Job Title: Substation EngineerJob DescriptionThis role is for an experienced Substation / Protection & Control (P&C) Engineer based in Houston, Texas. The engineer will lead and execute electric utility substation engineering and design projects, serving as a technical authority on physical substation design and P&C interfaces while supporting a growing team and contributing to high-quality, comprehensive design packages.
Responsibilities
- Lead and perform engineering and detailed design for electric utility substations, with a focus on physical substation engineering and Protection & Control (P&C) integration.
- Serve as Lead Engineer, Technical Lead, Engineer of Record, or senior technical reviewer for utility substation projects, ensuring technical accuracy and compliance with applicable standards.
- Execute and oversee substation projects including greenfield and brownfield developments, expansions, equipment replacements, transformer additions, and capacity upgrades.
- Develop and refine physical substation designs, including equipment layout, electrical clearances, bus design, grounding systems, lightning protection, station service, conduit and cable systems, and equipment specifications.
- Develop, review, and approve engineering calculations, drawings, technical specifications, and complete design packages for substation projects.
- Apply and help develop engineering standards, technical review processes, and QA/QC procedures to ensure consistent, high-quality deliverables.
- Coordinate and manage interfaces between physical substation engineering, P&C, civil/structural engineering, construction, and utility operations to ensure integrated project solutions.
- Identify technical risks, analyze complex engineering issues, and provide sound engineering judgment and recommendations to project teams and clients.
- Mentor and technically develop engineers and designers, providing guidance, training, and review to support their professional growth.
- Communicate effectively in writing and verbally with internal engineering teams and utility clients, presenting technical information clearly and professionally.
- Collaborate with project stakeholders to ensure designs comply with utility standards and relevant industry codes and standards, including NESC, IEEE, ANSI, and NEC.
- Support continuous improvement initiatives within the engineering team, contributing to best practices, standardization, and process enhancements.
Essential Skills
- Bachelors degree in Electrical Engineering or a related engineering discipline.
- Professional Engineer (PE) license, with the ability to obtain licensure in additional jurisdictions as required.
- Minimum of 12 years of progressive experience in electric utility substation engineering and design.
- Extensive hands-on experience with physical substation engineering and detailed substation design.
- Demonstrated experience serving as a Lead Engineer, Technical Lead, Engineer of Record, or senior technical reviewer on utility substation projects.
- Strong technical knowledge of physical substation design, including equipment layout, electrical clearances, bus design, grounding, lightning protection, station service, conduit and cable systems, and equipment specifications.
- Experience with utility substation projects such as greenfield and brownfield developments, expansions, equipment replacements, transformer additions, and capacity upgrades.
- Experience developing and reviewing engineering calculations, drawings, specifications, and complete design packages.
- Working knowledge of utility standards and applicable industry codes and standards, including NESC, IEEE, ANSI, and NEC.
- Ability to identify technical risks, resolve complex engineering issues, and exercise sound engineering judgment.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills, with the ability to communicate effectively with engineering teams and utility clients.
- Technical expertise in substation, P&C, relay, and physical substation engineering.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience developing or applying engineering standards, technical review processes, and QA/QC procedures.
- Strong understanding of the interfaces between physical substation engineering, P&C, civil/structural engineering, construction, and utility operations.
- Demonstrated ability to mentor and technically develop engineers and designers.
- Ability to work effectively in a growing team environment and contribute to team culture and knowledge sharing.
Work EnvironmentThis position is based in Houston, Texas and operates on a standard 40-hour workweek. The role supports a new and growing team, offering opportunities for professional growth, holiday benefits, paid time off (PTO), and remote work flexibility. Work is primarily performed in a professional office or remote setting, using modern engineering tools and collaboration platforms, with a focus on delivering high-quality substation engineering solutions in a supportive and growth-oriented environment. Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX. Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $55.00 - $70.00/hr. Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
Medical, dental & vision Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital 401(k) Retirement Plan Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) Short and long-term disability Health Spending Account (HSA) Transportation benefits Employee Assistance Program Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave) Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Austin, TX. Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Nov 23, 2026. Workplace TypeThis is a fully remote position.About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance:
Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector:
It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI):
We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
