Design Engineer I, Substations

Short Description

Bowman has an opportunity for a Design Engineer I, Substations to join our team in North Carolina.

At Bowman, we believe in creating opportunities for aspiring people to thrive and achieve ambitious goals. That's why a career at Bowman is more than a job. It is an opportunity to be part of a diverse and engaged community of professionals, to be treated as a respected and valued member of a motivated team and to be empowered to do exceptional work that advances the best interest of everyone involved. We recognize the importance of creating a work environment that is both rewarding to our employees and supportive of our unwavering commitment to provide unparalleled service to our clients.

Purpose

Performs and supports the design, engineering, and technical evaluation of substations and substation-related systems under the guidance of senior engineers. This role applies foundational engineering principles to routine and moderately complex tasks, ensures compliance with applicable standards, and contributes to the safe, reliable, and cost-effective delivery of substation infrastructure.

Responsibilities

Leadership and Direction

• Support substation engineering projects under the direction of senior engineers and project leads.
• Collaborate with internal teams and external partners to support the coordination and integration of substation designs.
• Participate in technical reviews and knowledge-sharing activities to build professional and technical skills.

At the Operational and Company Level

• Perform detailed engineering design tasks for substations, including new builds, expansions, and upgrades, with guidance as needed.
• Interpret and apply applicable industry standards (e.g., IEEE, ANSI, NESC) and company specifications under supervision.
• Assist with project planning activities, including preparation of scopes of work, engineering estimates, and schedules.
• Participate in design reviews, hazard analyses, and constructability reviews as a contributing team member.
• Coordinate assigned engineering deliverables with procurement, construction, and commissioning teams.
• Support compliance with safety, environmental, and regulatory requirements in all designs.

Do the Work

• Prepare substation physical and/or electrical design deliverables, which may include:

• One-line and three-line diagrams

• AC/DC schematics

• General arrangement and detail drawings

• Protection and control drawings

• Equipment specifications and bills of material

• Grounding, conduit, bus, and equipment foundation designs

• Perform engineering calculations (e.g., AC/DC loading, grounding, conductor clearances) with review by senior engineers.

• Review vendor drawings and technical data for conformance with project requirements.

• Support field activities during construction, testing, and commissioning by assisting with issue resolution as directed.

• Maintain accurate project documentation and engineering records.

Success Metrics and Competencies

• Ability to work both independently and within a team environment.
• Highly motivated and problem-solving attitude.
• Strong sense of urgency in responding to constituents.
• Effective verbal and written communication skills.
• Strong work ethic and commitment to quality.
• Self-reliance and ability to operate independently with limited direction.
• Effective working relationship with internal leaders and peers, as well as external clients.
• Ability to effectively manage multiple time-sensitive tasks.
• Data analysis and interpretation skills.
• Engineering deliverables are accurate, complete, and issued on schedule.
• Designs meet quality, safety, and regulatory standards with minimal rework.
• Effective collaboration with project stakeholders results in successful project execution.
• Demonstrates growing independence in managing engineering tasks and priorities.
• Substation engineering knowledge (physical and/or electrical).
• Analytical thinking and problem solving.
• Technical judgment and attention to detail.
• Communication and teamwork.
• Time management and prioritization.
• Commitment to safety and quality.

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering or related engineering discipline.
• Entry level position. Any experience in substation engineering, power delivery, or related utility engineering work a plus.
• Engineer‑in‑Training (EIT) preferred; progression toward Professional Engineer (PE) licensure encouraged.
• Working knowledge of substation equipment (breakers, transformers, relays, structures, grounding).
• Familiarity with power system analysis tools and drafting/design software (e.g., AutoCAD, MicroStation, or similar).
• Proficiency in standard office software (Microsoft Office).

About Bowman

Are you ready to build a career that makes a lasting impact? At Bowman, our people are at the center of everything we do. We're committed to creating an environment where employees can thrive both personally and professionally, while helping to shape the infrastructure of tomorrow.

A career at Bowman means being part of a collaborative, forward-thinking organization where innovation, inclusion, and growth are encouraged at every level. We offer competitive compensation, a supportive work environment, and benefits designed to help our employees succeed.

Our comprehensive benefits package includes:

• Medical, dental, vision, life, and disability insurance
• 401(k) retirement savings plan with company match
• Paid time off, sick leave, and paid holidays
• Tuition reimbursement and professional development support
• Discretionary bonuses and other performance-based incentives
• Employee Assistance Program (EAP), wellness initiatives, and employee discounts

Eligibility for certain benefits may vary based on position, location, and employment status.

Physical Demands and Working Environment

• Primarily indoor professional office environment which may include bright/dim light, noise, fumes, odors, and traffic.
• Mobility around an office environment.
• Frequent and prolonged use of standard office equipment such as computers, phones, photocopiers, filing cabinets and fax machines.
• Partially outdoor work environment which may include adverse weather conditions, varying temperatures, excessive noise, and/or potential hazards.
• Mobility around a job/construction site to include walking, bending, crawling, climbing, squatting, or kneeling and wearing of required Personal Protective Equipment (PPE).
• Primarily local travel during the business day, although some out-of-the-area and overnight travel may be required according to the needs of the business.
• Occasional lifting or carrying up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional pushing or pulling up to 20 pounds.
• Occasional reaching outward or above shoulder.

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Job Description Disclaimer

Note: While this job description is intended to be an accurate reflection of the job requirements, it is not designed to cover or contain a comprehensive listing of activities, duties or responsibilities that are required of the employee for this job. Management reserves the right to modify, add, or remove duties from particular jobs and to assign other duties as necessary at any time with or without notice.

Bowman is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace where all employees feel valued and respected. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability or protected veteran status. For our EEO Policy Statement, please click here. If you'd like more information on your EEO rights under the law, please click here.

Bowman has an obligation to provide and maintain a safe, healthy, and productive environment for its employees and clients. We are committed to maintaining a drug and alcohol-free workplace.

If you have any questions about the application process, please email recruiting@bowman.com.