Senior Electrical Engineer - Substation

Overview

SSOE is seeking a Senior Electrical Engineer (Substation) to lead the design of medium and high‑voltage electrical substations for utility, municipal, and industrial clients. This role focuses on creating safe, reliable, and efficient substation designs that meet client requirements, regulatory standards, and SSOE’s quality benchmarks. The engineer will collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to deliver innovative and cost‑effective solutions, and will often serve in responsible charge for project deliverables.

Why Join SSOE?

At SSOE, you'll work with amazing colleagues and be part of something big! We've consistently been named a ‘Great Place to Work’ and are experiencing the most successful years in our history. Along with industry‑leading salary compensation, you'll be eligible to purchase shares in the company — shares that have significantly outperformed both the S&P and Dow averages.

SSOE – The Best of Both Worlds

Our growth trajectory allows us to offer the opportunities normally associated with a large firm while embracing the collaborative and supportive culture often found in smaller firms. As a member of the SSOE team, you'll work on exciting and diverse projects for Fortune 100 clients around the globe, supported by the best technology for the task at hand. You'll experience our employee‑centric culture that strives to offer a healthy balance, flexible working arrangements, direct access to leadership at all levels, and a continuous learning mindset.

• 28% – of our employees have been with SSOE for 10 years or more.
• 15% – percentage of employees with tenure exceeding 15 years.
• 99% – our CEO’s approval rating on Glassdoor.
• 98% – portion of our clients who say they would recommend us to a colleague.

AI and Innovation

At SSOE, we don’t just talk about the future, we build it. As a leader in industry AI adoption, we empower our team to work smarter by providing responsible access to the industry leading AI Large Language Models, vibe-coding platforms, and securely integrating advanced tools into every role. From day one, you’ll receive the training and support needed to leverage AI as a core tool for enhancing productivity, sparking creativity, and streamlining complex workflows.

Responsibilities

Primary Responsibilities

• Interpret, organize, execute, and coordinate large substation engineering assignments with responsibility for budget, schedule, quality, and inter‑discipline coordination.
• Plan and develop engineering projects involving unique or complex problems, offering specialized expertise in substation engineering.
• Prepare substation layouts, one‑line and three‑line diagrams, schematics, and technical specifications.
• Coordinate designs for steel structures, foundations, grounding grids, buswork, raceway, and conduit systems.
• Specify and select substation equipment (e.g., transformers, breakers, switchgear, relays, instrument transformers).
• Perform power system studies and analyses to support design decisions (load flow, short circuit, protection coordination, arc‑flash).
• Provide design support during construction, respond to RFIs, and review/approve major items involving materials, equipment, and field construction.
• Stamp/seal drawings and documents, including those for which you serve as the professional in responsible charge, per applicable jurisdictional statutes.
• Plan, organize, supervise, and review the work of engineers and designers assigned to the project; participate in mentoring activities within the department.
• Maintain liaison with internal and external stakeholders, acting independently on technical matters within the substation discipline.

Compliance & Safety

• Ensure adherence to IEEE, ANSI, NEMA, NESC, and utility standards, as well as SSOE quality procedures.
• Implement safety protocols for high‑voltage environments within design practices and during construction support.

Coordination

• Collaborate with project managers, contractors, AHJs, and utility representatives to ensure design accuracy and constructability.
• Review vendor drawings and perform QA/QC checks on design deliverables; coordinate multi‑discipline interfaces.

Innovation

• Integrate SCADA systems, networking, and protective relaying into substation designs and upgrades.
• Stay current with emerging technologies and sustainability practices applicable to substation engineering.

What We Offer

• Competitive Salary: $130k – $170k / year depending on location, education, experience, and certifications.
• Bonus and Incentives: Eligibility for our annual target bonus/incentive program based on company and individual performance and goals.
• Ownership Opportunities: As an employee‑owned firm, we offer ownership opportunities to all employees at the associate level and above.
• Comprehensive Benefits: Health, dental, and vision insurance, life insurance, 401(k) with company match, professional development and training, generous PTO, and paid holidays.

Additional Perks

• Dynamic Culture: Supportive culture where you are an essential and highly valued member of our team.
• Exciting Projects: Work on innovative projects from inception to completion with global, market‑leading clients.
• Continuous Learning: A culture that celebrates curiosity, welcomes new ideas, and supports career growth.
• Career Stability: Diverse market sectors, project types, and geographies help insulate your career from economic cycles.
• Career Advancement: Structured career journey with abundant opportunities for growth and advancement.
• Holistic Compensation: Benefits that support well‑being, work‑life balance, and financial success.

Qualifications

Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering from an ABET‑accredited program; PE license preferred. EIT required if PE not yet obtained.
• Twelve (12)+ years of related practical experience in substation design and engineering. Experience in lieu of professional license may be considered at SSOE’s discretion.
• Demonstrated experience with substation physical layout design, including equipment arrangement, bus configurations, electrical clearances, grounding considerations, and overall yard layout for medium and high-voltage substations.
• Proven experience with Protection & Control (P&C) systems, including protective relaying, control schematics, relay protection schemes, SCADA integration, and related substation design deliverables.
• Demonstrated knowledge in: HV (>115 kV)/MV substation/switchgear design and substation yard layout; utility coordination; LV (480V/400V) plant power distribution interfaces; on‑site generation (stand‑by, prime, co‑gen, renewables) and UPS systems.
• Proficiency with design and analysis tools such as AutoCAD, ETAP or similar power system analysis software, and protection relay settings/configuration.
• Strong analytical, problem‑solving, communication, and teamwork skills; ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines.
• Experience supporting integrated transmission and substation projects from conceptual design through construction and commissioning strongly preferred.

Travel & Licensing

• Travel required for site visits and commissioning activities.
• Valid driver’s license required (may be waived for international assignments).
• Maintains continuing professional education as required by registered states (voluntary or mandatory).

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