Lead Substation Electrical Engineer

  • Full-time
  • State/Province: Illinois
  • Business Group: DCS
  • Legal Entity: AECOM Technical Services Inc
  • Business Line: Energy
  • Work Location Model: Remote
  • Operating Group: Americas
  • Primary Location: US - Chicago, IL - 130 East Randolph
  • Compensation: USD 140000 - USD 190000 - yearly

Company Description

Work with Us. Change the World.

At AECOM, we're delivering a better world. Whether improving your commute, keeping the lights on, providing access to clean water, or transforming skylines, our work helps people and communities thrive. We are the world's trusted infrastructure consulting firm, partnering with clients to solve the world’s most complex challenges and build legacies for future generations.

There has never been a better time to be at AECOM. With accelerating infrastructure investment worldwide, our services are in great demand. We invite you to bring your bold ideas and big dreams and become part of a global team of over 50,000 planners, designers, engineers, scientists, digital innovators, program and construction managers and other professionals delivering projects that create a positive and tangible impact around the world.

We're one global team driven by our common purpose to deliver a better world. Join us.

Job Description

Job Description


Lead Substation Electrical Engineer

AECOM Energy | Remote (U.S.)

Help Power the Future

AECOM is seeking a Lead Substation Electrical Engineer to join our growing Energy practice in a remote role based anywhere in the United States. This position offers the opportunity to lead the design and delivery of critical transmission, distribution, renewable energy, and grid modernization projects while working alongside some of the industry's top engineering professionals.

As a technical leader within AECOM's Power Delivery team, you will play a key role in helping utilities and energy clients navigate an evolving energy landscape by delivering innovative, reliable, and resilient substation solutions.

Whether supporting grid expansion, renewable energy integration, or infrastructure modernization, you'll have the flexibility of a remote work environment while contributing to impactful projects across North America.

The Opportunity

As a Lead Substation Electrical Engineer, you will provide technical leadership for the planning, design, and delivery of utility-scale substation projects. Working with multidisciplinary teams, clients, and project managers, you will support projects from concept development through construction while ensuring technical excellence, quality, and client satisfaction.

This role is ideal for an experienced engineer who enjoys solving complex technical challenges, mentoring others, and building strong client relationships while contributing to the continued growth of AECOM's Energy business.

What You'll Do

Technical Leadership

  • Lead the engineering and design of transmission and distribution substation projects for utility, renewable energy, and industrial clients.

  • Provide technical guidance and oversight for substation physical design, protection and control integration, grounding systems, equipment layouts, and power delivery infrastructure.

  • Support the development and review of one-line diagrams, protection schemes, equipment specifications, construction packages, and design documentation.

  • Apply engineering expertise throughout project phases including planning, conceptual design, detailed design, procurement, and construction support.

  • Support engineering studies and analyses related to grounding, equipment sizing, fault current evaluations, and substation design considerations.

  • Stay current with evolving technologies, industry standards, and utility practices related to substations, grid modernization, and power delivery systems.

Project Delivery

  • Lead engineering tasks and coordinate multidisciplinary project teams to deliver high-quality work on schedule and within budget.

  • Support project planning, resource coordination, technical reviews, and project execution activities.

  • Provide technical oversight for substation upgrades, expansions, brownfield modifications, and greenfield projects.

  • Collaborate with project managers to identify and mitigate risks while maintaining project objectives and client expectations.

  • Support construction activities through technical consultation, design clarifications, and resolution of field issues.

Client Engagement & Business Development

  • Build strong relationships with utility, renewable energy, and industrial clients.

  • Participate in client meetings, technical workshops, presentations, and project reviews.

  • Support proposal development, scope definition, cost estimates, and pursuit efforts.

  • Identify opportunities to expand services and strengthen long-term client partnerships.

  • Collaborate with regional and national teams to support strategic growth initiatives.

Collaboration & Mentorship

  • Mentor engineers and designers while supporting technical development and knowledge sharing.

  • Collaborate with civil, structural, transmission, protection and control, and program management teams.

  • Contribute to engineering best practices and continuous improvement initiatives across the Energy practice.

  • Foster a culture of technical excellence, innovation, safety, and collaboration.

Qualifications

What We're Looking For

  • Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline and 6 years of relevant experience or demonstrated equivalency of experience and/or education.

  • Professional Engineer (PE) license.

Preferred Qualifications

  • Experience supporting transmission and distribution substation projects.

  • Strong understanding of electrical engineering principles, utility infrastructure, and power delivery systems.

  • Experience leading engineering tasks, reviewing technical deliverables, and coordinating project teams.

  • Knowledge of industry standards and codes such as IEEE, NESC, and NEC.

  • Strong communication, leadership, and client relationship skills.

  • Experience with industry-standard engineering and design software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, ETAP, Aspen, CAPE, or similar tools.

  • Ability to work independently while collaborating effectively in a remote environment.

  • Willingness to travel periodically for project, client, and team needs.

  • Advanced degree in Engineering or a related technical field and 10 years of relevant experience.

  • Experience supporting utility, renewable energy, grid modernization, or energy transition projects.

  • Experience mentoring engineers and contributing to technical leadership initiatives.

  • Familiarity with substation physical design, protection and control systems, SCADA integration, or related power system applications.

Additional Information

THIS POSTING IS FOR A CURRENT VACANCY, AND AECOM INTENDS TO FILL THIS POSITION BY NOVEMBER 30,2026

Relocation assistance is not available for this position.

Sponsorship for US employment authorization is not available now or in the future for this position. 

At AECOM, we are committed to maintaining a secure and trustworthy recruitment process and take any fraudulent hiring activity seriously. To support this commitment, all newly hired employees are required to attend an in-person Day 1 onboarding at an AECOM office location as a condition of employment.

 

About AECOM 

AECOM is proud to offer comprehensive benefits to meet the diverse needs of our employees. Depending on your employment status, AECOM benefits may include medical, dental, vision, life, AD&D, disability benefits, paid time off, leaves of absences, voluntary benefits, perks, flexible work options, well-being resources, employee assistance program, business travel insurance, service recognition awards, retirement savings plan, and employee stock purchase plan. 

AECOM is the global infrastructure leader, committed to delivering a better world. As a trusted professional services firm powered by deep technical abilities, we solve our clients’ complex challenges in water, environment, energy, transportation and buildings. Our teams partner with public- and private-sector clients to create innovative, sustainable and resilient solutions throughout the project lifecycle – from advisory, planning, design and engineering to program and construction management. AECOM is a Fortune 500 firm that had revenue of $16.1 billion in fiscal year 2025. Learn more at aecom.com. 

What makes AECOM a great place to work 

You will be part of a global team that champions your growth and career ambitions. Work on groundbreaking projects - both in your local community and on a global scale - that are transforming our industry and shaping the future. With cutting-edge technology and a network of experts, you’ll have the resources to make a real impact. Our award-winning training and development programs are designed to expand your technical expertise and leadership skills, helping you build the career you’ve always envisioned. Here, you’ll find a welcoming workplace built on respect, collaboration and community—where you have the freedom to grow in a world of opportunity. 

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we believe in your potential and are here to help you achieve it. All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines. 

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