Lead Substation Electrical Engineer

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Electrical Engineer for our Reno, NV office. Be involved in projects with our Power & Energy Substation Team and be a part of a growing organization that meets our clients' objectives and solves their challenges.

This Opportunity

Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for multi‑site/phase design and development of utility‑scale electrical substation projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include the research, design, concept development, planning, and design support of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, and protection and control systems for utility clients. Substantiates reports and documentation to advise on material, installations, design, component, and construction specifications. Ensures that responsibilities are delivered and adhered to with a level of quality that meets or exceeds acceptable industry standards for design, safety, and functionality.

Your Impact

• Provide guidance with collecting, compiling, and analyzing data relating to substation physical work sites, drawings, GIS data, substation components, equipment specifications for procurement package development, IFR/IRC detailed design and review processes, and IEEE, NESC, ANSI, and NERC standards and regulations for design work.
• Coordinate, review, and approve substation electrical design plans for smaller and less‑complex projects, ensuring work is compliant with applicable codes, standards, and utility requirements.
• Apply high‑level electrical engineering techniques and processes to identify improvements across project phases including concept development, preliminary design, final design, procurement, and construction support.
• Perform professional and complex electrical engineering work relating to substation physical layout and/or protection and control (P&C) design, including single‑line and three‑line diagrams, wiring diagrams, general arrangements, bus configurations, grounding grid design, and lightning protection.
• Plan and incorporate design requirements related to equipment sizing, cabling, AC/DC panel design, conduits, and trenching strategies that account for safety, constructability, and operational performance.
• Review electrical calculations for loads, equipment sizing, grounding (touch and step potential), short‑circuit studies, protective device coordination, one‑line development, and related substation analyses.
• Develop and review plans, technical specifications, and cost estimates for substation projects requiring coordination with owners, other disciplines, subconsultants, and clients.
• Provide technical oversight from project inception through completion for substation design scopes, including new design, upgrades, and expansions.
• Oversee and monitor cross‑functional teams of engineers and designers to execute project work, including QA/QC reviews, budgets, schedules, technical calculations, and design deliverables.
• Prepare data and visualizations such as tables, charts, reports, sketches, calculations, and illustrations to support technical analysis and decision‑making.
• Prepare comprehensive technical reports and presentations that communicate design concepts, findings, and recommendations related to substation engineering.
• Interact with clients and utility stakeholders in a confident and professional manner.
• Collaborate with other engineers and technical discipline leads on utility‑focused infrastructure projects and proposal efforts.
• Remain current in latest electrical engineering techniques and practices applicable to substation design.
• Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures.
• Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs.

Who You Are

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (or equivalent experience).
• 7 to 10 years of relevant post‑education experience as an electrical engineer delivering design deliverables for transmission and distribution substations.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Proficient with electrical engineering principles, practices, processes, and design/build project delivery.
• Demonstrated experience with substation physical design and/or protection and control (P&C) engineering.
• Extensive knowledge of electrical infrastructure design with emphasis on utility substation systems.
• Working knowledge of adjacent substation disciplines including P&C, SCADA, and communications interfaces.
• Well‑defined knowledge of applicable electrical codes, standards, regulations, and compliance requirements (e.g., IEEE, NESC, NEC).
• Strong ability to perform and review advanced electrical calculations and evaluate engineering design deliverables.
• Ability to provide technical leadership and mentorship to junior staff with adherence to QA/QC standards.
• Highly effective verbal and written communication skills for technical and non‑technical audiences.
• Demonstrated self‑leadership with attention to detail, multi‑tasking, and prioritization in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight while providing direction to project teams.
• High proficiency with technical writing, office productivity tools, and discipline‑specific design software.
• Experience with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, and/or MicroStation; familiarity with Aspen, CAPE, or ETAP preferred.
• Well‑developed critical thinking and problem‑solving skills.
• Demonstrated effectiveness at coordinating and assertively directing subcontractors and others to consistently complete tasks safely and efficiently.
• Proven track record of upholding workplace safety and ability to abide by WSP’s health, safety and drug/alcohol and harassment policies.
• Ability to work schedules conducive to project-specific requirements that may extend beyond the typical workweek.
• Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Master’s Degree in Engineering.

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