Electrical Substation Design Engineer (Physical) – MV/EHV

Description

What if you could discover the way to an exciting and rewarding career? The path is closer than you may think. Connect with us, explore the possibilities, and see why Asplundh is 36,000 strong and growing.

About Asplundh Engineering Services (AES)

As part of the Asplundh family of companies, Asplundh Engineering Services (AES) delivers top-notch engineering, design, planning, testing, commissioning, construction management and consulting services for transmission, distribution, substation and renewable infrastructure markets across the U.S.

AES benefits from extensive resources and a century of experience. Together, we provide utilities with comprehensive end-to-end services, from design to construction, testing and maintenance, ensuring reliability and peace of mind.

Role Overview

Built on a strong legacy of engineering excellence and trusted utility partnerships, we are expanding our power delivery group to tackle the next generation of grid infrastructure. As our project portfolio continues to grow, we are actively adding an Electrical Substation Design Engineer (Physical) to our team to take ownership of complex medium- through extra-high voltage (MV–EHV, 13kV–500kV+) projects that keep critical power networks reliable and resilient. Depending on your location and qualifications, this role offers a flexible hybrid or remote work model.

In this role, you will partner directly with major electric utilities, independent power producers (IPPs), renewable energy developers, and EPC partners across all phases of greenfield and brownfield project execution—from conceptual scoping and engineering analysis through Issued for Construction (IFC) design packages, construction support, and commissioning. If you enjoy solving complex physical layout challenges across diverse utility standards and making a direct impact on grid reliability, we want to hear from you.

How You Will Make an Impact

• Lead Physical Substation Designs (MV–EHV). Develop conceptual, preliminary, and detailed IFC physical design packages for new, upgraded, and expanded substations (13kV through 500kV+), including General Arrangement (GA) plans, elevation and section cuts, rigid and strain bus configurations, grounding grids, lightning protection, raceway and cable trench layouts, conduit schedules, lighting plans, and Bills of Materials (BOM).
• Execute Engineering Calculations & Technical Studies. Perform comprehensive engineering analyses, including ground grid design (IEEE 80), direct stroke lightning shielding (IEEE 998), AC/DC station service load studies, voltage drop, ampacity/cable sizing, conduit fill, and minimum phase-to-phase/phase-to-ground clearance verifications.
• Prepare Specifications & Procurement Packages. Develop technical equipment specifications, material take-offs (MTOs), bid evaluations, and construction cost estimates tailored to client standards.
• Ensure Multi-Utility Code & Standards Compliance. Adapt designs seamlessly across multiple utility client specifications alongside NESC, NEC, IEEE, and ANSI requirements to ensure constructability, maintainability, and operational safety.
• Drive Interdisciplinary & Vendor Coordination. Collaborate closely with Protection & Control (P&C), Civil/Structural, Transmission Line, and Commissioning engineers—as well as equipment manufacturers—to review vendor drawings and resolve technical challenges.
• Manage Client Relationships & Project Deliverables. Serve as a trusted technical advisor to consultancy clients, communicating project milestones, supporting schedule and budget adherence, and leading design review meetings.

What You Will Bring

• Education: Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering (BSEE) or Electrical Engineering Technology (BSEET) from an ABET-accredited program.
• Experience: Minimum of 4+ years of hands-on experience in medium-, high-, and/or extra-high voltage substation physical design within an engineering consultancy, EPC firm, or electric utility.
• Substations & Apparatus Expertise: Demonstrated experience designing and specifying substation equipment across MV–EHV classes, including power transformers, circuit breakers (dead-tank/live-tank/GIS), disconnect switches, instrument transformers (CCVTs, CTs, PTs), capacitor banks, reactors, surge arresters, switchgear, station batteries/chargers, and power/control cables.
• Standards Mastery: Working knowledge of NESC, NEC, IEEE, and ANSI standards governing high-voltage clearances, grounding, and electrical infrastructure.
• Design & Analysis Software: Proficiency with AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, MicroStation, or Bentley Substation, plus Microsoft Office Suite and Bluebeam. Experience with grounding or power analysis software (WinIGS, CDEGS, ETAP, or SKM) is a strong plus.
• Credentials & Soft Skills: Engineer-in-Training (EIT) / FE certification preferred; Professional Engineer (PE) license strongly preferred (or ability to obtain via NCEES comity). Strong client-facing communication, self-direction in a remote/hybrid environment, and organizational skills.

Work Environment & Preferences

• Work Model: Hybrid or Remote (dependent on candidate location and qualifications).
• Schedule: Full-time exempt position operating primarily during standard business hours, Monday through Friday. Occasional schedule flexibility may be required to support client design reviews, project deadlines, and field activities.
• Travel Requirements: Occasional regional or national travel (typically 10%–20%) for client kickoff meetings, substation site walkdowns, field investigations, and construction support.
• Physical Requirements: Ability to work in both home/office environments and active field locations, including energized substations, utility facilities, and construction sites. Must be able to sit, stand, walk, climb ladders/stairs, and traverse uneven terrain while adhering to all safety protocols and Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) standards. Ability to lift and carry up to 25 pounds occasionally.

Why Work Here?

The work we perform at Asplundh is the collective effort of unique individuals. They are people with grit and heart who show up with a diversity of skills, backgrounds, and perspectives. It’s a place where individual and cultural differences are respected and valued. It’s a place where we are stronger together. Where collaboration and teamwork thrive. Where our authentic selves can flourish. The common thread for field workers and office professionals alike is that we truly care about the environment, each other, and the communities we serve.

#LI-REMOTE

• Asplundh Tree Expert, LLC and its family of companies are Equal Opportunity Employers. We consider all qualified applicants without regard to any legally protected characteristic.
• If you require reasonable accommodation during the application or hiring process, please contact our ADA Coordinator at 1-800-248-8733, ext. 3656.
• Employment offers are contingent upon successful completion of applicable pre-employment requirements, which include background screening, drug testing, and employment eligibility verification.
• Compensation determination is based on market data, job scope and individual qualifications.
• We offer a competitive total rewards package inclusive of health and welfare and retirement benefits, as well as paid time off and holiday pay benefits.
• Unsolicited resumes without an executed agency agreement become the property of the company.