Senior Substation Physical Engineer | Regional Technical Lead
CDM Smith· startup· Engineering & Infrastructure· Sep 21, 2026 · 1mo ago
Nationwide, United States
Hybrid
Full-time
Lead/Staff
$165K–$241K est.
15+ years exp
Job description
Company Overview
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Imagine a place committed to offering an unmatched employee experience. Where you work on projects that are meaningful to you. Where you play an active part in shaping your career journey. Where your co-workers are invested in you and your success. Where you are encouraged and supported to do your very best and given the tools and resources to do so. Where it’s a priority that the company takes good care of you and your family.
Our employees are the heart of our company. As an employer of choice, our goal is to provide a challenging, progressive and inclusive work environment which fosters personal leadership, career growth and development for every employee. We value passionate individuals who challenge the norm, deliver world-class solutions and bring diverse perspectives. Join our team, and together we will make a difference and change the world.
Job Description
CDM Smith is seeking a Senior Substation Physical Engineer | Regional Technical Leader to provide both technical and organizational leadership within our growing Power and Energy practice. This role combines advanced engineering expertise in High Voltage (HV) substation design with responsibility for leading, developing, and growing a team of engineering professionals.
The successful candidate will serve as a recognized technical authority for substation physical design, lead complex project execution, mentor engineering staff, support business growth, and oversee team performance, utilization, and resource planning. This position is ideal for a proven engineering leader who is passionate about delivering exceptional client service, advancing technical excellence, and developing the next generation of engineers.
Preferred locations include: Wadsworth, OH; Columbus, OH; Pittsburgh, PA; Philadelphia, PA; and CDM Smith offices in New Jersey, New York, Virginia, and Georgia. Other CDM Smith U.S. locations may be considered based on candidate qualifications.
Technical Leadership & Project Delivery
• Lead the design, execution, and delivery of HV substation projects ranging from 230kV to 345kV.
• Serve as Engineer of Record (EOR) and technical authority for substation physical design, including AIS/GIS substations, equipment layouts, grounding, lightning protection, and station service systems.
• Review and approve engineering deliverables, studies, and calculations to ensure compliance with client requirements, industry standards, and CDM Smith quality procedures.
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams to support integrated project delivery from planning and design through construction, commissioning, and startup.
• Drive technical excellence through quality reviews, engineering standards development, and continuous improvement initiatives.
People Leadership & Team Development
• Lead, mentor, and develop a team of engineers and designers to support technical excellence and career growth.
• Conduct performance evaluations and support employee development through coaching, training, mentoring, succession planning, and professional registration efforts.
• Recruit, hire, onboard, and retain top engineering talent to meet project and business needs.
• Foster a culture of collaboration, accountability, innovation, and continuous improvement.
• Support employee engagement initiatives and recognize key achievements, certifications, promotions, and career milestones.
Business Operations & Client Service
• Manage team utilization, staffing, workload distribution, direct labor, and profitability goals.
• Coordinate resource planning and project staffing with Technical Discipline Managers and project leadership.
• Monitor project budgets, schedules, and performance to support successful project delivery.
• Support business development activities, including proposals, presentations, strategic pursuits, and client relationship management.
• Build and maintain strong relationships with clients, partners, and key stakeholders while ensuring compliance with quality, safety, ethics, and training requirements.
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Skills & Abilities
• Demonstrated leadership ability with a track record of developing, mentoring, and retaining high-performing engineering teams.
• Strong expertise in HV substation design, utility standards, and power delivery infrastructure.
• Broad knowledge of substation physical design, including AIS/GIS substations, grounding, lightning protection, equipment arrangements, station service systems, and protection & control integration.
• Proven ability to manage complex projects, budgets, schedules, resources, and competing priorities.
• Strong client relationship management and business development skills.
• Excellent written, verbal, and presentation communication skills.
• Working knowledge of utilization, profitability, staffing, and other consulting business metrics.
• Commitment to quality, safety, innovation, continuous improvement, and exceptional client service.
• Ability to collaborate effectively across disciplines, offices, and digital delivery teams.
Qualifications
• Bachelor's degree in Electrical or Electronic Engineering, or Electrical Technology or related discipline.
• Professional engineering (PE) license.
• 15 years of related experience.
• Equivalent additional directly related experience will be considered in lieu of a degree.
• Domestic and/or international travel may be required. The frequency of travel is contingent on specific duties, responsibilities, and the essential functions of the position, which may vary depending on workload and project demands.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience leading regional or multi-office engineering teams.
• Proven experience delivering HV substation projects from 13.8kV to 345kV, including AIS and GIS substations.
• Experience serving as Engineer of Record (EOR) for utility, transmission, or EPC projects.
• Strong background in both substation physical design and protection & control systems.
• Experience performing advanced engineering studies and developing detailed substation engineering deliverables.
• Proficiency with industry-standard power system and grounding software tools.
• Experience supporting business development, strategic growth initiatives, and major client pursuits.
• Established relationships within the utility, transmission, or power delivery markets.
• Experience developing engineering standards, quality programs, and technical best practices.
Amount of Travel Required
10% or less
EEO Statement
We attract the best people in the industry, supporting their efforts to learn and grow. We strive to create a challenging and progressive work environment. We provide career opportunities that span a variety of disciplines and geographic locations, with projects that our employees plan, design, build and operate as diverse as the needs of our clients. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries are an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex (including pregnancy, pregnancy related conditions, childbirth and related medical conditions, sexual orientation, gender identity or gender expression), national origin, age, marital status, physical or mental disability, veteran status, citizenship status, genetic information or any other characteristic protected by applicable law.
Background Check and Drug Testing Information
CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries (hereafter collectively referred to as “CDM Smith”) reserves the right to require background checks including criminal, employment, education, licensure, etc. as well as credit and motor vehicle when applicable for certain positions. In addition, CDM Smith may conduct drug testing for designated positions. Background checks are conducted after an offer of employment has been made in the United States. The timing of when background checks will be conducted on candidates for positions outside the United States will vary based on country statutory law but in no case, will the background check precede an interview. CDM Smith will conduct interviews of qualified individuals prior to requesting a criminal background check, and no job application submitted prior to such interview shall inquire into an applicant's criminal history. If this position is subject to a background check for any convictions related to its responsibilities and requirements, employment will be contingent upon successful completion of a background investigation including criminal history. Criminal history will not automatically disqualify a candidate. In addition, during employment individuals may be required by CDM Smith or a CDM Smith client to successfully complete additional background checks, including motor vehicle record as well as drug testing.
Massachusetts Applicants
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.
Additional Pay Range Information
CDM Smith is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. This pay range is a good faith estimate representative of all experience levels for the geographic location assigned to the position. In addition to geographic location, a candidate’s salary is determined by several other factors including, but not limited to, the role, function and associated responsibilities, relevant work experience, skills, required certifications, and education/training.
Additional Compensation
All bonuses at CDM Smith are discretionary and may or may not apply to this position.
Visa Sponsorship Available
No-We will not support sponsorship in the United States, i.e. H-1B or TN Visas for this position
Agency Disclaimer
All vendors must have a signed CDM Smith Placement Agreement from the CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Manager to receive payment for your placement. Verbal or written commitments from any other member of the CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries staff will not be considered binding terms. All unsolicited resumes sent to CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries and any resume submitted to any employee outside of CDM Smith Talent Acquisition Team will be considered property of CDM Smith. CDM Smith Inc. and its divisions and subsidiaries will not be held liable to pay a placement fee.
Pay Range Max
USD $248,394.00
Pay Range Min
USD $134,264.00
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