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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As a Substation Engineer Intern, you will be assigned to work on a project team in our Grid business unit and assist the engineering team members in the execution of their project work. These projects may involve the design of new and/or modifications and upgrades to transmission, substation, distribution, renewable, and battery energy storage system engineering projects.
Working under the direction of senior engineers, this internship will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your academic background in engineering in one or more of the following areas:
- Assist in the preparation of engineering calculations, specifications, and designs.
- Work on a variety of tasks associated with project reporting, such as tracking and evaluating project activities, project progress, and associated data.
- Be involved in power designs and the preparation of specifications for the procurement of major electrical power equipment and related installation services.
Essential skills and experience:
- Active enrollment in a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree with strong preference in an Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace or Chemical Engineering degree, and/or coursework including Coding, 3D Modeling/Design, and experience using agentic AI.
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools and principles involved in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models with the ability to visualize parts in 3D without the aid of a computer.
- Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
- Self-starter, proactive, and able to work independently with minimal direction.
- Ability to quickly identify and prioritize issues, create solutions, and meet deadlines.
Valued but not required skills and experience:
- Enrollment in a BS, MS, or equivalent degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
- Familiarity in designing or developing AI applications and/or agents.
- Demonstrated leadership experience within campus and/or the community.
- Minimum of a 3.0 GPA strongly preferred.
- Prior, related internship or co-op experience.
- You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
- Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
As a Substation Engineer Intern, you will be assigned to work on a project team in our Grid business unit and assist the engineering team members in the execution of their project work. These projects may involve the design of new and/or modifications and upgrades to transmission, substation, distribution, renewable, and battery energy storage system engineering projects.
Working under the direction of senior engineers, this internship will offer you the opportunity to utilize and expand your academic background in engineering in one or more of the following areas:
- Assist in the preparation of engineering calculations, specifications, and designs.
- Work on a variety of tasks associated with project reporting, such as tracking and evaluating project activities, project progress, and associated data.
- Be involved in power designs and the preparation of specifications for the procurement of major electrical power equipment and related installation services.
Essential skills and experience:
- Active enrollment in a Bachelor of Science or Master of Science degree with strong preference in an Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Aerospace or Chemical Engineering degree, and/or coursework including Coding, 3D Modeling/Design, and experience using agentic AI.
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools and principles involved in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and models with the ability to visualize parts in 3D without the aid of a computer.
- Strong organizational skills with high attention to detail.
- Self-starter, proactive, and able to work independently with minimal direction.
- Ability to quickly identify and prioritize issues, create solutions, and meet deadlines.
Valued but not required skills and experience:
- Enrollment in a BS, MS, or equivalent degree from an ABET Engineering Accreditation Commission-approved program.
- Familiarity in designing or developing AI applications and/or agents.
- Demonstrated leadership experience within campus and/or the community.
- Minimum of a 3.0 GPA strongly preferred.
- Prior, related internship or co-op experience.
- You are expected to take engineering problems from issue to solution using data and modern tools such as automation and AI to improve workflows, reduce rework, and deliver cost-effective designs.
- Many engineers in these roles build or use automation to create calculations, summarize technical documents, or draft design documentation, including appropriate use of agentic AI tools, with strong engineering judgment and verification of results.
- Programming or scripting (e.g., Python, MATLAB, advanced Excel) to automate calculations, design checks, reporting, or data transformation is valued but not required.
- We also value additional learning, such as a minor, certificate, or other training in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Software Engineering, or related fields that helps you apply automation or agentic AI to real engineering problems.
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & Wellness
- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
See All 22 Substation Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Energy
- Agriculture & Farming
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 HDR, Sargent & Lundy, and WSP, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 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, Glen Allen, 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 25% of substation engineer openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 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 22 Substation Engineer Jobs in Virginia
Find roles in Virginia that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Substation Engineer Jobs