Substation Project Engineer

Pay: $65hr Notes: The strongest candidate is someone who can own/coordinate the project, communicate exceptionally well, manage EORs and vendors, understand the technical issues well enough to challenge and guide engineering decisions, and drive the project from early development through execution. Substation Project Engineer The Substation Project Engineer is responsible for supporting the development and execution of assigned substation projects from the early-stage conceptual phase through construction and commissioning. This role serves as a key technical and project management resource, coordinating internal stakeholders, external engineering firms, contractors, suppliers, and transmission owners to ensure projects are delivered safely, efficiently, on schedule, and within budget. The ideal candidate combines strong project management and communication skills with a solid understanding of high-voltage substation engineering and project execution. Direct engineering design experience is preferred but not required; strong project engineering, coordination, and technical oversight experience is highly valued.

Key Responsibilities: Support assigned substation projects from conception and early-stage development through construction and commissioning. Partner with the Early-Stage Project Manager and Development Group to define engineering requirements, project scope, technical assumptions, and execution strategies during the conceptual phase. Provide technical oversight and coordination of external Engineers of Record (EORs), ensuring designs comply with interconnection agreements, project specifications, site-specific requirements, IEEE, NESC, ASCE, and other applicable codes and standards. Develop scopes of work and coordinate with approved engineering and consulting suppliers to obtain bids, evaluate proposals, and support award recommendations through our Integrated Supply Chain (ISC) organization. Coordinate with internal stakeholders to support substation site selection, engineering updates, permitting, site data, and other requirements necessary to advance projects into design and construction. Coordinate the sourcing and contracting of geotechnical, surveying, engineering, and construction services, while supporting the E&C Cost Estimating Team with scope development and project assumptions. Serve as a primary E&C representative for assigned projects, coordinating with internal and external stakeholders and communicating project status, issues, risks, and mitigation strategies to various levels of management. Support Transmission Services in the review of interconnection documentation, including system impact studies, facility studies, reactive and harmonic studies, and interconnection agreements. Coordinate with transmission owners, operators, and ISOs to ensure project requirements, engineering designs, and deliverables are aligned with applicable transmission requirements, ISO requirements, and off-taker obligations. Manage long-lead major material requirements and orders to minimize schedule delays, supply-chain risk, and budget impacts. Support ISC with development, review, and approval of project scopes of work, as well as procurement activities for engineering services, equipment, and materials. Provide project feedback and technical input to the E&C Estimating Team to support estimating templates, scope assumptions, and future project development. Work collaboratively with engineering resources across multiple disciplines to establish project priorities, work plans, responsibilities, and lines of demarcation. Monitor project execution to ensure work is completed safely, efficiently, cost-effectively, and in accordance with company procedures, industry standards, and applicable policies. Support project commissioning activities and coordinate with appropriate stakeholders to ensure successful transition to operations. Support Legal and other corporate functions with regulatory filings, depositions, hearings, and other project-related matters as required. Collaborate with equipment and component OEMs to evaluate and adapt their designs to support project requirements and alignment with NEER engineering and execution standards. Proactively identify project risks, technical issues, schedule impacts, and cost concerns and work with stakeholders to develop and implement effective solutions.

Qualifications: Bachelor’s degree in Engineering is preferred.5+ years of experience supporting substation engineering, project engineering, or project management, preferably involving high-voltage substation projects. Strong understanding of high-voltage substation projects, engineering requirements, and project execution. Proven project management and coordination skills with the ability to manage multiple stakeholders, priorities, and deliverables. Strong communication and interpersonal skills, with the ability to effectively work with engineering firms, contractors, OEMs, transmission owners, ISOs, internal teams, and all levels of management. Ability to provide technical oversight and challenge engineering solutions without necessarily serving as the hands-on design engineer. Strong organizational skills and a bias for action, accountability, and problem-solving. Experience with project scope development, procurement, estimating, scheduling, contracting, and construction/commissioning is highly desirable. PMP and/or Professional Engineer (P.E.) license in a related discipline is a plus. Willingness to travel within North America as required.