approaches to unique engineering problems
Typically assists with performance management process, mentoring, recognition, and any corrective actions required. May participate in career planning, and learning and development. Actively mentors lower level professionals and identifies successors to train in the specifics of their role.
May assist with resource management strategy. May have responsibility of engineering resources for small groups of a single discipline.
May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:
Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
Approving timesheets and expense reports.
Preferred Qualifications
Extra High voltage (EHV) substation design experience (500kV+) – Physical and/or Protection & Controls
Project lead and technical specialist experience overseeing utility substation clients and projects
QA/QC Reviews – Quality Assurance/Quality Checks
Experience coordinating and communicating with Clients, Multidisciplinary Leads and Project Managers
Professional Engineer (PE) License
Proficient with Bluebeam Revu and Microsoft Office Programs (such as Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing.
Minimum of 5 years related work experience.
All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.
Certifications
Work Environment/Physical Demands
Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.
Compensation Transparency
In accordance with local requirements, the annual compensation ranges for this role are listed below by state or jurisdiction and reflect the applicable office location(s) within each. Final compensation is determined based on factors such as skills, experience, qualifications, internal alignment, geographic location, and other factors permitted by law.
State of Colorado: 120,406-201,080
State of Illinois: 120,406-201,080
State of Minnesota: 114,933-191,940
Competencies
Salary Plan
ENG: Engineering
Job Grade
016
Black & Veatch endeavors to make www.bv.com/careers accessible to any and all users. If you would like to contact us regarding the accessibility of our website or need assistance completing the application process because of a disability, please contact the Employee Relations Department at +1-913-359-1622 or via our accommodations request form. This contact information is for disability accommodation requests only; you may not use this contact information to inquire about the status of applications. General inquiries about the status of applications will not be returned.
Black & Veatch is committed to being an employer of choice by creating a valuable work experience that keeps our people engaged, productive, safe and healthy.
Our comprehensive benefits portfolio is a key component of this commitment and offers an array of health care benefits including but not limited to medical, dental and vision insurances along with disability and a robust wellness program.
To support a healthy work-life balance, we offer flexible work schedules, paid vacation and holiday time, sick time, and dependent sick time.
A variety of additional benefits are available to our professionals, including a company-matched 401k plan, adoption reimbursement, tuition reimbursement, vendor discounts, an employment referral program, AD&D insurance, pre-taxed accounts, voluntary legal plan and the B&V Credit Union. Professionals may also be eligible for a performance-based bonus program.
We are proud to be a 100 percent ESOP-owned company. As employee-owners, our professionals are empowered to drive not only their personal growth, but the company's long-term achievements - and they share in the financial rewards of the success through stock ownership.
By valuing diverse voices and perspectives, we cultivate an authentically inclusive environment for professionals and are able to provide innovative and effective solutions for clients.
BVH, Inc., its subsidiaries and its affiliated companies, complies with all Equal Employment Opportunity (EEO) laws and regulations. Black & Veatch does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, religion, color, sex, national origin, marital status, genetic information, sexual orientation, gender Identity and expression, disability, veteran status, pregnancy status or other status protected by law.
Notice to External Search Firms: Black & Veatch does not accept unsolicited resumes and will not be obligated to pay a placement fee for unsolicited resumes. Black & Veatch Talent Acquisition engages with search firms directly for hiring needs.
Nearest Major Market: Chicago
Job Segment: Project Engineer, Construction, Electrical Engineering, Electrical, Manufacturing Engineer, Engineering
See All 8 Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
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Find JobsSubstation Electrical Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Substation Electrical Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Construction & Real Estate
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substation electrical engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Illinois Professional Engineer license or eligibility for PE licensure through ILPELS
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program
- Experience with substation design standards including IEEE and NESC
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, ETAP, or similar power system modeling software
- Familiarity with protective relay coordination and high-voltage switchgear
- Ability to work on-site at active substations and travel to project locations
Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substation electrical engineer in Illinois?
The standard path starts with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET-accredited program, followed by passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam and gaining four years of progressive experience before applying for a Professional Engineer license through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation. Most Illinois utilities and engineering firms require or strongly prefer a licensed PE for lead engineering roles, while entry-level positions typically accept candidates who are EIT-certified and working toward full licensure.
How much do substation electrical engineers make in Illinois?
Substation electrical engineers in Illinois earn a median of about $107,860 a year, based on May 2025 Bureau of Labor Statistics wage data, ranging from around $75,470 for the lowest 10% to over $164,290 for the top 10%. Pay rises with experience, specialty, and employer.
Which companies hire substation electrical engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring substation electrical engineers in Illinois right now include Arcadis, GE Vernova, and AECOM, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Illinois's combination of large investor-owned utilities and major power engineering consultancies means openings appear across both direct utility employers and firms that serve clients statewide.
Which Illinois cities have the most substation electrical engineer jobs?
Chicago, Illinois, and Oak Brook have the most substation electrical engineer openings in Illinois. The Chicago metro dominates because ComEd's transmission and distribution network is headquartered there and draws a large cluster of supporting engineering consultancies, while Rockford and Peoria reflect Ameren Illinois infrastructure projects and the heavy industrial base that generates its own substation engineering demand.
Are there remote substation electrical engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Substation engineering is inherently field-intensive, requiring site visits, equipment inspections, and hands-on commissioning work that can't be done remotely. About 86% of substation electrical engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those arrangements typically apply only to the design, drafting, and project coordination portions of the role.
How can I get hired as a substation electrical engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is applying directly to utilities and large power engineering consultancies for new-graduate or engineer-in-training roles. ComEd and Ameren Illinois both run structured early-career programs that rotate new engineers through transmission planning, substation design, and field operations. Candidates with AutoCAD drafting experience or internships at Illinois utilities hold a clear edge, and passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam before applying signals readiness to employers who require eventual PE licensure.
Where can I find and apply to substation electrical engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to substation electrical engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current Illinois openings across utilities, engineering consultancies, and industrial employers. Find the roles that fit your experience and location, then apply directly to each one.
See All 8 Substation Electrical Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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