Substation Engineer Lead - Kiewit Power Delivery Engineering

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Lead Substation Engineer to support and guide the design of high voltage substation projects across the country. This role involves technical leadership, coordination, and hands on engineering for 12 kV to 500 kV substation, transmission, and distribution projects in both traditional engineering design and EPC environments. As a Lead Substation Engineer, you will oversee the development of substation physical and/or protection & control designs from early conceptual stages through detailed engineering and construction support. You’ll work closely with multidisciplinary teams, mentor junior engineers, and ensure that project deliverables meet technical, quality, and schedule expectations.

District Overview

Kiewit Power Delivery. is a full-service engineering and construction solutions provider operating across North America. Our experience and expertise span all aspects of the transmission and distribution market from high voltage overhead and underground transmission to distribution and automation design and construction capabilities. With these broad capabilities, we operate in the electric utility, renewable energy, industrial, and oil & gas markets.  As part of Kiewit, we are integrated with 135 years of construction and engineering experience that provides holistic solutions, differentiating our team from the rest of the industry.

Our rapidly growing power delivery business has opened new locations across North America to strengthen our market presence while executing work within the communities that we live. We have invested in industry-leading design technology and platforms while also expanding our construction equipment fleet with the most advanced, and safest equipment on the market. We are committed to building upon our history as one of the safest companies to work for by equipping our craft with the best tooling and safety programs available.

We are an innovative team that prides itself on excellence through continuous improvement and an unwavering commitment to deliver for our clients. Our staff collaborates with Kiewit’s vast internal network of resources that span heavy civil and infrastructure, vertical and commercial buildings, mining, as well our oil and gas and power generation markets, to drive safe and cost-effective solutions that achieve client expectations and further Kiewit’s legacy of excellence.

Location

This position is based out of our office in Portland, OR or Salt Lake City, UT.

Responsibilities

•    Lead the engineering and design of greenfield and brownfield substations, including equipment layout, bus configurations, grounding, lightning protection, and control building arrangements.
•    Oversee development of key design documents such as:
o    One line and three line diagrams
o    General arrangement drawings
o    Equipment specifications and bills of material
o    Grounding and lightning protection studies
o    Conduct, cable, and raceway plans
•    Protection & control schematics and wiring diagrams (if applicable to role focus)
•    Coordinate with civil, structural, transmission, and protection teams to ensure integrated and constructible designs.
•    Review and approve engineering deliverables for accuracy, compliance, and constructability.
•    Support project planning, scheduling, and resource allocation for the substation engineering team.
•    Provide technical guidance during procurement, installation, testing, and commissioning.
•    Identify project risks and work with project managers and discipline leads to development mitigation strategies.
•    Mentor and develop junior engineers and designers.

Qualifications

•    Bachelor’s degree in electrical engineering or related discipline.
•    8-10 years of experience in high voltage substation design (utility, EPC, or consulting environment).
•    Familiarity with industry standards such as IEEE, NESC, and utility specific requirements.
•    Experience leading engineering teams or serving as a technical lead.
•    Proficiency with substation design tools (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation, CDEGS, or equivalent).
•    Strong communication and coordination skills.

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Working Conditions