Substation Physical Engineer

Ready to turn your ambition into achievement? Join Pond & Company and be part of the team that’s redefining the future of Architectural, Engineering, Planning, Construction Management, and Environmental projects!

• Resume/CV must be submitted in English*

About The Position

We are currently seeking a Substation Physical Engineer to support the execution and development of electric utility infrastructure projects across the United States while being based in our Bogotá, Colombia office. This role will focus on the physical design and layout of high-voltage substations, supporting projects from distribution through transmission levels.

The ideal candidate will have an Electrical or Mechanical Engineering background with strong experience in substation physical design and constructability. This individual will be responsible for developing equipment layouts, grounding systems, conduit systems, lightning protection designs, and overall substation arrangements while coordinating closely with civil and structural engineering teams. Success in this position requires a strong understanding of U.S. utility standards, multidisciplinary coordination, and the ability to develop high-quality construction-ready design packages for complex substation projects.

Responsibilities

• Develop substation physical design drawings, including general arrangements, elevations, conduit plans and details, grounding plans and details, lightning protection plans, and control building layouts
• Develop and coordinate substation equipment layouts, raceway systems, and associated site infrastructure to meet project requirements and constructability considerations
• Perform substation engineering calculations and analyses, including grounding studies, grounding system design, lightning protection calculations, conduit fill calculations, and voltage drop calculations
• Support development of substation physical layouts that meet project requirements, electrical clearances, safety standards, and applicable industry codes
• Develop technical equipment specifications, construction specifications, and engineering work scopes
• Coordinate with multidisciplinary teams, including electrical, civil, structural, and protection & control engineers, to ensure design integration and consistency
• Review design deliverables for accuracy, constructability, and compliance with client and industry standards
• Support constructability reviews, field engineering support, and resolution of technical issues during construction
• Coordinate foundation and structural plan development with civil and structural engineering teams
• Ensure all design work aligns with U.S. utility standards, including applicable IEEE, NESC, and client-specific requirements
• Contribute to project execution efforts by maintaining schedule, quality, and coordination across disciplines
• Utilize CAD and 3D modeling tools to produce and modify detailed substation design drawings and layouts

Education And Experience

• 5+ years of experience in substation engineering with a primary focus on physical design
• Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a related engineering discipline preferred
• Experience developing substation physical design deliverables, including general arrangements, elevations, grounding plans and details, conduit plans and details, lightning protection plans, and equipment layouts
• Strong understanding of substation equipment arrangement, electrical clearances, constructability considerations, and physical layout requirements for high-voltage substations
• Experience performing grounding studies, grounding calculations, lightning protection calculations, conduit fill calculations, and related physical design analyses
• Experience developing foundation and steel plans and coordinating with civil and structural engineering teams responsible for detailed structural design
• Familiarity with substation design parameters, clearances, and physical layout requirements for transmission and distribution substations
• Experience with 3D substation design and modeling tools preferred
• Proficiency with MicroStation and AutoCAD
• Strong understanding of NESC, IEEE, and other applicable utility industry codes and standards
• Experience supporting U.S.-based utility, EPC, or consulting engineering projects preferred
• English proficiency at B2 level or higher (required to support U.S.-based teams and clients)
• Strong communication and collaboration skills in a multidisciplinary engineering environment
• Ability to manage multiple priorities in a fast-paced, project-driven environment
• Demonstrated commitment to technical quality and continuous professional development

Preferred Qualifications

• Experience with substation projects up to and including 500kV
• Experience with AutoCAD Electrical or advanced AutoCAD workflows for substation design
• Strong background in grounding system design and analysis for high-voltage substations
• Experience working in EPC or engineering consulting environments supporting U.S. utilities
• Knowledge of advanced substation physical design practices and industry best practices

All Pond & Company positions require participation in at least one in-person interview as part of our hiring process, and most roles also require in-person onboarding at a Pond office location; candidates should expect to meet directly with our team and should be cautious of any communication suggesting otherwise.

About Pond

Pond is an award-winning, full-service architecture, engineering, planning, construction management, and environmental services firm providing professional solutions to clients throughout the U.S. and globally for nearly 60 years. Pond’s staff of 800+ professionals provide a deep bench strength of experience and capabilities to offer customized solutions that help clients manage projects from concept to completion – and everything in between – with confidence and clarity. Pond is currently ranked as the 80th largest engineering and design firm by ENR, Atlanta’s #1 engineering firm by Atlanta Business Chronicle, and has been recognized as an Employer of the Year by Georgia ACEC and a Best Place to Work for Working Parents.

Additional Information

Many factors are considered when determining compensation at Pond, including scope and level of position, geographic location, candidate skill, knowledge and experience. Starting base pay may vary depending on these factors. Please see the hiring range associated with this posting for more information.

Additional cash incentives may be provided as part of the compensation package, in addition to a range of medical, financial and/or other benefits dependent on position offered. Learn more about Pond’s comprehensive benefits offerings here.

All offers of employment made by Pond & Company are contingent upon satisfactory background check results. Pre-employment background checks will be conducted on all candidates that are offered a position at Pond in compliance with program policy as well as state and federal regulations. Additionally, offers may be contingent upon the successful completion of a pre-employment drug and alcohol test.

Equal Opportunity Employer

We are an equal opportunity and affirmative action employer that recognizes the value of diversity and inclusion in the workplace. Employment decisions at Pond are based on business needs, job requirements and individual qualifications. All suitably qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment. We prohibit discrimination and harassment of any kind based on race, color, sex, age, religion, sexual orientation, national origin, disability, genetic information, pregnancy, or any other protected characteristic as outlined by federal, state and local laws in jurisdictions where we operate. If you need assistance or an accommodation due to a disability, you may contact us at [email protected].

Apply for this position at https://www.pondco.com/careers.We are always looking for driven professionals of all disciplines to join our fast-growing company. For more information on our services, clientele, or employment opportunities, visit our website at www.pondco.com.

Should you run into any issues in completing the application, please reach out to [email protected] for assistance.