Lead Engineer

Job Title: Senior Substation Engineering Lead

Location: Houston, TX
Department: Engineering – Substation Design
Reports To: Chief Engineer / General Manager – Electrical
Employment Type: Full-Time, Exempt

About Expanse Electrical

Expanse Electrical is a leading EPC (Engineering, Procurement, and Construction) firm specializing in high-voltage power systems — including transmission and substation infrastructure from 34.5 kV up to 345 kV. We support utility, industrial, and data center clients across North America with turnkey design, construction, and commissioning services.

We’re a fast-growing organization known for quality, safety, and innovation in complex, schedule-driven environments. Our teams are collaborative, solutions-focused, and driven to exceed client expectations on every project.

Position Overview

Expanse Electrical is seeking a Senior Substation Engineering Lead to drive the planning, coordination, and execution of high-voltage substation design projects.

This is a senior technical leadership role, designed for an accomplished engineer who can guide multidisciplinary design efforts, provide technical direction, and ensure efficient project execution within the EPC delivery model.

Following a recent organizational realignment, our Chief Engineer now serves as the company’s principal technical SME, focusing on deep design-level reviews and technical governance. The Senior Substation Engineering Lead will complement that role by serving as the project-side counterpart — ensuring engineering deliverables are accurate, constructible, and aligned with client and construction needs.

We’re looking for a PE-licensed HV Substation specialist with a strong EPC background — someone who understands utility and industrial substation standards, can lead complex design packages, and keeps projects moving efficiently while balancing technical rigor and execution speed.

Key Responsibilities

Project & Engineering Oversight

• Lead the full design lifecycle for substation projects — from kickoff through IFC (Issued for Construction) and field support.
• Coordinate across internal stakeholders (design, project management, procurement, construction) to align engineering deliverables with project milestones.
• Ensure all designs comply with applicable codes, standards (IEEE, NESC, NERC), and client specifications.
• Support timely resolution of redlines, field revisions, and engineering change orders.

Design Leadership & Quality Control

• Guide the preparation of substation design packages including SLDs, P&C schematics, general arrangements, grounding plans, and BOMs.
• Review, validate, and approve engineering deliverables for quality, constructability, and accuracy.
• Collaborate with the Chief Engineer on design methodologies, technical reviews, and design optimization.

Client & Internal Coordination

• Serve as a client-facing engineering lead across multiple active substation projects.
• Participate in technical reviews, proposal meetings, and construction handoffs.
• Communicate technical updates, project risks, and design solutions clearly and proactively to internal and external teams.

Technical Mentorship & Knowledge Leadership

• Mentor junior and mid-level engineers, fostering professional development and design consistency.
• Promote standardization of substation design practices, documentation templates, and engineering procedures.
• Support cross-training initiatives to enhance overall team capability and technical depth.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering (required); Master’s Degree preferred.
• Active Professional Engineer (PE) license in Texas or ability to obtain promptly.
• 10 years of experience in high-voltage substation design within EPC or utility environments.
• Demonstrated experience on 138–345 kV substation projects (greenfield and brownfield).

Salary : $130,000 - $160,000