Senior Substation Engineer

Senior Substation Engineer

Location: Cary, NC

Onsite Flexibility: Onsite

Contract Details

• Position Type: Contract-to-Hire
• Contract Duration: 12 months (with potential for early conversion after 6 months, or earlier for the right candidate)
• Start: June 1, 2026
• Pay Rate: $53.00 $58.00 / Hour (USD)
• Work Authorization: Applicants must be authorized to work for ANY employer in the U.S. We are unable to sponsor or take over sponsorship of an employment Visa at this time.

Job Summary

Our team is growing to execute major EPC substation projects, and we need staff/senior engineers with expertise in either physical design or protection and control (P&C) to take on key technical roles. Step beyond a typical design role and become a technical pillar for our projects and our people. You will guide a group and make an impact on our team of 26 engineers, ensuring technical quality, mentoring young talent, and confidently representing our work to clients. This is a role with a direct impact on critical T&D infrastructure and offers a clear runway for your professional growth.

The Staff/Senior Substation Engineer will work with the project team through the design and construction process, adapting engineering plans according to budget constraints, design factors, or client needs.

Key Responsibilities

• Supports substation projects from the conceptual phase through completion.
• Prepares and develops substation design packages, including, but not limited to, physical arrangement above and below grade, protective relaying and control, electrical studies such as grounding and lightning analysis, and lighting and security.
• Develops substation calculations, including, but not limited to, insulation, AC station service, DC systems and battery sizing, voltage drop, cable sizing, and conduit fill.
• Prepares design sketches, cost estimates, equipment specifications, bill of materials, and other required deliverables.
• Applies intermediate knowledge of IEEE, NESC, and other industry and utility standards, guides, specifications and procedures.
• Supports field inspections for substation facilities on public and private utility systems.
• Researches and compiles project-related data as required by the project managers.
• Supports client presentations, reports, and visualizations to demonstrate technical results and project status.
• Identifies, communicates and supports the resolution of issues on projects as needed.
• Works with the project manager to support the project schedule and meet deadlines.
• Works closely with the project team to ensure deliverables and services are being provided to the client's satisfaction and that projects are following internal QA/QC guidelines.
• Performs design quality reviews.
• Meets and corresponds with clients or outside personnel to develop relationships with key client points of contact.
• Supports the preparation of proposals and client presentations during the proposal process.
• Performs other duties as assigned.
• Complies with all policies and standards.

Required Skills

• Must have experience with physical design or protection and control (P&C) to take on key technical roles.
• Must have excellent written and verbal communication skills and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Proficient computer skills (e.g., Microsoft Office Suite).
• Strong attention to detail and organizational skills.
• Demonstrated critical thinking skills.
• Desire to work in a collaborative team environment.
• Demonstrated leadership skills.
• Must be capable of applying diversified knowledge of engineering principles and practices to broad areas of assignments.
• Must be capable of devising new approaches to problems encountered.

Preferred Skills

• Engineers in Training (EIT) Certification preferred.
• PE license preferred.

Education Requirements

• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or related degree from an ABET-accredited program; OR
• Bachelor's Degree in Electrical Engineering Technology, Mechanical Engineering Technology, or related degree from an ABET-accredited program plus successful completion of the Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) exam.
• Note: School must be ABET accredited. Internship experience does not count toward years of experience.
• PE License preferred.
• EIT Certification preferred.

Required Experience

• Minimum 3 years of substation engineering experience (consulting experience preferred).
• The team is open to reviewing candidates with more than the listed years of experience. If a candidate is overqualified, the title and level will be adjusted accordingly.
• Targeting candidates with 5 years of substation engineering experience at a senior level.

Work Environment / Physical Requirements

• Onsite position; no remote/no hybrid.
• Voltage levels range from 69 kV to 500 kV; mix of greenfield and brownfield substations.
• Projects support utilities across the East Coast.
• Day-to-day interaction primarily with an immediate project team of 4 6 people.
• Role can become client-facing after ramp-up, depending on the engineer's technical strength and confidence; client exposure typically begins within 3 6 months.
• Client-facing workload can range from 8 hours/week up to full-time (40 hrs/week) depending on project needs.
• Open to relocation candidates.

Important Notes

• Interview process consists of two rounds; the second round is heavily technical. Candidates must be able to clearly support and explain everything on their resume. Strong technical depth and real-world application knowledge are critical.
• Backgrounds considered a good fit: utilities, consulting firms, and OEMs.
• Strong interest in converting contractors to permanent employees over time.

Benefits

• Medical, Vision, and Dental Insurance Plans
• 401k Retirement Fund

About the Client

Infrastructure engineering firm designing and building essential city infrastructure since 1898.

About GTT

GTT is a minority-owned staffing firm and a subsidiary of Chenega Corporation, a Native American-owned company in Alaska. We highly value diverse and inclusive workplaces and support Fortune 500 organizations across banking, financial services, technology, life sciences, biotech, utilities, and retail sectors throughout the U.S. and Canada.

Job Number: 26-05120 Industry: Engineering

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