Substation Engineer

About HDR

At HDR, our employee-owners are fully engaged in creating a welcoming environment where each of us is valued and respected, a place where everyone is empowered to bring their authentic selves and novel ideas to work every day. We weave diversity, equity, and inclusion into our work and foster a sense of belonging throughout the company and our communities.

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Each role throughout our organization makes a difference in our ability to change the world for the better. Join us to help make great things possible not only in your community, but around the world.

We believe electricity powers modern life. As part of our Power sector, you’ll help shape how electricity is generated, transmitted and delivered as global energy demands grow. From massive data centers to modernizing transmission systems, our industry‑recognized engineers and scientists have been at the forefront of grid transformation for more than a century.

Position Overview

HDR is looking for a Substation Engineer to join our growing and nationally ranked team of Power Delivery professionals.

The primary duties of the Substation Engineer include physical substation, protection, and control engineering for high voltage electric utility projects, 12 kV through 500 kV. Projects range in size, complexity, and voltage class from small distribution equipment upgrades to large transmission substation projects across the globe.

Key Responsibilities

• Support preparing scopes, schedules, and budgets, and ensure that schedules and budgets are met.
• Understand physical substation design including yard layouts, plans, sections and details, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, interior and exterior raceways, auxiliary AC/DC power systems, and associated bills of material.
• Understand protection and control design including panel arrangements, one‑line/single‑line diagrams, three‑line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, equipment wiring and relay panel wiring.
• Prepare calculations for studies and reports (grounding, lighting protection, AC/DC load studies, etc.).
• Prepare equipment specifications for procurement and/or factory acceptance testing.
• Coordinate design activities with other departments (Civil/Structural, Networks, Transmission Line, etc.).
• Effectively communicate and coordinate project activities with manager, clients, and others as needed.
• Work independently and may direct, mentor, train, and/or supervise efforts of less‑experienced EITs and/or designers.
• Perform other duties as needed.

Preferred Qualifications

• Preference given to local candidates.
• Experience working for an A/E/C consulting firm.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Engineering.
• Professional Engineer (PE) license.
• Previous experience in project execution within the Power Market Sector.
• Computer skills in Microsoft Office as well as standard Power Market Sector design software (e.g., PLS CAD, AutoCAD, Plant 3D, AutoPipe, and Revit).
• An attitude and commitment to being an active participant of our employee‑owned culture.

Company Commitment

At HDR, we are committed to creating an inclusive environment where each of us is welcomed, valued, respected, and empowered to bring our authentic selves to work every day. We support eight Employee Network Groups (Asian Pacific, Black, Hispanic/Latino(a), LGBTQ+, People with Disabilities, Veterans, Women, Young Professionals) to foster belonging and provide support for all employees.

Additional Information

Primary Location: United States – Maine – Portland

Other Locations: United States – New Hampshire – Bedford, United States – Massachusetts – Boston, United States – Connecticut – Rocky Hill, United States – Rhode Island – Providence

Industry: Power Schedule: Full‑time Employee Status: Regular

Equal Opportunity Statement

We are an affirmative action and Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider all qualified applicants, regardless of criminal histories, arrest and conviction records.

Ready to Apply

Let’s work together to make great things possible. We design solutions to the world's greatest challenges and are always looking for great talent to join our global teams.