Principal Substation/Transmission Engineer

ROLE
WHC Energy Services – A Surerus Murphy Company (WHC), is seeking to recruit a Principal Substation/Transmission Engineer. This is a unique role that combines hands-on high voltage substation and transmission engineering with strategic leadership and innovation. This position is ideal for a dynamic individual with an entrepreneurial mindset and a get-it-done attitude, excelling in hands-on engineering, process optimization, and strategic planning. This position is ideal for a dynamic individual with an entrepreneurial mindset and a get-it-done attitude, excelling in hands-on engineering, process optimization, and strategic planning. The ideal candidate is flexible in assignments, driven by innovation and process improvement, and eager to learn and lead in a dynamic environment.

KEY RESPONSIBILITIES

• High Voltage System Design
  • Develop and refine standardized substation and transmission engineering specifications and requirements, including preliminary design concepts, one-line diagrams, equipment specifications, and internal design and construction standards.
  • Engage directly in critical high voltage design tasks, such as transformer and switchgear specification, protective relay coordination, preliminary transmission design routing and concepts, and system studies.
  • Define and enforce design frameworks for third-party engineering firms, ensuring their designs align with WHC's objectives and adhere to sound substation and transmission engineering principles.
• Design Management
  • Oversee electrical design review processes, supporting project and design managers by overseeing and evaluating documents prepared by third-party engineering firms. Ensure all designs meet or exceed client requirements, industry standards, and best practices.
  • Provide expert guidance in high voltage engineering during internal and external design reviews, spearheading the review and comment process for these critical scopes.
  • Conduct site evaluations and assessments, offering solutions to any high voltage design or construction issues, ensuring projects proceed smoothly and effectively.
  • Champion continuous improvement, streamlining engineering processes, identifying opportunities to enhance efficiency, quality, and cost-effectiveness across projects.
• Growth and Innovation
  • Lead automation initiatives in substation and transmission engineering design, driving efficiency, innovation, and scalability across WHC’s projects.Provide strategic guidance on high voltage engineering to estimating and construction teams, standardizing key aspects to ensure efficient and cost-effective project execution.
  • Lead risk assessment and mitigation strategies for substation and transmission projects, collaborating with cross-functional teams to develop effective solutions.
  • Guide the evolution of estimating and construction processes, working closely with relevant teams to develop and implement procedures, standards, and specifications that yield predictable and repeatable results.
  • Drive advancements in grid integration practices, identifying and addressing requirements such as reactive power requirements and harmonic distortion limits, while collaborating with teams to implement innovative solutions.
  • Foster a culture of continuous improvement and innovation, staying abreast of industry trends and emerging technologies.
• Field Engineering Development
  • Mentor field engineering teams in electrical and high-voltage disciplines, providing the knowledge and tools needed to scale WHC's capabilities in the HV electrical market.
  • Implement and disseminate best practices, procedures, and tools within the field engineering teams, ensuring they are prepared to meet future project demands.
  • Lead system integration efforts, ensuring interconnection compliance, managing utility performance and commissioning testing, and coordinating with utilities to drive projects to COD. Foster a culture of continuous learning and improvement among field engineering teams, facilitating knowledge sharing and promoting innovative problem-solving approaches to address complex field challenges.

Note: In addition to these duties personnel are required to carry out such other duties as may be reasonably required in order to support the objectives of the company.

POSITION REQUIREMENTS
Qualifications

• Master’s degree in electrical engineering with a valid PE license.

Experience

• 8 – 10+ years of progressive experience in high voltage substation and transmission design, protection and control systems, and grid connection engineering.
• Strong proficiency in developing engineering processes, guiding third-party designs, and creating standardized preliminary substation and transmission designs. This includes expertise in protective relay settings, control systems, and HV equipment sizing.
• Experience in mentoring field engineering teams and leading cross-functional projects.
• Proven track record of successfully completing substation and transmission projects, demonstrating proficiency in power flow analysis, relay coordination studies, and securing regulatory approvals.
• Strong understanding of regulatory and grid compliance standards (e.g., FERC, NERC), with experience ensuring engineering and construction activities meet interconnection requirements and pass regulatory reviews.

Skills and Knowledge

• Proficient in industry-standard software for high voltage software (e.g., ETAP, PSCAD, PLS-CADD, AutoCAD, SEL), with experience in design optimization, transmission route optimization, and specifying critical equipment.
• Excellent organizational, communication, and collaboration skills.
• Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced environment, adapting to new information and solving emerging challenges related to high voltage electrical systems.
• Familiarity with interconnection requirements in key markets such as ERCOT and Southeastern utilities, etc., with experience aligning engineering and construction efforts with grid operator and utility requirements.
• Capable of guiding teams through all project phases, from preliminary planning, engineering, procurement, construction and commissioning, including overseeing tests such as synchronization and protection relay settings validation.
• Willingness to travel (10-20%) for site investigations, client engagements, design reviews, and construction/commissioning support.

WORKING CONDITIONS
This position is based office in The Woodlands, TX. Travel is required, approximately 10-20% for site investigations, client meetings, and commissioning support.

REPORTING RELATIONSHIPS
The Principal Substation/Transmission Engineer reports to the Director – EPC and Strategic Projects.

EEO Statement

WHC Energy Services is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veterans’ status, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected by law.

We thank all applicants in advance. Only those selected for an interview will be contacted.