CDM Smith
Job Title
Senior Engineer - Physical Substation
Job Description As a Senior Substation Engineer – Physical, you’ll lead the design and execution of extra high voltage (EHV) substations (230kV–765kV), ensuring safe, reliable, and cost‑effective solutions for clients. This hybrid role, based out of one of CDM Smith’s offices, blends hands‑on technical design with project leadership, client engagement, and mentorship of junior engineers. You’ll play a key role in advancing critical infrastructure while growing your expertise in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities
Lead the design and execution of EHV substation projects, including physical layout, protection and control systems, grounding, and equipment specifications.
Serve as the technical authority and mentor for engineering teams, providing guidance on design standards, codes, and best practices.
Oversee and validate technical deliverables, ensuring alignment with client requirements, industry standards, and internal quality protocols.
Interface directly with clients, vendors, and subcontractors to define project scope, resolve technical issues, and ensure successful project delivery.
Manage project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation across multiple concurrent substation projects.
Develop and review scoping documents, engineering calculations, and technical specifications for EHV substations (typically 230 kV to 765 kV).
Supervise and delegate tasks to junior engineers and designers, ensuring quality and consistency in engineering output.
Lead internal and external coordination efforts across disciplines and stakeholders to support integrated project delivery.
Conduct internal quality assurance reviews and ensure compliance with CDM Smith’s quality management systems.
Support continuous improvement initiatives, change management, and the development of engineering standards and tools.
Participate in strategic planning, resource management, and performance evaluations for engineering staff.
Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal preparation, client presentations, and technical strategy development.
Provide technical leadership in the selection of equipment and materials, based on complex research and analysis.
Act as responsible engineer in charge (EOR) for assigned projects, ensuring technical integrity and regulatory compliance.
Support career development and mentoring of engineering staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Electrical Technology, or related discipline.
Professional engineering (PE) license.
12 years of related experience; domestic and/or international travel may be required.
Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Preferred Qualifications
Proven experience in Extra High Voltage (EHV) substation design across voltage classes ranging from 13.8 kV to 765 kV, including both open‑air and Gas‑Insulated Substations (GIS).
Strong background in physical design and protection & control (P&C) systems for high‑voltage substations.
Proficient in preparing detailed engineering deliverables such as one‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, connection diagrams, equipment arrangement, grounding, foundation, conduit plans, raceway drawings, plan and section views, and signage/nameplate documentation.
Skilled in performing advanced engineering studies and calculations including lightning protection analysis, conduit fill, and voltage drop calculations, surge arrester sizing and AC/DC station service loading and auxiliary power equipment sizing.
Experienced in designing various bus configurations for EHV substations.
Proficient in the use of CDEGS, WinIGS, or similar programs for lightning and grounding studies.
Proficiency in assessing mechanical forces and thermal effects of high fault currents on rigid bus.
Location United States – Nationwide
Work Arrangement Hybrid work options may be considered for the successful candidate.
Salary Pay range: $119,829 – $209,726
EEO Statement We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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Job Description As a Senior Substation Engineer – Physical, you’ll lead the design and execution of extra high voltage (EHV) substations (230kV–765kV), ensuring safe, reliable, and cost‑effective solutions for clients. This hybrid role, based out of one of CDM Smith’s offices, blends hands‑on technical design with project leadership, client engagement, and mentorship of junior engineers. You’ll play a key role in advancing critical infrastructure while growing your expertise in a collaborative environment.
Responsibilities
Lead the design and execution of EHV substation projects, including physical layout, protection and control systems, grounding, and equipment specifications.
Serve as the technical authority and mentor for engineering teams, providing guidance on design standards, codes, and best practices.
Oversee and validate technical deliverables, ensuring alignment with client requirements, industry standards, and internal quality protocols.
Interface directly with clients, vendors, and subcontractors to define project scope, resolve technical issues, and ensure successful project delivery.
Manage project budgets, schedules, and resource allocation across multiple concurrent substation projects.
Develop and review scoping documents, engineering calculations, and technical specifications for EHV substations (typically 230 kV to 765 kV).
Supervise and delegate tasks to junior engineers and designers, ensuring quality and consistency in engineering output.
Lead internal and external coordination efforts across disciplines and stakeholders to support integrated project delivery.
Conduct internal quality assurance reviews and ensure compliance with CDM Smith’s quality management systems.
Support continuous improvement initiatives, change management, and the development of engineering standards and tools.
Participate in strategic planning, resource management, and performance evaluations for engineering staff.
Contribute to business development efforts, including proposal preparation, client presentations, and technical strategy development.
Provide technical leadership in the selection of equipment and materials, based on complex research and analysis.
Act as responsible engineer in charge (EOR) for assigned projects, ensuring technical integrity and regulatory compliance.
Support career development and mentoring of engineering staff, fostering a culture of technical excellence and innovation.
Minimum Qualifications
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, Electrical Technology, or related discipline.
Professional engineering (PE) license.
12 years of related experience; domestic and/or international travel may be required.
Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
Preferred Qualifications
Proven experience in Extra High Voltage (EHV) substation design across voltage classes ranging from 13.8 kV to 765 kV, including both open‑air and Gas‑Insulated Substations (GIS).
Strong background in physical design and protection & control (P&C) systems for high‑voltage substations.
Proficient in preparing detailed engineering deliverables such as one‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, connection diagrams, equipment arrangement, grounding, foundation, conduit plans, raceway drawings, plan and section views, and signage/nameplate documentation.
Skilled in performing advanced engineering studies and calculations including lightning protection analysis, conduit fill, and voltage drop calculations, surge arrester sizing and AC/DC station service loading and auxiliary power equipment sizing.
Experienced in designing various bus configurations for EHV substations.
Proficient in the use of CDEGS, WinIGS, or similar programs for lightning and grounding studies.
Proficiency in assessing mechanical forces and thermal effects of high fault currents on rigid bus.
Location United States – Nationwide
Work Arrangement Hybrid work options may be considered for the successful candidate.
Salary Pay range: $119,829 – $209,726
EEO Statement We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
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