Substation Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Substation Engineer jobs in Virginia are in strong demand, concentrated in the electric utility, defense infrastructure, and data center development sectors, with openings at every level from junior field engineers through senior project leads and principal designers. The busiest hiring markets are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where employers such as Dominion Energy, Burns & McDonnell, and Leidos maintain significant operations and long-term project pipelines. Protection and control engineering, high-voltage transmission design, and SCADA integration are the most consistently sought specialties across Virginia postings. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 20+ Substation Engineer jobs
Description
The Staff Substation P&C Engineer will work under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer to develop protection and control design deliverables for new and modified high-voltage (13kV to 765kV) electrical power substation projects. The Staff Substation P&C Engineer will work with the project team through the design and construction process, adapting engineering plans according to budget constraints, design factors, or client needs.
While this is a substation protection and control position, assignments in substation physical design may also be made based on project and team needs.
We are especially looking for experience with SCADA and communications.
Responsibilities include:
- Supports substation protection and control design from concept through completion, including, but not limited to, relaying one-line and three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, panel layouts and wiring diagrams, cable schedules, and SCADA and communications.
- Develops substation calculations, including, but not limited to, AC station service, DC systems and battery sizing, voltage drop, and cable sizing.
- Prepares design sketches, cost estimates, equipment specifications, bills of material, and other required deliverables.
- Applies intermediate knowledge of IEEE, NESC, and other industry and utility standards, guides, and specifications.
- Maintains a working knowledge of substation physical design, coordinates with the physical team on interfaces between disciplines, and executes physical work as needed.
- Supports field inspections, project research, and client presentations as directed by project managers.
- Works with the project manager and team to resolve issues, meet schedule, and follow internal QA/QC guidelines to impress clients with high-quality deliverables.
- Performs design quality reviews and uses them to coach less experienced engineers.
- Mentors less experienced engineers and designers, sharing technical knowledge and guiding them as they build skills on project assignments.
- Develops relationships with key client points of contact and supports the preparation of proposals.
Strongly preferred:
- Experience with SCADA and communications.
- Proficient in.
- Scoping/Development/Early Design.
- Relay One-Line/Three-Line Diagrams & Schematics.
- Relay Wiring.
- Calculations & Studies.
- Protective Relaying in Various Applications/Zones.
- Brownfield Substation Design.
- Greenfield Substation Design.
Familiar with:
- Major Equipment
Software:
- Proficiency in MicroStation.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD.
- Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Teams.
- Proficiency in ProjectWise or SharePoint.
What you’ll gain:
Ownership of substation design packages on projects from 13kV to 765kV for various utility-scale and other clients, in a collaborative environment where everyone is driven and excited by helping each other succeed. Opportunities to expand your knowledge in new skill areas, improve the skillset of less experienced engineers on your team through mentorship, and grow toward leading projects at the Senior level.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program.
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical or related Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited program and successful completion of Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
- 3 years of engineering experience required, preferably in substation protection and control design; consulting preferred.
- Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering may be substituted for 1 year experience.
Protection & Control:
- Strong knowledge of AC/DC fundamentals, including understanding of three-phase power systems.
- Knowledge of basic protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeders, and major substation equipment.
- Familiarity with microprocessor-based protection and control systems with the ability to understand one-lines and control schematics.
General:
- Familiarity with relevant codes and standards such as NEC, NESC, IEEE, NEMA, and ANSI.
- Successful completion (i.e. passing) FE or EIT, or PE, preferred.
- Strong knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem-solving environment and demonstrated critical thinking skills.
- Proficient in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
- Strong computer skills. (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
Compensation
$115,000.00-190,000.00 Yearly
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
Benefits
Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Electrical Engineering
Primary Location US-VA-Richmond
Other Locations US-MD-Baltimore, US-DC-Washington, US-NC-Raleigh
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Req ID: 265301
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D N/A
Description
The Staff Substation P&C Engineer will work under the supervision of a licensed professional engineer to develop protection and control design deliverables for new and modified high-voltage (13kV to 765kV) electrical power substation projects. The Staff Substation P&C Engineer will work with the project team through the design and construction process, adapting engineering plans according to budget constraints, design factors, or client needs.
While this is a substation protection and control position, assignments in substation physical design may also be made based on project and team needs.
We are especially looking for experience with SCADA and communications.
Responsibilities include:
- Supports substation protection and control design from concept through completion, including, but not limited to, relaying one-line and three-line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, panel layouts and wiring diagrams, cable schedules, and SCADA and communications.
- Develops substation calculations, including, but not limited to, AC station service, DC systems and battery sizing, voltage drop, and cable sizing.
- Prepares design sketches, cost estimates, equipment specifications, bills of material, and other required deliverables.
- Applies intermediate knowledge of IEEE, NESC, and other industry and utility standards, guides, and specifications.
- Maintains a working knowledge of substation physical design, coordinates with the physical team on interfaces between disciplines, and executes physical work as needed.
- Supports field inspections, project research, and client presentations as directed by project managers.
- Works with the project manager and team to resolve issues, meet schedule, and follow internal QA/QC guidelines to impress clients with high-quality deliverables.
- Performs design quality reviews and uses them to coach less experienced engineers.
- Mentors less experienced engineers and designers, sharing technical knowledge and guiding them as they build skills on project assignments.
- Develops relationships with key client points of contact and supports the preparation of proposals.
Strongly preferred:
- Experience with SCADA and communications.
- Proficient in.
- Scoping/Development/Early Design.
- Relay One-Line/Three-Line Diagrams & Schematics.
- Relay Wiring.
- Calculations & Studies.
- Protective Relaying in Various Applications/Zones.
- Brownfield Substation Design.
- Greenfield Substation Design.
Familiar with:
- Major Equipment
Software:
- Proficiency in MicroStation.
- Proficiency in AutoCAD.
- Proficiency in Bluebeam Revu.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Excel.
- Proficiency in Microsoft Teams.
- Proficiency in ProjectWise or SharePoint.
What you’ll gain:
Ownership of substation design packages on projects from 13kV to 765kV for various utility-scale and other clients, in a collaborative environment where everyone is driven and excited by helping each other succeed. Opportunities to expand your knowledge in new skill areas, improve the skillset of less experienced engineers on your team through mentorship, and grow toward leading projects at the Senior level.
Qualifications
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering or related degree from an ABET accredited program.
- Bachelor of Science in Electrical or related Engineering Technology from an ABET accredited program and successful completion of Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
- 3 years of engineering experience required, preferably in substation protection and control design; consulting preferred.
- Master of Science degree in Electrical Engineering may be substituted for 1 year experience.
Protection & Control:
- Strong knowledge of AC/DC fundamentals, including understanding of three-phase power systems.
- Knowledge of basic protection principles and practices for transmission lines, distribution feeders, and major substation equipment.
- Familiarity with microprocessor-based protection and control systems with the ability to understand one-lines and control schematics.
General:
- Familiarity with relevant codes and standards such as NEC, NESC, IEEE, NEMA, and ANSI.
- Successful completion (i.e. passing) FE or EIT, or PE, preferred.
- Strong knowledge in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills.
- Ability to work methodically and analytically in a quantitative problem-solving environment and demonstrated critical thinking skills.
- Proficient in standard engineering techniques and procedures.
- Strong computer skills. (e.g. Microsoft Office Suite).
Compensation
$115,000.00-190,000.00 Yearly
The expected compensation range for this position is displayed in compliance with all local/state regulations. The expected compensation range for this position is based on a number of factors, including but not limited to: individual education, qualifications, prior work experience and work location. The total annual compensation package will consist of a base salary and eligibility to participate in our discretionary year-end incentive bonus program.
Benefits
Our extensive benefits package takes care of you so that you can focus on doing great work. From insurance and disability to time off and wellness programs, we provide the tools to meet your needs. As part of being 100% employee-owned, eligible employees participate in our Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP) in addition to our 401(k) retirement program. For more information, please visit the Benefits & Wellness page.
This job posting will remain open a minimum of 72 hours and on an ongoing basis until filled.
EEO/Disabled/Veterans
Job Electrical Engineering
Primary Location US-VA-Richmond
Other Locations US-MD-Baltimore, US-DC-Washington, US-NC-Raleigh
Schedule: Full-time
Travel: Yes, 10 % of the Time
Req ID: 265301
Job Hire Type Experienced #LI-JNH #T&D N/A
See All 20 Substation Engineer Jobs in Virginia
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Find Substation Engineer JobsSubstation Engineer Jobs by City in Virginia
Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Substation Engineer Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in substation engineer jobs across Virginia.
- Active Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects
- Bachelor's degree in electrical engineering or closely related engineering discipline from an accredited program
- Hands-on experience designing or commissioning medium- and high-voltage substation equipment and layouts
- Proficiency with protection and control systems including relay coordination, SCADA, and HMI configuration
- Familiarity with applicable standards including IEEE, NESC, and NERC reliability requirements for substation work
- Ability to perform field walkdowns, site inspections, and construction oversight at energized or de-energized substations
Substation Engineer Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a substation engineer in Virginia?
Most Virginia employers require a Professional Engineer license issued or recognized by the Virginia Board for Architects, Professional Engineers, Land Surveyors, Certified Interior Designers, and Landscape Architects, which involves passing the Fundamentals of Engineering exam, gaining qualifying experience, and then passing the Principles and Practice of Engineering exam. Entry starts with a bachelor's degree in electrical engineering. Many candidates begin as engineer-in-training, working under a licensed PE while accumulating the experience hours Virginia requires for full licensure.
Which companies hire substation engineers in Virginia?
Employers hiring substation engineers in Virginia right now include WSP, Burns & McDonnell, and Sargent & Lundy, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Virginia's concentration of investor-owned utilities, federal defense contractors, and large engineering firms supporting data center expansion means demand comes from a broad range of employer types across the state.
Which Virginia cities have the most substation engineer jobs?
The Virginia cities with the most substation engineer openings are Richmond, Wytheville, and Reston. Northern Virginia's massive data center build-out and proximity to federal infrastructure clients drives much of the volume there, Richmond anchors Dominion Energy's transmission and distribution operations, and Hampton Roads supports naval and defense-related power infrastructure projects that require substation expertise.
Are there remote substation engineer jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Substation engineering is a heavily field-oriented discipline requiring site visits, commissioning work, and hands-on equipment coordination, which limits full remote arrangements. About 57% of substation engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in design review, relay setting calculations, and project management functions that do not require daily on-site presence.
How can I get hired as a substation engineer in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to a new-graduate engineer or engineer-in-training role at a Virginia utility or engineering firm while pursuing your Engineer-in-Training registration through the Virginia Board. Dominion Energy and large engineering consultancies such as Burns & McDonnell and Leidos run structured new-grad programs that rotate candidates through substation design, field work, and protection and control. Candidates who hold the EIT credential and have completed relevant coursework in power systems or worked in an adjacent role such as electrical designer or relay technician move to the front of the consideration pool.
Where can I find and apply to substation engineer jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to substation engineer jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across utilities, engineering firms, and defense contractors. Find the roles that fit your experience and specialty and apply directly from the listing.
See All 20 Substation Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Substation Engineer Jobs