Senior Substation Electrical Designer

Senior Substation Electrical Designer

Location: Reading, PA
Job Type: Long-Term Contract (Temp-to-Perm Opportunity)

Our client is seeking a Senior Substation Electrical Designer to support the design and development of high-voltage substation facilities as part of a growing Power Networks team. This role provides engineering and design support for substation projects 69kV and above, supporting both the client and its utility customers across new construction, upgrades, and expansion projects.

Preference will be given to candidates located near Reading, PA, though qualified candidates may work remotely within the United States.

Substation Design & Engineering

• Perform substation physical design and engineering analysis for new substations, switchyards, additions, and modifications (69kV and above).

• Develop detailed engineering drawings including:

  • Site plans and equipment layouts

  • Plan and elevation views

  • Grounding and conduit systems

  • Lighting and lightning protection systems

  • Shielding and insulation coordination

  • Control building layouts and details

  • AC station service and DC systems

  • Bills of Material (BOMs)

• Prepare technical specifications and support procurement activities.

• Perform auxiliary electrical system studies including:

  • Load flow

  • Short circuit analysis

  • Voltage drop studies

  • Protection coordination

  • Ampacity calculations

  • Battery sizing analysis

• Perform calculations and studies including:

  • Grounding analysis

  • Lightning protection

  • Bus and transformer sizing

  • Fault calculations

  • AC/DC auxiliary system sizing

Project Execution & Collaboration

• Collaborate with project managers, civil/structural engineers, designers, and field personnel.

• Support proposal development, scope definition, and cost estimating.

• Ensure deliverables meet applicable codes, standards, and project procedures.

• Maintain quality assurance and document control standards.

• Conduct independent audits and technical reviews of engineering work.

• Interface directly with clients and external stakeholders.

• Mentor junior engineers and designers.

• Act as a technical lead responsible for quality and coordination of deliverables.

• Travel periodically for site walkdowns as required.

Required Qualifications

Education & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering.

• 8+ years of substation design experience (Senior level).

• Experience designing high-voltage substations (69kV or higher) REQUIRED.

• Demonstrated experience producing detailed design deliverables for new substations.

• Experience working within EPC firms or engineering consulting environments strongly preferred.

Technical Skills

• Experience with power system modeling and analysis tools such as:

  • ETAP

  • SKM

  • EasyPower

  • CYME

  • CDAC
    (Candidates should indicate level of proficiency in each tool.)

• Strong understanding of electrical engineering fundamentals and multidisciplinary coordination.

• Knowledge of applicable industry codes, standards, and regulatory requirements.

• Proficiency with MS Office Suite.

• Experience preparing estimates and proposal documentation.

Industry Background Requirements

• Power Networks/substation experience required (generation-only backgrounds not applicable for engineering roles).

• Utility candidates must demonstrate hands-on detailed design and production of deliverables.

• Experience designing transformer layouts and physical substation arrangements required.

• Transmission line only experience will not be considered.

• Oil & Gas substation experience is not preferred.