Substation Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Substation Engineer jobs in Illinois are active across the state's electric utility, infrastructure modernization, and industrial power sectors, with openings from entry-level design roles through senior project engineers. Chicago, Rockford, and Peoria are the primary hiring centers, where companies like Commonwealth Edison (ComEd), Ameren Illinois, and S&C Electric have deep, lasting footprints in the market. Protection and control systems, SCADA integration, and high-voltage substation design are the specialties drawing the most consistent demand. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
Find Substation Engineer JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 34+ Substation Engineer jobs
Joining the power team at GFT means engaging in cutting-edge projects that drive the future of energy infrastructure. Our team excels in providing solutions for power transmission, distribution, and renewable energy, utilizing advanced technologies and creative problem-solving to meet today’s diverse energy needs. Be part of a dynamic group dedicated to enhancing system reliability, sustainability, and efficiency while shaping the energy landscape for a resilient and sustainable future. Discover some of our signature power and energy projects here.
What you’ll be challenged to do:
As a Principal Substation Engineer, you will lead or support utility and power substation projects and clients.
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Develop substation layout drawings including, plan and elevations, yard layouts, grounding, grounding details, raceway, raceway details, control building layouts, cable lists, and material lists on new and existing substations.
- Develop substation one lines, three lines, Aux AC Power Systems, DC Power Systems, DC Schematics, SCADA and Communications Systems, Relay Panel Layouts, Equipment Wiring, and Cable Schedules for new and existing substations.
- Prepare calculations and reports presenting the calculations to clients.
- Prepare equipment specifications, for substation equipment, components, and construction.
- Responsible for managing the technical, financial, and scheduling aspects of substation projects.
- May act in th capacity of project manager, client manager or capture/proposal manager.
- Build, maintain, and manage the necessary skills, resources, and expertise to develop and deliver strategic services, partnerships, programs, and projects.
- Collaborate internally to pursue power substation projects regionally and nationally with the objective of increasing GFT presence in the power delivery business.
- Provides QA/QC reviews.
-
Mentor or lead a staff of engineers and other technical specialist
Develop and nurture client relationships and work across multiple disciplines in other offices. - Assume an active role in the preparation of proposals bids, reports and presentations
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
- Professional Engineer License
- 15 +years progressive experience in design, engineering and project management within power and utility industry.
- Interest in or direct experience working in the consulting engineering profession.
- Demonstrated ability with project management software and tools (Microsoft Project or similar) for scope, schedule, and budget management.
- Design experience in high voltage substation, and distribution projects.
- Experience in the creation of quality technical solutions and the design delivery of major power delivery projects.
- Commitment to driving strong business performance, continuous improvement, and best practices.
- Advanced Degree strongly preferred.
- Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation or Inventor
Compensation:
The salary range for this role is $147,000-$175,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.
Featured Benefits:
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
:
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives. GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™
GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
Location: Remote
Employment Status: Full-Time
#LI-NA1
"California Applicants"
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco - Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
Gannett Fleming does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
Application deadline 9/20/2026
Joining the power team at GFT means engaging in cutting-edge projects that drive the future of energy infrastructure. Our team excels in providing solutions for power transmission, distribution, and renewable energy, utilizing advanced technologies and creative problem-solving to meet today’s diverse energy needs. Be part of a dynamic group dedicated to enhancing system reliability, sustainability, and efficiency while shaping the energy landscape for a resilient and sustainable future. Discover some of our signature power and energy projects here.
What you’ll be challenged to do:
As a Principal Substation Engineer, you will lead or support utility and power substation projects and clients.
In this capacity, the successful candidate will be responsible for the following:
- Develop substation layout drawings including, plan and elevations, yard layouts, grounding, grounding details, raceway, raceway details, control building layouts, cable lists, and material lists on new and existing substations.
- Develop substation one lines, three lines, Aux AC Power Systems, DC Power Systems, DC Schematics, SCADA and Communications Systems, Relay Panel Layouts, Equipment Wiring, and Cable Schedules for new and existing substations.
- Prepare calculations and reports presenting the calculations to clients.
- Prepare equipment specifications, for substation equipment, components, and construction.
- Responsible for managing the technical, financial, and scheduling aspects of substation projects.
- May act in th capacity of project manager, client manager or capture/proposal manager.
- Build, maintain, and manage the necessary skills, resources, and expertise to develop and deliver strategic services, partnerships, programs, and projects.
- Collaborate internally to pursue power substation projects regionally and nationally with the objective of increasing GFT presence in the power delivery business.
- Provides QA/QC reviews.
-
Mentor or lead a staff of engineers and other technical specialist
Develop and nurture client relationships and work across multiple disciplines in other offices. - Assume an active role in the preparation of proposals bids, reports and presentations
- Minimum Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering.
- Professional Engineer License
- 15 +years progressive experience in design, engineering and project management within power and utility industry.
- Interest in or direct experience working in the consulting engineering profession.
- Demonstrated ability with project management software and tools (Microsoft Project or similar) for scope, schedule, and budget management.
- Design experience in high voltage substation, and distribution projects.
- Experience in the creation of quality technical solutions and the design delivery of major power delivery projects.
- Commitment to driving strong business performance, continuous improvement, and best practices.
- Advanced Degree strongly preferred.
- Experience with AutoCAD, MicroStation or Inventor
Compensation:
The salary range for this role is $147,000-$175,000. Salary is dependent upon experience and geographic location.
Featured Benefits:
- Hybrid (in-person and remote) work environment.
- Comprehensive benefits package including wellness programs, parental leave, and pet insurance, in addition to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life insurance.
- Tax-deferred 401(k) savings plan.
- Competitive paid-time-off (PTO) accrual.
- Tuition reimbursement for continued education.
- Commitment to professional development, access to internal and external training programs, and support of active participation in professional organizations
- Incentive compensation for eligible positions.
:
Our clients choose us for our expertise and prefer us for our nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch. Backed by over a century’s experience, together we’re building a lasting legacy for future generations: stronger communities, a healthier planet, and better lives. GFT: Ingenuity That Shapes Lives™
GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.
Unsolicited resumes from third party agencies will be considered the property GFT.
Location: Remote
Employment Status: Full-Time
#LI-NA1
"California Applicants"
Applicants in the County of Los Angeles - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.
Applicants in the City of San Francisco - Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Applicants in the State of California - Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the California Fair Chance Act.
Gannett Fleming does require the successful completion of a criminal background check for all advertised positions.
Application deadline 9/20/2026
See All 34 Substation Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Substation Engineer JobsSubstation Engineer Jobs by City in Illinois
Where Illinois roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Substation Engineer Job Market in Illinois
A snapshot from current Illinois openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Sargent & Lundy11
- ComEd3
- Black & Veatch3
- Arcadis2
- AMPED I2
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
- Energy
- Construction & Real Estate
- Transportation & Logistics
What Illinois Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substation engineer jobs across Illinois.
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or a closely related field required
- Professional Engineer license or active Illinois PE registration strongly preferred
- Experience with substation protection, control schemes, and relay coordination
- Proficiency in AutoCAD, CYME, ETAP, or similar power systems design software
- Familiarity with NERC reliability standards and IEEE substation design guides
- Ability to travel to substation sites across Illinois for field inspections and commissioning
Substation Engineer Jobs in Illinois: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substation engineer in Illinois?
Most substation engineers in Illinois start with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering, then pursue licensure through the Illinois Department of Financial and Professional Regulation as a Professional Engineer, which requires passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam followed by the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam after gaining qualifying work experience. Utility employers often hire candidates into rotational engineering programs before licensure is complete, and a PE license becomes essential for signing off on substation designs and studies.
Which companies hire substation engineers in Illinois?
Employers hiring substation engineers in Illinois right now include Sargent & Lundy, ComEd, and Black & Veatch, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Illinois's large investor-owned utilities, engineering consultancies serving the Midwest grid, and industrial manufacturers with high-voltage facilities are the most consistent sources of openings in the state.
Which Illinois cities have the most substation engineer jobs?
Chicago, Warrenville, and Oak Brook are the Illinois cities with the most substation engineer openings, driven by the concentration of major utility operations, engineering firm headquarters, and large industrial facilities in the Chicago metro, with Rockford and Peoria serving as secondary hubs for Ameren Illinois transmission projects and heavy manufacturing sites that require dedicated power infrastructure engineering.
Are there remote substation engineer jobs in Illinois?
Yes, but they're rare. Substation engineering is heavily field-dependent, involving on-site commissioning, relay testing, and physical design reviews that cannot be done remotely. About 60% of substation engineer openings tied to Illinois are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions typically cover the planning, relay coordination modeling, or protection study portions of the work rather than construction oversight or field commissioning.
How can I get hired as a substation engineer in Illinois with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a new-graduate engineering rotational program at one of Illinois's major utilities, where ComEd and Ameren Illinois both bring on entry-level engineers who rotate through transmission planning, substation design, and protection before settling into a specialty. Candidates with internships in power systems, coursework in relay protection or power electronics, and progress toward the Fundamentals of Engineering exam stand out, and roles titled junior protection engineer or electrical design engineer at consulting firms that serve Illinois utilities are strong lateral starting points.
Where can I find and apply to substation engineer jobs in Illinois?
You can find and apply to substation engineer jobs in Illinois on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 34 Substation Engineer Jobs in Illinois
Find roles in Illinois that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Substation Engineer Jobs