Substation Structural Engineering Leader

Joining Arup  

Arup's purpose, shared values, and collaborative approach has set us apart for over 80 years, guiding how we shape a better world.

We are seeking a Substation Structural Engineering Leader with significant technical experience in the structural design of high-voltage substations for electric utilities and the interconnection of renewable energy and data center projects. In this role, you will lead structural delivery, serve as the technical interface with clients and multidisciplinary teams, and help ensure that designs meet performance, safety, regulatory, constructability, and commercial requirements. The successful candidate should be capable of serving as Engineer of Record (EoR) for substation projects and will provide dedicated technical leadership as we establish and grow a substation structures capability to support our HV/EHV team and projects. Experience in structural design for transmission lines is highly desirable and would enable the candidate to contribute across both the substation and transmission sectors.

This position can be worked out of our Houston, Dallas, Austin, Seattle, San Francisco, Los Angeles, or San Diego offices.

The Opportunity

• Lead the structural design and technical delivery of 69-500 kV substation projects from concept through detailed design, construction support, and completion.
• Serve as Engineer of Record, where appropriately licensed, including the review, approval, and sealing of substation structural engineering calculations and drawings.
• Lead and oversee rigid bus analysis and the design of structural steel systems, equipment-support structures, equipment foundations, structure foundations, and oil-containment systems.
• Translate conductor loads, equipment and vendor data, electrical-clearance requirements, geotechnical recommendations, and construction constraints into coordinated structural solutions.
• Establish and grow a dedicated substation structures capability within the HV/EHV team, providing technical leadership, mentoring, checking, and technical assurance.
• Work effectively with incomplete or evolving vendor information by establishing defensible assumptions, identifying governing conditions, evaluating alternatives, and managing technical risk.
• Coordinate closely with electrical, civil, geotechnical, transmission, and construction teams and take ownership of integrated technical delivery.
• Provide construction-phase support, respond to field conditions, and contribute to constructability, worker safety, and public safety reviews.
• Perform and oversee QA/QC for substation structural deliverables across multiple offices, with a strong commitment to code compliance and accurate documentation.
• Support pursuits, proposals, client engagement, and execution-phase design and consulting services.
• Contribute to transmission line structural work when experience and project needs align.

Is this role right for you?

• Bachelor's or master's degree in civil or structural engineering, or a closely related discipline.
• Licensed Professional Engineer (PE) with the ability and willingness to obtain additional state licensure. Structural Engineer (SE) licensure is preferred.
• At least 10 years of relevant structural engineering experience, including substantial experience designing utility-scale substation steel structures and foundations.
• Demonstrated capability to serve as Engineer of Record for substation structural projects, including technical oversight, checking, approval, and sealing of engineering deliverables where licensed.
• Strong knowledge of structural steel, equipment-support structures, reinforced concrete foundations, and substation-specific loading, electrical-clearance, and constructability requirements.
• Working knowledge of ASCE 7, ASCE Manual of Practice No. 113, AISC 360, ACI 318, the NESC, IEEE 605, IEEE 693, applicable building codes, and utility-specific design criteria.
• Experience with substation structural design for projects in the 69-500 kV range and coordination with multidisciplinary design teams.
• Proficiency in relevant structural and foundation analysis and design software, and in the development and checking of clear, traceable engineering calculations.
• Ability to develop coordinated structural solutions from conductor, equipment, electrical, geotechnical, vendor, and construction requirements.
• Ability to work with incomplete or evolving information, establish and document defensible assumptions, identify governing conditions, evaluate alternatives, and manage technical risk.
• Strong commitment to technical assurance, independent checking, state and federal code compliance, constructability, worker and public safety, and accurate documentation.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively, communicate effectively with clients, utilities, authorities, vendors, contractors, and internal stakeholders, and take ownership of technical delivery.
• Experience in transmission line structural engineering is preferred and would support flexible delivery across both substation and transmission projects.
• Willingness to travel occasionally for site visits and client, utility, contractor, or vendor meetings.
• Ability to prioritize work, manage deadlines, and perform effectively in a rapidly changing project environment.
   

Please note that all applicants must apply directly via the job portal. If this role is not quite what you are looking for, but you are interested in other opportunities for a future with purpose, please sign up to our Talent Community where you will be kept up to date with roles suitable for you to shape a better world.

What we offer you

At Arup, we care about each member’s success, so we can grow together.

Guided by our values, we provide an attractive total reward package that recognizes the contribution of each of our members to our shared success. As well as competitive, fair and equitable pay, we offer a career in which all of our members can belong, grow and thrive – through benefits that support health and wellbeing, a wide range of learning opportunities and many possibilities to have an impact through the work they do.  

We are owned in trust on behalf of our members, giving us the freedom, with personal responsibility, to set our own direction and choose work that aligns with our purpose and adds to Arup’s legacy. Our members collaborate on ambitious projects to deliver remarkable outcomes for our clients and communities. Profit Share is a key part of our reward, enabling members to share in the results of our collective efforts.  

Benefits at Work - At Arup, we have a comprehensive and valuable benefits program that works for our employees and their families while keeping costs low. These benefits provide health and welfare security for you as well as paid time off for rest and renewal. As a member of Arup, everyone shares in our success through a global profit share scheme (payments are dependent on the firm’s financial performance). Our Global Profit Share Plan (paid bi-annually) provides an opportunity for you to share in the success of the Firm. As a valued employee of Arup, you can also choose to participate in our 401(k) plan with up to 10% company match to help you save for your future

Flexible Working - We believe that flexible arrangements create a more inclusive way of working that supports our diversity and the wellbeing of our people. Options for alternative schedules and the ability to work outside of the office for a portion of your workweek are available

Houston Hiring Range - The good faith base salary hiring range for this job if performed in Houston is $165,600 - $174,500. This range is commensurate with experience, educational background, and skill level. Benefits are not included in the base salary. Please note hiring ranges for candidates performing work outside of Houston will differ.  

Different People, Shared Values

Arup is an equal opportunity employer that actively promotes and nurtures a diverse and inclusive workforce. We welcome applications from individuals of all backgrounds, regardless of age (within legal limits), gender identity or expression, marital status, disability, neurotype or mental health, race or ethnicity, faith or belief, sexual orientation, socioeconomic background, and whether you’re pregnant or on family leave. We are an open environment that embraces diverse experiences, perspectives, and ideas – this drives our excellence.  

Guided by our values and alignment with the UN Sustainable Development Goals, we create and contribute to equitable spaces and systems, while cultivating a sense of belonging for all. Our internal employee networks support our inclusive culture: from race, ethnicity and cross-cultural working to gender equity and LGBTQ+ and disability inclusion – we aim to create a space for you to express yourself and make a positive difference. Discover more about life at Arup at www.arup.com/careers/your-life-at-arup.  

Our Application Process

We will be reviewing our candidates for this position on a rolling basis. Once you have applied you will be evaluated and potentially moved on to the next round, at which point a member of the talent resourcing team will reach out to you directly.

Arup is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration without regard to race, colour, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, protected veteran status, spouse of a protected veteran, or disability.

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