Electrical Project Engineer - Substation

Why Black and Veatch

Black & Veatch allows you to lend your talent and perspective to humanity’s biggest challenges in a flexible environment where you are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities. We offer competitive compensation; 401K match and benefits that start day one.

At Black & Veatch, you own your career with purpose and meaning. You are empowered to grow and explore new possibilities at every step of your career journey. Bring your big ideas knowing you are safe to be who you are and speak up with concerns or questions and put your diverse talents and perspectives to use. #LI-TF1

The Team

Black & Veatch is Ranked #4 Overall in Power by Engineering News-Record (2025). Our Technology, Commercial & Industrial Team has specialized capabilities focused on the latest needs for clients in a fast-growth technology-led arena of advanced manufacturing, and generative AI computing including gigafactories, bio/ag tech, data centers and distributed infrastructure. By joining our market sector, you will have the opportunity to be involved in cutting-edge technology and work with a team that moves quickly with decisions and expectations.

Our specialized team provides complete engineering, procurement, and construction new asset and operating asset services in the following areas:

• Substations
• Renewables Integration
• HVDC/FACTS/STATCOM
• Datacenters Integration
• BESS Integration

The Opportunity

As an Electrical Project Engineer, you may have the opportunity to:

• Function as a Technical Specialist or Project Lead Role, providing project coordination, guidance and expertise on assigned substation projects.
• Support a variety of substation projects ranging up to 765kV in engineering detailed design and Engineering, Procurement and Construction (EPC).
• Develop protection and control design deliverables including protective relays, panel arrangements, one line/single line diagrams, three line diagrams, AC/DC schematics, relay panel wiring and equipment wiring within high voltage substation designs.
• Develop physical design deliverables including yard layout plans, grounding, lightning protection, control building arrangements, and auxiliary AC/DC power systems within high voltage substation designs.
• Perform or oversee quality review of electrical substation design packages.
• Provide guidance and mentorship to junior team members.
• Prepare electrical equipment specifications and Bills of Materials (BOM) for procurement and construction.
• Communicate and coordinate project activities and activities with clients, vendors, subcontractors and other stakeholders.
• Present proposals, designs and project activities.
• Potential travel opportunities to client and vendor offices and/or project sites for design reviews, construction coordination and field verification.
• Prepare and manage design budgets and schedules.
• Provide support to business development or pursuit activities.

This opportunity is located in Chicago, IL.

Key Responsibilities

• Continues developing knowledge and may provide guidance and direction on design guides, standards, systems, applicable engineering codes and B&V policies. Provides technical guidance to others regarding projects and disciplines.
• Independently applies knowledge and complies with B&V quality program relative to assigned tasks. May be responsible for ensuring compliance with B&V quality program. Provides related guidance and direction to others. Supports continuous improvement and change management efforts.
• Prepares a variety of engineering deliverables for larger or multiple projects. Performs research and develops recommendations for equipment and/or materials selection. May oversee collection, assimilation, and management of data for engineering work. Prepares engineering calculations following standard methods and principles. Prepares and manages assigned budget, schedule, and quality requirements. Independently applies advanced engineering techniques and analysis problems and methods. Actively delegates appropriate tasks to lower level team members to develop depth of project execution staff. Reviews lower level engineering work or assignments. Is responsible for one or more of the following: leading production teams; coordinating multiple discipline activity; and serving as the responsible charge for a project.
• Actively coordinates with all other internal/external team members on moderately complex projects.
• Responsible for assisting with identification of key client interests and drivers on high voltage substation projects. Communicates client interests and drivers to project team members and develops approaches to accommodate these concerns in the performance of the work on high voltage substation projects. Provides support to business development or pursuit activities and may offer other services to clients.
• Recognized as a technical specialist and has knowledge and skill set to provide consultation and guidance to project teams in a particular practice area. May design a complete project or support multiple projects on the complex technical challenges. Actively fosters knowledge management and provides mentoring. May develop and apply advanced engineering concepts and approaches to unique engineering problems
• Typically assists with performance management process, mentoring, recognition, and any corrective actions required. May participate in career planning, and learning and development. Actively mentors lower level professionals and identifies successors to train in the specifics of their role.
• May assist with resource management strategy. May have responsibility of engineering resources for small groups of a single discipline.

May be accountable for some administrative responsibilities that include but aren't limited to:

• Ensuring policies, procedures and processes are effectively implemented and communicated for work group.
• Ensuring adherence to corporate and division programs.
• Approving timesheets and expense reports.

Preferred Qualifications

• High voltage (HV) substation design experience – Physical and/or Protection & Controls
• Project lead and technical specialist experience overseeing utility substation clients and projects
• QA/QC Reviews – Quality Assurance/Quality Checks
• Experience coordinating and communicating with Clients, Multidisciplinary Leads and Project Managers
• Professional Engineer (PE) License
• Proficient with Bluebeam Revu and Microsoft Office Programs (such as Outlook, Excel, Powerpoint, etc.)

Minimum Qualifications

• Bachelor's Degree in Engineering from either a recognized accredited program in their home country or the country in which the professional is practicing.
• Minimum of 5 years related work experience.
• All applicants must be able to complete pre-employment onboarding requirements (if selected) which may include any/all of the following: criminal/civil background check, drug screen, and motor vehicle records search, in compliance with any applicable laws and regulations.

Certifications

Work Environment/Physical Demands

Hybrid or flexible work options may be offered after the first 90 days of employment based upon manager discretion, job performance and work assignments.