Substation Physical Engineer
Confirmed on the employer's own hiring board on Nov 2, 2026. First seen by Alion on Jul 7, 2026. Pond & Company scores A on the Alion truth index.
*Resume/CV must be submitted in English*
About the Position
We are currently seeking a Substation Physical Engineer to support the execution and development of electric utility infrastructure projects across the United States while being based in our Bogotá, Colombia office. This role will focus on the physical design and layout of high-voltage substations, supporting projects from distribution through transmission levels.
The ideal candidate will have an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering background with strong experience in substation physical design and constructability. This individual will be responsible for developing equipment layouts, grounding systems, conduit systems, lightning protection designs, and overall substation arrangements while coordinating closely with civil and structural engineering teams. Success in this position requires a strong understanding of U.S. utility standards, multidisciplinary coordination, and the ability to develop high-quality construction-ready design packages for complex substation projects.
Responsibilities
Develop substation physical design drawings, including general arrangements, elevations, conduit plans and details, grounding plans and details, lightning protection plans, and control building layouts
Develop and coordinate substation equipment layouts, raceway systems, and associated site infrastructure to meet project requirements and constructability considerations
Perform substation engineering calculations and analyses, including grounding studies, grounding system design, lightning protection calculations, conduit fill calculations, and voltage drop calculations
Support development of substation physical layouts that meet project requirements, electrical clearances, safety standards, and applicable industry codes
Develop technical equipment specifications, construction specifications, and engineering work scopes
Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including electrical, civil, structural, and protection & control engineers, to ensure design integration and consistency
Review design deliverables for accuracy, constructability, and compliance with client and industry standards
Support constructability reviews, field engineering support, and resolution of technical issues during construction
Coordinate foundation and structural plan development with civil and structural engineering teams
Ensure all design work aligns with U.S. utility standards, including applicable IEEE, NESC, and client-specific requirements
Contribute to project execution efforts by maintaining schedule, quality, and coordination across disciplines
Utilize CAD and 3D modeling tools to produce and modify detailed substation design drawings and layouts
Education and Experience
5+ years of experience in substation engineering with a primary focus on physical design
Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline preferred
Experience developing substation physical design deliverables, including general arrangements, elevations, grounding plans and details, conduit plans and details, lightning protection plans, and equipment layouts
Strong understanding of substation equipment arrangement, electrical clearances, constructability considerations, and physical layout requirements for high-voltage substations
Experience performing grounding studies, grounding calculations, lightning protection calculations, conduit fill calculations, and related physical design analyses
Experience developing foundation and steel plans and coordinating with civil and structural engineering teams responsible for detailed structural design
Familiarity with substation design parameters, clearances, and physical layout requirements for transmission and distribution substations
Experience with 3D substation design and modeling tools preferred
Proficiency with MicroStation and AutoCAD
Strong understanding of NESC, IEEE, and other applicable utility industry codes and standards
Experience supporting U.S.-based utility, EPC, or consulting engineering projects preferred
English proficiency at B2 level or higher (required to support U.S.-based teams and clients)
Strong communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary engineering environment
Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment
Demonstrated commitment to technical quality and continuous professional development
Preferred Qualifications
Experience with substation projects up to and including 500kV
Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or advanced AutoCAD workflows for substation design
Strong background in grounding system design and analysis for high-voltage substations
Experience working in EPC or engineering consulting environments supporting U.S. utilities
Knowledge of advanced substation physical design practices and industry best practices