Substation Engineer

Urban Grid, a leading independent power producer, facilitates a rapid and sustainable energy transition by developing high-quality renewable energy projects, fostering community partnerships, and serving as a good land steward. Our company is positioned to own and operate its facilities while cultivating a land management system that benefits farmers, communities, and the natural world through agrivoltaics. Urban Grid maintains a delivery-focused approach with the goal of being a good neighbor, corporate citizen, and trusted energy solutions partner. Headquartered in Houston, Texas, with teams situated strategically throughout the United States, Urban Grid has a long history of contributing to the clean energy economy. In addition to 940 megawatts currently under construction, we are actively developing a growing portfolio of more than 12,000 megawatts of solar PV and 7,000 megawatts of co-located and stand-alone energy storage. To learn more, please visit www.UrbanGridSolar.com.

 Urban Grid is a portfolio company of Brookfield. one of the world’s largest owners and operators of renewable power and climate transition assets.

Job Summary

Urban Grid is seeking a highly skilled and motivated Substation Engineer to join our team. The successful candidate will have a minimum of 5 years of experience specifically related to substation design and construction, with a deep understanding of utility scale solar power plant system design and function.  As a Substation Engineer, the candidate will play a crucial role in the design, implementation, and maintenance of electrical substations for Urban Grid’s solar power projects. The candidate’s expertise will contribute to the reliability, efficiency, and performance optimization of Urban Grid’s solar energy systems.  The primary responsibilities of the Substation Engineer will be overseeing the successful high voltage design and construction of utility scale solar collector substations, while supporting Urban Grid’s Project Delivery and Operations & Maintenance (O&M) Teams on requests associated with the plants’ high voltage systems.  The successful candidate will develop design standards and assist with construction and long-term operation.

 The Substation Engineer will provide oversight and technical management of utility switchyards and collector substations during preconstruction and construction through O&M for multiple Urban Grid solar projects.  The successful candidate will be responsible for reviewing contract technical documents and drawings during the EPC bidding and design phases and managing the substation design through construction to O&M.  The role entails responding to requests for information (RFIs) and coordinating with EPC’s and engineering consultants to answer substation design and construction related project questions.  The successful candidate will have a broad knowledge substation design and construction and will be responsible for ensuring all projects meet the standards and specifications outlined in the Contract Documents for each project.  The Substation Engineer will also be responsible for the coordination and delivery of design drawings and technical documents to ensure each project remains on schedule.  The successful candidate will have direct experience in construction of utility switchyards and collector substations, preferably in the utility scale solar industry.

Responsibilities

• Responsible for managing the development of detailed engineering designs for electrical substations within solar power plants, ensuring compliance with industry standards and project specifications.
• Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams to integrate substations seamlessly with solar plant components.
• Help specify and select substation equipment, including transformers, switchgear, circuit breakers, and protective relays.
• Collaborate with Urban Grid Procurement and Supply Chain Teams to ensure the technical accuracy, timely, and cost-effective acquisition of required equipment.
• Manage / oversee commissioning of electrical substations, conducting testing and validation of equipment and systems.
• Ensure that all substation activities adhere to relevant safety standards and regulatory requirements.
• Develop and maintain standard operating procedures and comprehensive documentation related to substation design, specifications, and record drawings.
• Provide training to O&M teams on substation equipment and procedures.
• Collaborate with internal teams, external consultants, and contractors to achieve project goals.
• Communicate effectively with stakeholders, providing technical expertise and project updates.
• Develop scope of work documents, specifications, and technical exhibits in response to project specific conditions or equipment needs.
• Provide coordination for collector substation & switchyard design and construction activities.
• Review contractor and vendor equipment submittals to acknowledge substation compliance with IFC drawings.
• Work with Owner’s Engineers, EPCs, and engineering consultants to coordinate review and finalization of design drawings per contract requirements.

Location:  Houston, Texas office location is preferred.  Remote working is negotiable depending on individual circumstances.  Position may require periodic trips to active construction sites, or Richmond, VA for team meetings or site visits to support engineering and development activities.

Requirements

• Bachelor’s degree in engineering (preferably electrical, or renewable energy-related fields).  
• Professional Engineer license preferred.
• In-depth knowledge of substation / high voltage design, equipment specifications, and interconnection planning.
• Direct experience in general solar plant design and construction preferred.
• Working knowledge of relevant engineering electrical codes and standards (NEC, IEEE, ASTM and others).
• Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
• Familiarity with AutoCAD, ETAP, or other relevant engineering software.
• Must have the ability to lead execution of work and resolve issues in a team environment.
• Must be self-motivated and be able to work both individually and/or in a collaborative team environment with minimal guidance.
• Must be able to manage multiple deadlines and priorities while creating and maintaining internal and external relationships with contractors and co-workers, respectively.
• Must have excellent oral and written communication skills. Must be able to coordinate and communicate work with multiple disciplines, organizations, agencies, vendors, and contractors.

Benefits

Urban Grid offers an exciting benefits package, including medical, dental, vision, health savings account, flexible spending account, company-paid life insurance and short-term disability, voluntary life, and long-term disability, paid parental leave, and a retirement plan with matching. Full-time position with a competitive compensation package, including bonus.