B.S. in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent; active Professional Engineer license required.
7+ years of experience in electric utility substation engineering, design review, commissioning, or construction support; experience with 138 kV and 345 kV facilities preferred.
Proven experience as an Owner's Engineer or in EPC oversight with strong knowledge of substation primary systems and industry standards.
Experience in reviewing specifications, material lists, vendor submittals, and commissioning plans.
Strong communication skills for providing concise recommendations and maintaining traceable review records.
Ability to work within the Owner's operational footprint and travel as needed; remote work must comply with security requirements.
Proficiency in Microsoft 365 and familiarity with utility design/project systems like GIS and Primavera P6.
Responsibilities
Provide owner-side electrical engineering support throughout project phases, identifying technical risks early.
Develop and review Owner's Project Specifications and ensure compliance with company standards.
Review EPC design processes and deliverables for quality and compliance, managing comment logs and issues.
Conduct detailed reviews of substation electrical designs and related studies, offering risk-informed recommendations.
Coordinate electrical interfaces with various teams and participate in field layout reviews.
Validate EPC material lists and support procurement processes, ensuring alignment with project requirements.
Oversee EPC electrical work in the field, ensuring conformance with approved specifications and procedures.
Benefits
Opportunity to work on major EPC transmission and substation projects.
Engagement in a role that preserves the Owner's decision-making authority while collaborating with contractors.
Chance to influence project outcomes through independent technical reviews and recommendations.
Support for professional development and continuous improvement through innovative technology and AI tools.
Flexible work arrangements with remote work options compliant with security requirements.
Full Job Description
The Opportunity
Ulteig is seeking an experienced Lead Substation Electrical Owner's Engineer to serve as an extension of the owner's project team for major EPC transmission and substation projects. This role provides independent technical review, procurement support, field assurance, and documented recommendations while preserving the Owner's decision-making authority and the EPC Contractor's design and construction responsibilities.
What You'll Do
Project Engineering Support
Provide owner-side electrical engineering support across project development, design, construction, commissioning, and energization; identify technical risks early and support stage-gate readiness.
Develop, review, or refine Owner's Project Specifications and owner-side technical input to the Basis of Design; verify use of current Company standards and project requirements.
Review EPC design QA/QC processes and preliminary through final deliverables for completeness, consistency, quality, constructability, and compliance. Manage comment logs, deviations, recurring issues, root-cause trends, and closure status.
Review detailed substation electrical design, including one-lines, three-lines, AC/DC schematics, wiring, control buildings, power transformers, breakers, disconnects, bus, CTs/PTs, batteries/DC systems, protection and control, SCADA/communications, grounding, and lightning protection.
Review short-circuit, coordination, arc-flash, AC/DC, grounding, and related equipment studies/specifications; provide risk-informed and value-engineering recommendations to the Owner.
Coordinate electrical interfaces with civil, structural, transmission line, communications, operations, outage planning, permitting, and construction teams; participate in field layout and constructability reviews.
Material Specification Development & Procurement Support
Review and validate EPC material lists, specification codes, item numbers, quantities, bid descriptions, and technical requirements for standard and non-standard materials; document exceptions and recommendations.
Support procurement packaging, technical bid evaluations, vendor proposal reviews, long-lead equipment planning, logistics, expediting, storage, preservation, traceability, and alignment with design maturity and construction sequencing.
Review supplier drawings, certified test documentation, material test reports, inspection records, and procurement submittals; track discrepancies, non-conformances, manufacturing status, release status, and material readiness.
Provide qualified support for factory acceptance testing of major substation equipment; document observations, test results, deficiencies, and follow-up actions for Owner review.
Advise on project-specific spare parts and strategic spare equipment based on standardization, operational needs, lifecycle maintenance, and portfolio considerations.
Construction Oversight & Quality Assurance
Provide owner-side field oversight of EPC and subcontractor electrical work; evaluate conformance with approved drawings, specifications, procedures, acceptance criteria, and project requirements without directing the Contractor unless expressly authorized.
Attend construction progress and site coordination meetings; assess work packaging, site readiness, sequencing, access, quality, safety, schedule, and constructability. Escalate field issues and potential non-conformances promptly.
Review field QC testing, inspection results, construction quality records, and corrective actions. Maintain clear field reports, issue logs, quality-surveillance records, NCR tracking, and closure documentation.
Review commissioning plans, energization procedures, functional/performance test requirements, completion certificates, and turnover checklists. Witness testing and energization activities when requested; document exceptions and readiness concerns.
Track punch-list items, test exceptions, deficiencies, required records, and milestone readiness through closure; support as-built, O&M, warranty, and final turnover documentation review.
What We Expect from You
B.S. in Electrical Engineering from an ABET-accredited program or equivalent; active Professional Engineer license required.
7+ years of electric utility substation engineering, design review, commissioning, or construction support experience; experience with 138 kV and 345 kV facilities strongly preferred.
Demonstrated Owner's Engineer or EPC oversight experience and strong knowledge of substation primary systems, protection and control, SCADA, studies, grounding, and applicable utility/industry standards.
Experience reviewing specifications, material lists, vendor submittals, FAT documentation, field quality records, commissioning plans, and energization readiness evidence.
Ability to communicate concise, defensible recommendations; maintain traceable review records; lead multidisciplinary interfaces; and distinguish review/monitoring responsibilities from Owner approval authority.
Ability to work within the Owner's operational footprint and travel to project sites, supplier facilities, and EPC offices as needed. Remote work must be performed within the United States unless otherwise authorized and compliant with security requirements.
Proficiency with Microsoft 365 and familiarity with utility design/project systems such as GIS, SAP, Primavera P6, Bentley MicroStation, and ProjectWise is preferred. Permanent authorization to work in the U.S. required.
Demonstrates openness to innovation by embracing and applying evolving technology and AI tools to enhance workflows, solve problems, and drive continuous improvement
Must have authorization to work permanently in the U.S.
About Ulteig Engineers Inc
Ulteig Engineers is a leading engineering and technical services firm that delivers comprehensive and integrated services to clients in the power, transportation, oil and gas, and water markets. The company provides engineering, surveying, and consulting services to clients across the United States. Ulteig Engineers has a team of over 800 professionals who are committed to delivering innovative solutions that meet the unique needs of each client. The company is headquartered in Fargo, North Dakota, and has additional offices in Minnesota, Colorado, and Iowa.
