Lead Substation Engineer

About the role

Position Location: Remote - work virtually from anywhere in the United States

Job Summary

DLB is expanding its utility and substation engineering services and is seeking a Lead Substation Engineer to help establish, grow, and technically lead this service. This role is responsible for the end-to-end engineering delivery of medium- and high-voltage substations across utility, renewable, data center, and industrial markets, from concept through construction and commissioning.

The Lead Substation Engineer will provide technical direction, make final engineering decisions, and represent the firm with clients, utilities, and partners. This position is both hands-on and strategic, blending detailed engineering execution with mentorship, quality oversight, and support of business growth.

The Lead Substation Engineer is self-directed on day-to-day work and receives high level instruction on new projects, tasks, or assignments. Will execute and lead teams and projects, tasks or assignments of complex scope.  May coordinate activities of other personnel.

The Lead Substation Engineer will communicate and operate in line with organizational goals and values, as well as departmental objectives.

Essential Functions

Substation Engineering Technical Leadership (40%)

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

Additional information

• 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

Project Execution / Pre-Construction / Client Interface

• 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
• Technology, Digital Tools & AI-Enabled Efficiency

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.

Completion of Assigned Tasks and Deliverables on Time and on Budget

Position Requirements (Advanced level for all the following)

• 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

Physical Demands

• While performing the duties of this job, the employee is
• Frequently required to remain in a stationary position
• Frequently moving through office, facility and other environments
• On occasion the employee may move equipment weighing up to 25 pounds

Travel / Relocation Requirements

Up to 20%, this may include travel to any or all 50 US states

Travel is defined as physically leaving home on behalf of business activities including but not limited to client sites, meetings with other employees, meetings for business development purposes, running errands on behalf of the business, attending industry conferences, etc.

• Education / Experience
• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering
• Professional Engineer (PE) license
• 8+ years of substation design engineering experience

Additional information

Experience leading multidisciplinary substation design and working directly with utilities and owner engineering teams on utility, renewable, data center, or industrial projects

Benefits

• DLB Associates offers a very competitive benefits package; highlights include
• Choice of comprehensive medical plans (including two PPO-style plans and a HDHP w/ HSA option)
• Flex spending accounts (FSA)
• Dental and vision plans
• Comprehensive medical, dental and vision benefits extended to spouse / domestic partner and dependent children up to age 26
• 401k with company match and self-directed brokerage account option
• PTO including additional paid time off during the last week of the year
• Company paid life insurance coverage for employees and their eligible dependents
• Short and long-term disability, AD&D coverage
• Professional development opportunities, tuition reimbursement and professional licensing assistance
• Paid parental leave after one year of employment

CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC residents only: In accordance with CO, CA, IL, NY, WA, and Washington DC law, the range provided is DLB's reasonable estimate of the base compensation for this role. The actual amount may differ based on non-discriminatory factors such as experience, knowledge, skills, abilities, and location.

Are you ready to challenge yourself and redefine standards in the AEC industry? Apply now and join our award-winning team!

Notice to Third Party Agencies

DLB does not accept unsolicited resumes from recruiters, employment agencies, or other staffing services. Unsolicited resumes include any resume or hiring document sent to DLB in the absence of a signed Service Agreement where DLB has expressly requested recruitment/staffing services specific to the position at hand.

Any unsolicited resumes, including those submitted to hiring managers or other business leaders, will become the property of DLB and DLB will have the right to hire that candidate without reservation – no fee or other compensation will be owed or paid to the recruiter, employment agency, or other staffing service.

• About Company ---

DLB Associates is a premier engineering and consulting firm specializing in innovative, mission-critical solutions across hyperscale data centers, advanced infrastructure, and high-performance building systems. With over four decades of expertise, we partner with some of the world’s most influential companies to design and optimize environments that demand precision, scalability, and resilience.

Join us and be part of a team where your voice matters, your work makes an impact, and your growth is a shared priority.