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DLB Associates · 17 hours ago

Lead Substation Engineer

United States

Full-time

Onsite

Senior Level, Lead/Staff

8+ years exp

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers and advanced infrastructure. They are seeking a Lead Substation Engineer to establish and grow their utility and substation engineering services, responsible for the engineering delivery of medium- and high-voltage substations from concept through construction and commissioning.

Association

Growth Opportunities

No H1B

Responsibilities

Serve as the lead engineer and technical authority for substation projects, independently directing engineering execution with minimal oversight

Independently perform advanced engineering work through leading and overseeing the design, analysis and engineering of medium to high voltage electrical systems (including substations), ensuring compliance with customer requirements, utility requirements, industry standards, codes and regulations

Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate substation designs seamlessly into larger electrical systems, including grid infrastructure and power distribution networks

Act as the primary decision-maker for engineering approaches, design standards, and technical risk management

Lead projects as engineer of record (or support EOR), taking full responsibility for technical accuracy, constructability, and code compliance

Establish, implement, and enforce engineering standards, design criteria, and quality expectations for substation work

Independently lead and perform detailed design for:

Substation one-line, three-line, and AC/DC schematics

Physical layouts, elevations, and equipment arrangements (AIS/GIS)

Bus configurations (ring bus, breaker-and-a-half, double bus, etc.)

Grounding systems and electrical safety designs

Protection & control philosophies, relay schemes, and coordination

Control house layouts, panel arrangements, and cable routing

Develop and review equipment specifications for major substation components including transformers, breakers, disconnects, instrument transformers, protection relays, and communications systems

Perform and/or direct complex engineering studies with minimal guidance

Ensure compliance with applicable standards and utility requirements while independently resolving technical conflicts and ambiguities

Utilize AutoCAD and Revit software to prepare drawings and visual aids

Timely and effective management of project design team including resource forecasting and coordination

Identify potential project scope changes and aid in development of strategies to minimize impact and control deviations from estimated costs and project deadlines

Responsible for execution of the firm’s client value system and assuring that the project is executed in accordance with company policies and standards

Work closely with clients to understand their specific project requirements, provide technical insights, and ensure client satisfaction throughout the project lifecycle

Resolve design, construction, and field issues independently, escalating only when business or contractual risk requires leadership involvement

Support construction, testing, commissioning, and energization through RFIs, field engineering, and technical troubleshooting

Lead technical reviews, design meetings, and client presentations with minimal preparation oversight

Prepare project design and construction documents

Prepare project progress reports for internal and external stakeholders

Update and maintain shop drawing and RFI log

Manage personal hours using company tools

Identify opportunities and lead the strategic use of technology, digital platforms, and AI-enabled tools to enhance efficiency through workflow automation, reduced manual effort, and improved accuracy in forecasting, documentation, reporting, and quality processes

Support adoption of emerging technologies - including advanced analytics, data visualization tools, and digital construction management platforms - to strengthen readiness, quality assurance, and project controls

Collaborate with internal teams to ensure technology solutions align with DLB standards for data security, privacy, and operational integrity

Promote a culture that embraces innovation, continuous improvement, and the strategic use of technology to optimize performance and scalability

Qualification

Substation EngineeringElectrical Systems KnowledgeElectrical CodesStandardsAutoCADRevitProject ManagementAIEmerging TechnologiesTechnical CommunicationOrganizational SkillsTeam Leadership

Required

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Professional Engineer (PE) license

8+ years of substation design engineering experience

Knowledge of electrical systems found in buildings including single/three phase power distribution, lighting and lighting controls, grounding and life safety systems

Knowledge of various electrical topologies and distribution systems

Strong working knowledge of applicable electrical codes and standards (NEC, NFPA, NESC, IEEE, ANSI, utility standards), with ability to apply requirements through code analysis and system design

Knowledge of technical / design software including short circuit coordination and arc flash studies, equipment sizing, underground feeder calculations and lighting calculations

Skilled at using MS Office Suite (Excel, Word, Outlook, PowerPoint, Teams), along with exceptional organizational skills for file management

Highly organized with strong attention to detail, able to manage multiple tasks simultaneously and meet tight deadlines under pressure

Ability to leverage AI and emerging technologies to streamline workflows, optimize operational processes, and contribute to company-wide innovation

Ability to work successfully in a remote environment through effective communication and organizational skills, self-motivation, proactiveness and resourcefulness in a distraction free workspace

Ability to follow company and site safety requirements

Strong written and verbal communication skills, including the ability to communicate technical concepts to non-technical audiences and serve as a client-facing point of contact

Ability to effectively plan and delegate the work of others