TN Visa Substation Engineer Jobs
Substation Engineer roles qualify for TN visa sponsorship under the USMCA treaty's engineer category, covering power systems design, protection relay configuration, and grid interconnection work. Canadian citizens can apply at the port of entry with no cap or lottery. Mexican citizens require a consular appointment. A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering is required.
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Get Access To All JobsSubstation Project Engineer
- (194470)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
The primary duties of the Substation Project Engineer include responsibility for knowledge and execution of the technical aspects and deliverables of projects assigned and is an experienced, competent engineer who generally understands and can complete all technical requirements of projects of basic to moderate complexity.
Responsibilities:
- Developing design deliverables including substation physical layouts, material lists, conduit and cable sizing/routing, substation grounding, and major equipment wiring diagrams
- Preparation of engineering drawings, calculations, analyses, reports, and designs for electrical substations (Low, Medium and High Voltage)
- Prepare equipment specifications for procurement and/or factory acceptance testing
- Coordinating design activities with other departments (Civil, Structural, Transmission Line, etc.)
- Assigns tasks and provides guidance to junior team members, and coordinates QC reviews for work performed by junior level engineers and/or designers
- Work with Senior Engineers and the Business Class Leader to identify and develop specific technical expertise and will attend training and seminars focused on further development and understanding of complex concepts related to their discipline
- Responsible for quality control reviews of projects from other teams on an as needed basis
- Works independently and may direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise efforts of less-experienced EIT's and/or Designers
- Performing site visits during the design, construction, and as-built phases of projects
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Architectural Engineering with an Electrical emphasis
- California P.E. License
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in substation design
- Specific experience performing aspects associated with substation design including substation layouts, plans, sections and details, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, conduit plans and details, auxiliary AC/DC power systems, and associated bills of material
- Strong computer skills, AutoCAD, Microstation, Microsoft Office and electrical design software (e.g., CDEGS)
- Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm desired
- Some travel may be required
- Preference will be given candidates local to the Irvine, CA area
- Prior experience consulting or working for an electric utility considered a plus
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license
- Previous experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector
- Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Irvine: $93,000 - $133,000
LOCATION:
Primary Location: United States-California-Irvine
Industry:
Power
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Substation Engineering
Job Posting:
Jul 23, 2026
Substation Project Engineer
- (194470)
At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. As we foster a culture of inclusion throughout our company and within our communities, we constantly ask ourselves: What is our impact on the world?
Each and every role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Read further to learn how you could help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.
We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry-recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century. You’ll work side-by-side with these experts and contribute to reliable, resilient and sustainable power systems, helping communities thrive and industries expand. This isn’t just a job, it’s a chance to drive infrastructure forward, power innovation and leave your mark on our energy future.
The primary duties of the Substation Project Engineer include responsibility for knowledge and execution of the technical aspects and deliverables of projects assigned and is an experienced, competent engineer who generally understands and can complete all technical requirements of projects of basic to moderate complexity.
Responsibilities:
- Developing design deliverables including substation physical layouts, material lists, conduit and cable sizing/routing, substation grounding, and major equipment wiring diagrams
- Preparation of engineering drawings, calculations, analyses, reports, and designs for electrical substations (Low, Medium and High Voltage)
- Prepare equipment specifications for procurement and/or factory acceptance testing
- Coordinating design activities with other departments (Civil, Structural, Transmission Line, etc.)
- Assigns tasks and provides guidance to junior team members, and coordinates QC reviews for work performed by junior level engineers and/or designers
- Work with Senior Engineers and the Business Class Leader to identify and develop specific technical expertise and will attend training and seminars focused on further development and understanding of complex concepts related to their discipline
- Responsible for quality control reviews of projects from other teams on an as needed basis
- Works independently and may direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise efforts of less-experienced EIT's and/or Designers
- Performing site visits during the design, construction, and as-built phases of projects
- Perform other duties as needed
Preferred Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or Architectural Engineering with an Electrical emphasis
- California P.E. License
- A minimum of 5 years of experience in substation design
- Specific experience performing aspects associated with substation design including substation layouts, plans, sections and details, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, conduit plans and details, auxiliary AC/DC power systems, and associated bills of material
- Strong computer skills, AutoCAD, Microstation, Microsoft Office and electrical design software (e.g., CDEGS)
- Previous experience with an architectural/engineering or engineering consulting firm desired
- Some travel may be required
- Preference will be given candidates local to the Irvine, CA area
- Prior experience consulting or working for an electric utility considered a plus
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering
- Professional Engineer (PE or P.Eng) license
- Previous experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector
- Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software (examples include PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit)
- An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee-owned culture
What We Believe
HDR is our company. Together, we build on each other's life experiences and perspectives to make great things possible every day. This shapes our collaborative culture, encourages organizational trust and connects us closer to the clients and communities we serve.
Our Commitment
As employee owners, we all have a role in creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day.
Our eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) help create a sense of belonging and foster a supportive environment where everyone is empowered to engage and contribute. Each group has an executive sponsor and is open to all employees.
We provide a comprehensive benefits package that promotes employee ownership, employee health, performance, and success, which includes medical, dental, vision, short and long-term disability, life insurance, an employee assistance program, paid time away, parental leave, paid holidays, a retirement savings plan with employer match, employee referral bonus and tuition reimbursement. The expected compensation range for this position depends upon skills, experience, education and geographical location. (Stated benefits are for full-time regular positions. Temporary and part-time roles eligible for limited benefits.) Irvine: $93,000 - $133,000
LOCATION:
Primary Location: United States-California-Irvine
Industry:
Power
Schedule:
Full-time
Employee Status:
Regular
Business Class:
Substation Engineering
Job Posting:
Jul 23, 2026
See all 153+ TN Visa Substation Engineer Jobs
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Get Access To All JobsTips for Finding TN Visa Sponsorship as a Substation Engineer
Align your credentials to USMCA engineer requirements
TN visa eligibility requires a degree in engineering, not just a related field. A bachelor's in electrical engineering maps cleanly to substation roles. A degree in a tangentially related discipline will likely draw CBP scrutiny at the border or consulate.
Target utilities and EPC firms with active TN hiring
Investor-owned utilities, rural electric cooperatives, and engineering-procurement-construction firms regularly hire substation engineers and have internal processes for TN sponsorship. Avoid startups or contractors who have never filed a TN petition before.
Get your job offer letter to specify engineering duties
Your offer letter is your TN application. CBP officers look for explicit references to engineering tasks like protection coordination, SCADA integration, or substation design. A generic title without technical scope has a higher rejection risk.
Search TN-sponsored substation roles through Migrate Mate
Use Migrate Mate to filter specifically for substation engineer positions where employers have confirmed TN sponsorship. This cuts out roles where you'd spend weeks negotiating a visa process the employer has never handled.
Prepare for Mexican nationals' consular documentation requirements
Mexican citizens applying at a U.S. consulate need a DS-160, the employer's support letter, degree certificates, and professional license documentation. Consular wait times vary significantly by post, so confirm appointment availability before accepting an offer start date.
Verify your employer can support same-day Canadian TN approvals
Canadian citizens can be admitted as TN nonimmigrants at the port of entry the same day, but your employer must have the complete documentation package ready before you travel. Confirm they've done this before, or arrange the package yourself with HR in advance.
Substation Engineer TN Visa: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Substation Engineer role qualify for TN visa status?
Yes. Substation engineers qualify under the USMCA engineer category, which covers electrical engineering roles involving power systems design, protection relay coordination, and grid infrastructure work. Your offer letter must describe engineering-level duties. Roles framed as construction supervision or project coordination without a clear engineering scope can complicate the classification at the port of entry or consulate.
How does TN visa sponsorship compare to H-1B for Substation Engineers?
TN is substantially more practical for this role. There's no annual lottery, no cap for Canadian citizens, and no multi-month USCIS adjudication wait. Canadian citizens can be approved at the port of entry the same day. H-1B visa requires employer sponsorship, a March lottery registration, and an October 1 start date at earliest. For substation engineers with a qualifying degree, TN is the faster and more predictable path.
What documentation does a Substation Engineer need for a TN application?
You need a detailed offer letter from a U.S. employer describing your engineering duties, your original degree certificate or transcript, and professional credentials if applicable. Canadian citizens present these at the port of entry. Mexican citizens also need a completed DS-160 form and a scheduled consulate appointment. If your degree title doesn't clearly indicate electrical engineering, a credential evaluation from a recognized body strengthens the application.
Where can I find Substation Engineer jobs with TN visa sponsorship?
Migrate Mate is built specifically for Canadian and Mexican professionals searching for U.S. roles with confirmed TN visa sponsorship. Unlike general job boards, Migrate Mate filters by visa type so you're only seeing employers who have already committed to sponsoring TN status, which saves significant time in the job search and negotiation process.
Can a Substation Engineer on TN status switch employers?
Yes, but TN status is tied to your current employer. To switch, your new employer must provide a qualifying offer letter and you must obtain new TN authorization before starting work. Canadian citizens can do this at a port of entry. Mexican citizens need a new consulate appointment. There's no formal portability provision like H-1B's AC21, so plan the transition timeline carefully with both employers.