Actalent is currently seeking a qualified Substation Electrical Engineer for a position in Vancouver, WA.
This Electrical Engineer (Substation Design Engineer) is located within the Project Substation Scoping (TEEL) organization, which is responsible for developing technical electrical project scoping, designs and standards for substation projects such as reactor groups, capacitor groups, station service overhauls, power transformer replacements, power circuit breaker replacements, fiber optic cabling, and motor operated disconnects. Substation design engineers' responsibilities begin with evaluating and documenting high voltage outdoor substation electrical equipment for substation ratings compliance purposes, as well as project scope for design disciplines that include outdoor electrical equipment. The Substation design engineer effort continues by developing technical designs for assigned projects and function as a subject matter expert through the construction and closeout phases. This assignment will perform electrical engineer design services for multiple complex high voltage substation projects and will work closely with the assigned Project Managers (PM), assigned Project Engineer (PE) and other representatives from a wide variety of organizations across BPA.
Responsibilities Include:
Serve as an Electrical Design Engineer on multiple BPA manager-assigned projects in collaboration with Technical Engineering Leads, Project Management, the Project Engineering Team (PE), high voltage Engineers, and other Subject Matter Experts (SMEs) or representatives across BPA, providing expert electrical design engineering guidance to include:
Perform FAC-008 substation ratings compliance work including identification and documentation of outdoor substation equipment that limits the rating of a facility. Work to revise current data gathering processes to gain efficiencies where applicable.
Receive and review preliminary project documentation, such as the Concept Design Document (CDD), the Asset Plan Item (API) document, and other associated documents; validate Bundle ID's; and obtain project Work Orders (WOs) as appropriate per established processes.
Collaborate with applicable Project Manager to set the design due date. Should design schedule slip, alert the Project Manager, and review / revise the design due date. Obtain all appropriate approvals prior to adding scope changes to the project's design effort.
Meet, collaborate, communicate, and work closely with the assigned Project Engineer (PE) as needed.
Review the project SharePoint site to verify complete and accurate documentation; escalate concerns with missing or inaccurate site or data as per procedure. This includes verifying the Project Requirement Diagrams (PRDs) and necessary planning information is considered when developing the project designs and specifications.
Arrange, coordinate, and facilitate multiple meetings necessary to accomplish the work.
Create technical electrical designs and standards for substation projects such as reactor groups, capacitor groups, station service overhauls, power transformer replacements, power circuit breaker replacements, fiber optic cabling, motor operated disconnects
Review, check, and design electrical drawings for new substations (69kV-500kV) and recommend changes and additions to existing substations and other electrical facilities.
Review, check, and design electrical drawings for new substations below 69kV and recommend changes and additions to existing substations and other electrical facilities.
Provide professional engineering expertise in the design of high voltage outdoor designs.
Leads the development and interpretation of engineering policies, design standards, technical requirements, application policies, and installation procedures for systems and equipment used in substation designs.
Conduct Station Service system analyses and conduct short circuit or Arc Flash studies.
Provide input and recommendations for engineering requirements and technical design parameters in the development of substation equipment and facilities, while verifying they meet all functional, operational, maintenance, reliability, and safety requirements.
Coordinate with BPA internal and external technicians to facilitate the completion and issuance of designs on schedule.
Coordinate and facilitate planning and organization of substation design projects including troubleshooting design problems, resolving problems, and recommending appropriate design methods.
Perform print verification and project planning in BPA energized substations, including the examination of open cabinets in substations, while ensuring that the minimum approach distance for the appropriate voltage is always adhered to.
Obtain substation access permissions to visit existing BPA substations and proposed substation sites while unescorted (voltages in substations can range from 120 volts to 500,000 volts) to verify design prints, meet with electricians or for on-site coordination and other construction meetings.
Provide background information, technical input, and recommendations that facilitate project decision-making. This may include, at management request, arranging, attending, and facilitating decision-making sessions/meetings with BPA management, executives, and key stakeholders, including drafting agendas, answering technical questions, and presenting information, options, and recommendations for decision-maker consideration.
Arrange, coordinate, and attend site visit(s) for the projects as assigned by the TEEL Supervisor.
Create / draft routine project documents, presentations, and communication, including meeting agendas, meeting notes, status reports, corrective action / issue / risk obstacles and mitigation recommendations, procedurally required project documentation, specifications and requirements, etc.; timely distribution of project communications and meeting notes; and project status reports and presentations as requested.
Provide recommendations to the assigned PM, PE, and project team regarding project expectations, approach, schedule, scope, work plans, step plans, deliverables, and goals, etc.
Facilitate, assist, and shepherd the project design team members through completion of the project design, collaborate with other design groups for non-electrical design elements; work with BPA's Drawing Distribution to ensure all drawings, designs, and documentation are distributed for Construction.
Complete and facilitate technical design efforts for high voltage (69kV-500kV) substation projects including new greenfield substations, bay additions, bay modifications, transmission line re-terminations, bus replacements and re-routes, and high voltage equipment replacements.
Create, revise, enhance and review engineering standards to support substation design and engineering.
Facilitate planning, engineering, and design efforts for installation of substation equipment and other electrical systems in BPA substations.
Serve as engineering technical liaison during construction phase to help resolve any differences between construction and design teams; provides engineering technical review abilities during construction, in conjunction with the construction manager.
Make recommendations on the application of the National Electrical Code, the National Electrical Safety Code, and North American Electric Reliability Corporation critical infrastructure protection (NERC CIP) to substation work and other related projects.
Perform print verification and project planning in BPA energized substations, including the examination of open cabinets in substations, while verifying that the minimum approach distance for the appropriate voltage is always adhered to.
Qualifications
A bachelor's degree in electrical engineering from an ABET accredited institution or other closely related engineering field is required.
5 years of experience is required with an applicable bachelor's degree.
Experience should include engineering design development closely related to related experience and knowledge of electrical engineering concepts, principles, and practices applicable to components and facilities found on a regional transmission system.
Required Technical Skills & Experience:
3 years working knowledge of high voltage outdoor substation systems and functional and technical specifications in a typical electric power system.
Experience on electrical substation projects for new substations, capacity additions, line/position extensions, reliability/automation improvements, equipment relocations/replacements, maintenance, and as-built documentation.
Experience gathering and entering data into a variety of systems
Job Type & Location
This is a Contract position based out of Vancouver, WA.
Pay and Benefits
The pay range for this position is $47.00 - $53.00/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following: - Medical, dental & vision - Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital - 401(k) Retirement Plan - Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available - Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents) - Short and long-term disability - Health Spending Account (HSA) - Transportation benefits - Employee Assistance Program - Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
Workplace Type
This is a hybrid position in Vancouver,WA.
Application Deadline
This position is anticipated to close on Jul 2, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: 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.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
