Substation Senior Project Engineer

WSP is seeking a Substation Senior Project Engineer to join our Power Delivery Substation Team in Ft Worth, TX; Houston, TX; Austin, TX; or Overland Park, KS. As a Lead Substation Project Engineer, you will provide technical and design leadership within our Power & Energy Substations Business Unit, ensuring substation electrical engineering subject matter expertise, substation design, high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) systems, relay protection & control (P&C), SCADA integration, and power system studies are effectively applied across technical deliverables and utility infrastructure projects.

Responsibilities:

• Provide proactive and strategic leadership for the electrical engineering discipline, including substation design, high-voltage (HV) systems, medium-voltage (MV) systems, relay protection & control (P&C), SCADA/automation, and power delivery (T&D)
• Perform electrical engineering reviews of permit applications, substation design packages, one-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, protection schemes, wiring schematics, grounding plans, and equipment specifications
• Lead large-scale, complex substation and infrastructure projects, ensuring alignment on scope, schedule, and deliverables; manage project budgets, cost tracking, resource planning, and forecasting
• Drive business development and project execution for electrical infrastructure, substation, and transmission & distribution (T&D) projects within the region
• Lead technical aspects of client presentations, technical proposals, and stakeholder meetings
• Support long-term strategy, growth, and pipeline development for power delivery and electrical engineering services
• Ensure profitable project performance, including margin management, cost control, schedule adherence, and successful project delivery
• Assist in developing and updating annual business plans, forecasting models, and tactical initiatives aligned with regional and sector goals
• Interface with utilities, ISOs/RTOs, municipalities, regulatory agencies, and private sector clients to address electrical, substation, and construction-related challenges
• Ensure engineering discipline certifications and value proposition are maintained, including PE licensure, NERC compliance awareness, and industry best practices in substation engineering
• Conduct needs assessments, workforce planning, and capability gap analyses to align technical expertise with grid reliability, load growth, renewable interconnections, and resiliency goals
• Lead engineering discipline meetings, providing updates on technical standards, substation innovations, and project performance metrics
• Serve as a key liaison with utility clients, EPC firms, OEMs, etc.
• Develop and manage proposals, scopes of work, schedules, and cost estimates for substation and electrical projects
• Interpret and analyze technical reports and engineering documentation to support sound engineering decisions
• Provide input to multidisciplinary teams and deliver strategic technical advisory services to clients
• Develop and expand client relationships for substation and electrical engineering services
• Mentor and develop staff in substation design, protection & control, power systems, and project delivery best practices
• Provide leadership and performance management for engineering teams, including resource allocation, utilization, and technical oversight
• Stay current on emerging technologies and industry trends such as grid modernization, digital substations, battery energy storage (BESS), renewable integration, and smart grid solutions
• Collaborate across disciplines to deliver integrated, future-ready energy solutions and act as a trusted advisor to clients
• Exercise ethical decision-making aligned with corporate governance, compliance standards, and safety culture
• Perform additional responsibilities aligned with business needs, operational priorities, and project demands

Requirements:

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or related field (Power Systems focus preferred) or equivalent experience in substation engineering and power delivery
• 12+ years of relevant experience in electrical engineering, substation design, and infrastructure development for capital projects across power generation, transmission, and distribution (T&D) within utility, EPC, industrial, or commercial environments
• Professional Engineer (PE) License (multi-state preferred), with experience supporting utility projects, NERC-regulated environments, and permitting requirements
• Advanced proficiency with electrical engineering principles, including power systems analysis, relay protection & control (P&C), grounding, short circuit analysis, load flow studies, coordination studies, and application to design-build (EPC) and permitting activities
• Advanced proficiency with infrastructure and substation design, including AIS/GIS substations, high-voltage (HV) and medium-voltage (MV) systems, bus configurations, transformer sizing, and equipment layout
• Strong working knowledge of electrical codes and standards (IEEE, NEC, NESC), OSHA/NFPA safety regulations, and applicable federal, state, and local permitting requirements
• Advanced ability to perform engineering calculations and technical analyses
• Ability to work independently while providing leadership and direction to mid- to senior-level staff
• Excellent leadership and communication skills with the ability to collaborate with engineering teams, project managers, clients, utilities, regulators, and executive leadership
• Strong analytical thinking, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
• Proven ability to influence and collaborate with cross-functional teams, utility stakeholders, regulatory agencies, and senior leadership
• Advanced proficiency with engineering and design software, including AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, Revit, Aspen (OneLiner), ETAP, CAPE, CYME, PSCAD, SKM PowerTools, WinIGS, and Inventor
• Proven commitment to workplace safety, safe design practices, and compliance with HSE programs
• Demonstrated adaptability and flexibility to support multiple projects, shifting priorities, and evolving client and business needs
• Willingness and ability to travel to project sites, substations, client offices, and field locations as required