Lead EHV Electrical Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Santa Ana, CA, 92705
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 14 January 2026
Description
This position allows for a hybrid work schedule with a mix of work spent in office and working remote from home.
Our Grid business unit is seeking an experienced Lead EHV Substation Engineer.
Responsibilities:
- This position offers you the opportunity to work in a project team environment with other engineers and designers involved in the detailed electrical design and project management of distribution and transmission substation projects.
- As a Lead EHV Substation Engineer, you will take an active role in project conceptualization, work planning, and project execution for EHV substation projects up to 765kV
- Serve as a subject matter specialist in EHV substation physical design (500kV and above).
- You will work on challenging assignments that include investigating, trouble-shooting, and solving a wide variety of electrical engineering and design issues.
- As a Lead Substation Engineer, you will prepare or review reports and support project deliverables that present technical and project information in a clear and concise manner and meet client requirements and S&L formats. Typical deliverables include: Facility Studies, General Arrangement, Equipment Plans and Sections, Foundation Plans, Grounding and Conduit Plans, Equipment Connection Details, Control Building Plans and Sections, and AC/DC system designs.
- Develop your career via peer-learning through sharing of knowledge with other experienced engineers by way of S&L’s systems of process and associated “Communities of Practice.”
- In addition, you may have the opportunity to travel to client sites as needed.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a BSEE with a power systems or controls emphasis from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
- 10 or more years experience with a focus on protection / control / telecommunications for high voltage substations; including design, installation, and coordination.
- 3 or more years of experience with 500kV and/or 765kV substation design.
- Knowledge of physical design techniques, tools, and principles involved in production of technical plans, blueprints, drawings, and 3D models.
- Knowledge of the practical application of engineering science and technology, including the ability to relate various equipment to a technical design.
- Ability to prioritize work and manage multiple projects under budget and time constraints.
- Excellent interpersonal and written communication skills.
- Experience in reviewing design drawings created by others.
- Proficiency with MS Office applications.
Valued but not required skills and experience:
- Proficient with AutoCAD and/or MicroStation.
- Familiar with Bentley Substation, BlueBeam, AutoCAD E or SDS design software.
- Ability to prepare substation grounding calculations, direct stroke shielding calculations, battery & charger sizing calculations, etc.
- Protection & controls experience.
- Familiarity with ANSI/IEEE/NEMA standards as they relate to physical substation design. This includes the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI - C2).
- FE or PE license.
Award-Winning Benefits
At Sargent & Lundy, we care about the health and well-being of our employees. Our commitment extends beyond the workplace, offering comprehensive healthcare plans and generous paid time off to support our team members in every aspect of their lives. We understand the importance of work-life balance, which is why we are proud to provide competitive, award-winning benefits. Our dedication to employee satisfaction has earned us the prestigious Top Workplaces Culture Excellence Award for compensation and benefits in 2022, 2023, and 2024.
Health & WellnessFinancial BenefitsWork-Life Balance- Health Plans: Medical, Dental, Vision
- Life & Accident Insurance
- Disability Coverage
- Employee Assistance Program (EAP)
- Back-Up Daycare
- FSA & HSA
- 401(k)
- Pre-Tax Commuter Account
- Merit Scholarship Program
- Employee Discount Program
- Corporate Charitable Giving Program
- Tuition Assistance
- First Professional Licensure Bonus
- Employee Referral Bonus
- Paid Annual Personal/Sick Time (PST)
- Paid Vacation
- Paid Holidays
- Paid Parental Leave
- Paid Bereavement Leave
- Flexible Work Arrangements
Compensation Range
$131,960.00 - $205,330.00Transparency Statement
Sargent & Lundy discloses compensation ranges that comply with all local and state regulations. The total compensation package for eligible positions will include a base salary or an hourly rate and a comprehensive benefits package, reflecting our commitment to rewarding performance and supporting the overall well-being of our employees. Individuals may also be eligible to participate in our yearly discretionary bonus.Awards & Recognition
Equal Opportunity
Sargent & Lundy is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, or any protected status as defined by applicable law.
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Frequently asked questions
This position demands advanced expertise in high voltage substations (500kV and above), requiring deep knowledge of protection, control, and telecommunications systems. Unlike general electrical roles, the Lead EHV Engineer handles intricate project conceptualization and detailed substation physical design, making it a highly specialized and senior-level engineering role.
Mastery of substation design tools like AutoCAD, MicroStation, and Bentley Substation is crucial, alongside strong abilities in preparing grounding and battery sizing calculations. Additionally, a solid grasp of ANSI/IEEE/NEMA standards and experience with 500kV and 765kV substations elevate performance in this role.
Progression often leads to senior project management roles or specialized consultancy positions focusing on grid modernization. Building expertise in emerging renewable integration and smart grid technologies can also unlock leadership opportunities in utility companies or engineering firms.
Employees enjoy a hybrid work model blending office and remote tasks, alongside award-winning benefits like comprehensive healthcare, paid parental leave, and merit-based bonuses. Sargent & Lundy’s dedication to work-life balance and employee wellbeing is reflected in their multiple Top Workplaces awards.
The firm fosters a collaborative environment emphasizing peer learning and knowledge sharing through communities of practice. Engineers benefit from exposure to challenging assignments and client site visits, supported by a culture that values innovation, technical excellence, and employee growth.
Sargent & Lundy offers salaries between $131,960 and $205,330, aligning with the premium pay scale for high-voltage engineering roles in Southern California. This range reflects the specialized skills required and the competitive market for experienced electrical engineers in the Santa Ana area.
Having a Professional Engineer (PE) license or Fundamentals of Engineering (FE) certification significantly boosts employability, especially in California where regulatory standards favor licensed professionals. Familiarity with the National Electrical Safety Code (ANSI C2) is also highly regarded locally.
Santa Ana's proximity to major utilities and renewable energy projects elevates demand for experienced EHV engineers, but competition remains stiff due to a limited talent pool with advanced substation expertise. Candidates with 10+ years and specialized skills in 500kV+ substations have a distinct advantage.
Daily responsibilities include troubleshooting complex electrical design issues, coordinating multidisciplinary teams, and ensuring compliance with stringent safety and technical standards. Balancing project timelines and budgets while adapting plans for site-specific constraints also presents ongoing challenges.
Sargent & Lundy’s strong focus on peer collaboration and continuous learning through established processes enhances professional development. Their hybrid work flexibility combined with comprehensive benefits and prestigious workplace culture awards distinguishes their employment experience in the power grid sector.