Lead Engineer - HV Substations

Job Description Summary

The Lead Engineer (LE) serves as the technical authority for the project, overseeing all engineering activities with a focus on safety, quality, schedule, and cost-efficiency. The LE orchestrates the entire design lifecycle-from initial planning and budget management to final delivery-ensuring seamless coordination between internal teams, suppliers, and subcontractors. By championing optimized, customer-centric engineering solutions, the LE guarantees that all technical documentation and designs meet rigorous project standards and are delivered in strict alignment with the overall master schedule.

Job Description

Roles and Responsibilities

1. Project Technical Leadership & Coordination

• Lead the end-to-end technical coordination of High Voltage Substation projects, serving as the primary interface between internal teams, clients, construction sites, partners, and subcontractors.
• Ensure full alignment across disciplines (Primary/Secondary equipment, Protection & Control, Telecom, Civil Works, and Commissioning).
• Define scope boundaries and responsibilities between all parties involved to prevent gaps and overlaps.
• Supporting the sales team in defining technical solution strategies and determining quantities

2. Engineering Quality & Compliance

• Ensure all designs and solutions strictly comply with customer specifications and international/local standards (IEC, ANSI, IEEE).
• Perform technical validation of all project changes, engineering deliverables, and supplier/subcontractor proposals.
• Analyze client requirements, manage clause-by-clause documentation, and handle technical queries (TQs) and exceptions.

3. Planning, Schedule & Risk Management

• Manage the engineering master schedule, ensuring seamless integration with procurement, construction, and commissioning milestones.
• Monitor engineering progress against key performance indicators (KPIs), proactively identifying and managing technical risks with robust mitigation plans.
• Oversee the development, review, and approval of technical documentation throughout the project lifecycle.

4. Technical Expertise & Site Support

• In-depth knowledge of regulations, standards, and the market for high and extra-high voltage electrical substations in Latin America, with a focus on Colombia, Venezuela, and Peru.
• Provide high-level technical support to construction and commissioning teams, offering expert guidance for field-related issues.
• Conduct site visits to perform surveys and validate data required for the execution of electromechanical, civil, and electrical projects.
• Perform critical engineering calculations (grounding, cable sizing, CT/PT adequacy, and auxiliary system sizing).
• Draft and validate technical specifications for equipment and service procurement.

5. EHS & Operational Excellence

• Guarantee that all design and execution phases strictly adhere to contractual EHS (Environment, Health, and Safety) requirements.
• Foster the implementation of optimized, cost-effective solutions that improve ease of installation and operational reliability.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical, Electronic or Automation & Control Engineering.
• Minimum of 10 years of experience in Engineering activities as technical coordinator in EPC type environment in Transmission & Distribution Power Systems, Power Gen or industry.
• Proven professional experience in the Venezuelan energy sector, with a deep understanding of local regulatory requirements, technical standards (e.g., COVENIN), and specific grid operational characteristics
• Fluent Spanish proficiency.
• Advanced English proficiency.
• Knowledge of high voltage products, substation engineering design and services.
• Familiarity with international and standards for substations (IEEE, IEC, ANSI).
• Experience in technical problem solving
• Strong team‐working abilities, good communication skills, written and oral.
• Ability and willingness to travel, both domestically and internationally for meetings, site visits and trainings.

Desired Characteristics

• Strong understanding of high voltage power transformers, shunt reactors, circuit breakers, disconnectors, instrument transformers and medium voltage systems.
• Previous Knowledge in FACTS (Flexible AC Transmission Systems) and/or HVDC (High Voltage Direct Current) Systems;
• Construction, field testing and commissioning experience.
• Knowledge of substation protection and control schemes, SCADA communication systems, factory and site testing.
• Demonstrates ownership & accountability, judgment and decision making, influences & inspires team, creates a vision and strategy, and has passion for the role
• Multi-team leadership experience.

Additional Information

Relocation Assistance Provided: No

#LI-Remote - This is a remote position