Lead Substation Project Engineer

Job Description

WSP is currently initiating a search for a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our Saint Louis, MO 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.

As a key contributor, you will play a significant role in supporting complex substation design projects, managing project execution, and mentoring junior staff. This position offers the opportunity to thrive in a fast-paced, collaborative environment and make a significant impact on our team and our projects. A hybrid or in-office work setup is preferred to foster collaboration and mentorship, but remote work will be considered for candidates with proven ability.

WSP brings global expertise in power delivery, power generation, and program management—anchored by the acquisition of POWER Engineers, Inc. TRC Companies have now joined WSP, deepening our power practice and expanding our energy advisory and intelligent grid services. We're partnering with clients to shape how energy systems evolve around the world—and we need your help.

This Opportunity

Provides high level technical assistance and guidance for multi-site/phase due diligence, investigation, remediation, impact assessment, permitting, design, development, and construction of utility, industrial, and commercial scale projects in the public and private sector. Tasks include the research, design, concept development, planning, and construction of transmission and distribution substations, power distribution, power regulation, renewable energy, as well as protection and control systems in a wide variety of contexts (utilities, transportation, building, and Federal, State, and local government projects). 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

• Support the Area Lead/Department Manager in achieving department goals, maintaining high‑quality standards, and strengthening client relationships.
• Develop and manage project schedules, budgets, quality, and deliverables for assigned projects.
• Support the management of relationships with alliance clients, project reporting, and proposal development.
• Perform QA/QC reviews and contribute to substation equipment specifications.
• Perform and direct others in the detailed design of medium to extra‑high‑voltage substations, including one‑lines, schematics, wiring diagrams, SCADA/communications, and station physical layouts.
• Prepare supporting design documents such as sections/elevations, control enclosure details, cable/conduit plans, ground grid plans, foundation and structural details, lightning protection, yard lighting plans, and bills of materials.
• Conduct substation analyses and calculations (e.g., AC/DC studies, lightning analysis, voltage drop). Specify and select substation equipment and provide construction support and interdisciplinary coordination.
• Mentor and train team members while adhering to client standards and processes.
• Work effectively in a fast‑paced environment while tracking, organizing, and prioritizing multiple tasks of varying size and importance.
• 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.
• Participate in occasional travel and site visits as needed.
  
  
  

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 providing design deliverables for capital projects in power generation, transmission, and distribution at a utility, industrial, or commercial scale, with significant experience in substation design.
• Professional Engineering license (PE).
• Experience in 15kV through 230kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Experience filling the role of electrical engineer for several substation projects occurring concurrently.
• Demonstrates competence and comprehensive knowledge concerning adjacent disciplines such as electrical engineering, P&C, SCADA, and telecom.
• Well-defined specific knowledge of relevant engineering and electrical construction laws, codes, regulations, compliance practices, and record-keeping requirements.
• Well-developed ability to make technical computations and calculations involving the application of electrical engineering principles, understanding plans and specifications, and making factual comparisons to the appropriate regulations.
• Highly effective interpersonal and communication skills when interacting with others, expressing ideas effectively and professionally to an engineering and non-engineering audience.
• Demonstrated high-level of self-leadership with attention to detail, multi-tasking, and prioritization of responsibilities in a dynamic work environment.
• Works independently with minimal oversight and provides guidance and leadership to junior team or project members, with strict adherence to QA/QC.
• Highly proficient with technical writing, office automation, discipline-specific design software (i.e., Inventor, AutoCADD electrical), technology, math principles, predictive models, spreadsheets, and tools.
• Well-developed critical thinking and problem-solving skills required to apply technical knowledge to reach conclusions from testing results, data collation, computations, statistical analysis and arriving at the most effective, economical, and logical solution.
• 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.
• 10 years of experience in substation design.
• Experience in 230kV through 765kV substation design and IEEE/ANSI standards.
• Experience managing people on a multi-disciplinary project team.
• Experience with MicroStation (V8 or newer), AutoCAD, AutoCAD Electrical, or Inventor.