Principal Engineer – Substation
Remote (North America), 12-Month Contract
Occasional travel within North America required, up to $67.94/hr
We are seeking a highly experienced Principal Engineer – Substation to provide technical leadership and engineering oversight for utility-scale substation projects supporting renewable energy generation and transmission infrastructure. This position will be responsible for managing projects throughout the entire lifecycle, from early-stage development and conceptual design through construction, commissioning, and project closeout.
Key Responsibilities
- Lead assigned substation projects from conception through construction and commissioning.
- Support early-stage project development activities by defining engineering requirements and project scope.
- Provide technical oversight, guidance, and quality assurance for external Engineers of Record (EORs).
- Ensure compliance with interconnection agreements, project specifications, IEEE, NESC, ASCE, and other applicable industry standards.
- Develop scopes of work, solicit bids, evaluate proposals, and support the award of engineering and consulting services.
- Coordinate with project stakeholders to secure substation sites and support permitting, engineering updates, and design requirements.
- Manage procurement activities related to geotechnical, survey, engineering, and construction services.
- Collaborate with estimating teams to support cost development and scope assumptions.
- Interface with transmission owners, operators, ISOs, and utility stakeholders to ensure project compliance and successful interconnection.
- Review system impact studies, facility studies, harmonic studies, reactive studies, and interconnection agreements.
- Manage long-lead equipment procurement and material orders to minimize project risks and schedule delays.
- Support engineering, construction, procurement, and commissioning teams throughout project execution.
- Prepare and deliver technical presentations, project updates, risk assessments, and executive briefings.
- Support regulatory filings, technical reviews, hearings, and legal proceedings as required.
- Partner with OEMs and equipment manufacturers to optimize substation designs and integration strategies.
Required Qualifications
- Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, Civil Engineering, Structural Engineering, or related discipline.
- Minimum 7 years of experience in high-voltage substation engineering and design.
- Strong understanding of utility transmission and substation infrastructure projects.
- Experience managing engineering consultants and multi-disciplinary project teams.
- Knowledge of IEEE, NESC, ASCE, and utility industry standards.
- Experience supporting engineering, procurement, construction, and commissioning activities.
- Strong project management and stakeholder management skills.
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to interface with senior leadership and external partners.
Preferred Qualifications
- Professional Engineer (P.E.) license.
- Project Management Professional (PMP) certification.
- Experience supporting renewable energy generation projects.
- Knowledge of transmission interconnection processes and ISO requirements.
- Experience reviewing system impact studies, facility studies, and transmission planning documentation.
- Utility-scale project development experience.
- Experience with EPC, engineering consulting, or utility organizations.
What You'll Bring
- Strong technical expertise in substation engineering and power systems.
- Exceptional leadership and project execution capabilities.
- Ability to manage multiple complex projects simultaneously.
- Strong commercial awareness and risk management skills.
- Proven ability to work independently in a remote environment.
- Commitment to safety, quality, schedule, and budget performance.
This is an excellent opportunity to join a leading renewable energy organization and play a key role in the delivery of critical transmission and substation infrastructure projects supporting North America's evolving energy landscape.
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