Substation Designer

Job Title: Substation DesignerJob Description

The Substation Designer will support power delivery projects focused on the design and engineering of electrical substations. In this role, you contribute directly to how electricity is generated, transmitted, and delivered as global energy demands grow. You will collaborate closely with industry-recognized engineers and scientists who are leading grid transformation efforts, working on initiatives that range from modernizing transmission systems to supporting large-scale infrastructure and data center projects. This position offers the opportunity to help build reliable, resilient, and sustainable power systems that enable communities to thrive and industries to expand.

Responsibilities

• Develop and refine electrical substation designs in alignment with project requirements, industry standards, and safety regulations.
• Collaborate with power delivery and electrical engineering teams to ensure substation designs integrate seamlessly with broader transmission and distribution systems.
• Apply prior substation engineering and power delivery experience to support the planning, layout, and configuration of substation equipment and systems.
• Participate in design reviews with engineers and project stakeholders, incorporating feedback to improve design quality and reliability.
• Support documentation efforts by preparing and updating design drawings, specifications, and related technical materials for substation projects.
• Contribute to grid modernization initiatives by designing substations that enhance system resilience, reliability, and sustainability.
• Coordinate work effectively in a hybrid environment, attending in-office meetings and collaborating with colleagues in Phoenix, Tucson, or Albuquerque as required.
• Engage in continuous learning and knowledge sharing with experienced engineers and scientists to stay current on best practices and emerging technologies in power systems.
• Help ensure that substation projects are delivered on schedule and within scope by communicating clearly with project teams and proactively addressing design challenges.
• Demonstrate a commitment to quality, safety, and inclusion in all aspects of design work and team collaboration.

Essential Skills

• Hands-on experience in substation design with a strong understanding of electrical substation components, configurations, and design principles.
• Background in substation engineering, including familiarity with power delivery systems and transmission infrastructure.
• Experience working on power-related projects, with previous T&D or power delivery experience strongly preferred.
• Solid foundation in electrical engineering concepts relevant to power systems and substation design.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with engineers and technical teams to develop and refine substation designs.
• Capability to work in a hybrid arrangement and reliably commute to an office in Phoenix, Tucson, or Albuquerque two to three times per week.
• Strong attention to detail in preparing and reviewing technical drawings and documentation.
• Effective communication skills for coordinating with multidisciplinary project teams.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• Experience contributing to grid transformation, modernization, or infrastructure expansion projects.
• Interest in sustainable power systems and designing for reliability, resilience, and long-term performance.
• Ability to adapt to changing project needs and priorities in a fast-paced power sector environment.
• Commitment to working in an inclusive, collaborative culture where diverse perspectives are valued.
• Motivation to learn from and work alongside industry-recognized engineers and scientists in the power sector.

Work Environment

This role operates in a hybrid work environment that combines in-office collaboration with remote flexibility. You will work from an office in Phoenix, Tucson, or Albuquerque two to three days per week, with the remaining days spent working remotely from home. The office setting is professional and focused on power sector projects, providing access to engineering tools, design software, and collaboration spaces. The culture emphasizes inclusion, respect, and empowerment, encouraging team members to bring their authentic selves and innovative ideas to work. You will be part of a team that is deeply engaged in shaping the future of electricity and grid infrastructure, with opportunities to contribute meaningfully to large-scale, impactful projects.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract to Hire position based out of Phoenix, AZ.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $30.00 - $50.00/hr.

Individual compensation offered for this position within this range will depend on many factors, including qualifications, skills, relevant experience, job knowledge, geographic location, internal equity, and other pertinent job-related factors.

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 Phoenix,AZ.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Sep 9, 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.