Substation Engineer – Owner's Engineer

Location: Johnston, RI (Remote – Must Reside Within Reasonable Driving Distance)

Work Schedule: Monday–Friday, 40 hours per week (majority of position is remote)

Position Type: Contract until mid October 2027, with possibility of extension

Travel: Approximately 5 site visits per year, with additional travel as project needs require

Position Overview

We are seeking an experienced Substation Engineer / Owner's Engineer to support electric utility substation engineering and construction projects.

This position is primarily remote; however, candidates must reside within reasonable driving distance of Johnston, Rhode Island, to attend occasional site visits, field walkdowns, and project meetings, approximately five times per year.

The ideal candidate will have a strong background in electric utility substation design, engineering drawings, project estimating, feasibility studies, and technical project oversight.

In this role, you will serve as the Owner's Engineer, providing technical leadership and overseeing engineering design contractors to ensure substation projects meet utility standards, safety requirements, project schedules, and budget expectations.

This is an excellent opportunity for an experienced substation engineer who enjoys technical oversight, design reviews, and working with engineering and construction teams throughout the project lifecycle.

Key Responsibilities

Substation Engineering & Design Oversight

• Serve as the Owner's Engineer for electric utility substation projects, overseeing engineering activities from initial planning through construction completion.
• Review substation engineering designs, electrical drawings, specifications, and technical documentation for accuracy and compliance.
• Ensure engineering designs meet established utility standards, industry requirements, and safety regulations.
• Review and evaluate engineering deliverables prepared by external design contractors and internal engineering teams.
• Provide technical guidance and recommendations to resolve engineering and design challenges.
• Review bills of materials (BOMs), equipment specifications, and material requirements for transmission and distribution substations.

Project Planning, Estimating & Coordination

• Prepare and review project cost estimates, feasibility studies, technical reports, and engineering estimation packages.
• Evaluate engineering proposals and assist in selecting qualified engineering contractors.
• Coordinate with project managers, construction managers, engineers, contractors, and other stakeholders.
• Review project scope, schedules, budgets, and technical requirements to identify potential risks.
• Support engineering decisions involving project costs, design alternatives, and constructability.
• Monitor engineering progress and ensure deliverables meet established project deadlines.

Construction Support & Field Reviews

• Participate in occasional site visits and field walkdowns to evaluate existing conditions and proposed substation designs.
• Review construction activities to ensure alignment with approved engineering drawings and specifications.
• Work with construction inspectors and contractors to address engineering questions and resolve technical issues.
• Identify potential design, access, environmental, and permitting concerns.
• Ensure projects meet applicable engineering, construction, and safety standards.

Engineering Standards & Technical Documentation

• Develop, review, and maintain engineering standards, specifications, and technical documentation.
• Collaborate with manufacturers and vendors to evaluate equipment and materials.
• Prepare technical reports, design review comments, and engineering recommendations.
• Maintain accurate documentation of engineering decisions and project requirements.
• Provide technical guidance and mentorship to junior engineers and project team members.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Engineering (Electrical, Mechanical, or Civil preferred).
• Minimum 5 years of experience designing electric utility substations.
• 6+ years of relevant experience involving engineering estimates, feasibility studies, electrical engineering drawings, and project lifecycle activities.
• Previous hands-on experience with substation design is required.
• Experience with transmission and distribution substations.
• Experience reviewing and preparing engineering drawings, bills of materials (BOMs), and technical specifications.
• Ability to prepare technical reports, engineering estimates, and project documentation.
• Proficiency with AutoCAD.
• Working knowledge of the National Electrical Safety Code (NESC).
• Strong understanding of electric utility engineering standards, construction practices, and safety requirements.
• Ability to review engineering designs and provide technical oversight to contractors.
• Strong organizational, communication, and problem-solving skills.
• Ability to manage multiple projects and changing priorities.
• Ability to work independently while collaborating with engineering and construction teams.
• Must reside within reasonable driving distance of Johnston, Rhode Island.
• Valid driver's license and ability to travel to project sites as needed.
• Must be authorized to work in the United States without employer sponsorship.

Preferred Qualifications

• 10+ years of electric utility substation design experience.
• 3+ years of project management experience.
• Previous experience serving as an Owner's Engineer or engineering technical lead.
• Experience overseeing third-party engineering design firms or construction contractors.
• Experience developing engineering standards and evaluating substation equipment.
• Experience supporting substation projects from initial feasibility and estimating through construction completion.

Work Environment

• Primarily remote position with occasional reporting to the Johnston, RI office and nearby project locations.
• Approximately five site visits per year, depending on project needs.
• Occasional fieldwork may involve walking through active utility facilities, climbing ladders, or accessing confined spaces, subject to applicable training and certification.
• Standard work schedule of five 8-hour days, Monday through Friday.
• Must be comfortable working independently and coordinating with multiple project stakeholders.

Ideal Candidate

The ideal candidate is an experienced electric utility substation engineer who understands both the technical design process and the overall project lifecycle.

This individual does not necessarily need to perform all substation design work personally but must have sufficient hands-on design experience to review drawings, identify engineering concerns, evaluate contractor work, and ensure designs meet utility requirements.

Candidates with experience in substation engineering, design consulting, utility infrastructure projects, or Owner's Engineer responsibilities are strongly encouraged to apply.