Senior Underground Transmission Line Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Pasadena, CA, 91101
Job Type : Full Time
Date Posted : 12 January 2026
Description
This position will offer you the ability to apply and expand your knowledge of underground transmission line engineering, including routing, duct bank configurations, manhole placement and electrical principles to:
- Design underground transmission lines for voltages up to 500kV.
- Responsible for cost analyses, development of design criteria, siting and routing challenges, and placement of manholes for underground transmission lines.
- Responsible for physical design including duct bank layouts, development of trenchless designs, cable pulling calculations, development of drawing packages.
- Responsible for cable selection studies, determining bonding scheme, performing ampacity calculations.
- Develop riser structure configuration and structural loading.
- Develop specifications including cable procurement, duct bank installation, trenchless installation and general construction specifications.
- Work and coordinate with vendors and clients to specify transmission line components.
- Direct a small project team of other engineers, designers and drafters.
This role offers a hybrid work arrangement. You'll spend three days a week in the office, giving you the flexibility to work remotely for two days. Dependent upon your location, this opportunity offers a generous relocation package.
Qualifications
We do not sponsor employees for work authorization in the U.S. for this position.
Essential skills and experience:
- This position requires a BS degree from an ABET-accredited engineering program.
- Proficiency with CYMCAP modeling
- Proficiency with cable tensioning calculations and/or software
- 7 or more years of experience as a member of a project team in observing project schedules and budget constraints on diverse underground transmission projects
- Design experience incorporating code requirements, EPRI recommendations, client requirements
- Experience in cost estimate development and schedule creation and coordination
- Experience with XLPE cable design
- Experience in the preparation of specifications for installation and procurement of underground transmission line materials and components
- Knowledge to verify/review right of way requirements, bonding schemes, underground transmission line plan and profile drawings and other construction documents
- Knowledge of design techniques, tools, and principles involved in the production of technical plans, drawings, and models
- Experience in writing and providing support documentation for engineering calculations
- Familiarity with design codes and standards such as NESC, EPRI Green Book, IEC, CSA, IEEE, ANSI, IBC, ASCE 7, AISC, and ACI 318
- Proficiency with MS Office applications
- Excellent written, verbal and interpersonal communication skills
- Attention to detail
Valued but not required skills and experience:
- Have a current PE license or the ability to acquire one within one year
- Experience with High Pressure Gas Filled or High-Pressured Fluid Filled pipe type cable systems and associated equipment
- Experience with underground distribution or low voltage cable systems
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
$95,840.00 - $147,870.00Transparency 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.
Related Jobs
Top trending job titles hiring now
Popular Searches for Transmission Line Engineer
Frequently asked questions
This position emphasizes specialized expertise in designing and managing underground high-voltage transmission lines up to 500kV, focusing on routing, duct bank layouts, and cable systems, unlike general electrical engineering roles which may cover broader power distribution or lower voltage systems.
Mastery of cymcap modeling, cable tensioning calculations, and familiarity with design codes like NESC and EPRI standards are essential, along with experience in cost estimation, trenchless installation design, and cable procurement to navigate complex underground transmission projects effectively.
Advancement may lead to senior technical specialist roles, project management positions overseeing larger teams, or leadership roles in grid infrastructure planning, leveraging deep technical know-how combined with project coordination and vendor/client engagement skills.
Sargent & Lundy offers a hybrid work model blending in-office and remote days, alongside award-winning benefits and a culture recognized for compensation excellence, setting it apart through its focus on employee well-being and comprehensive healthcare coverage.
Candidates should be ready to lead small project teams, coordinate closely with vendors and clients, and develop technical specifications while adhering to stringent design codes, reflecting Sargent & Lundy’s emphasis on detailed engineering and collaborative project delivery.
Salaries for this position generally range between $95,840 and $147,870 annually, reflecting Pasadena's competitive market for experienced underground utility engineers and the specialized skill set required for high-voltage transmission line design.
Pasadena's growing infrastructure development and proximity to major utilities increase demand for skilled underground transmission engineers, though competition remains moderate due to the specialized nature and experience level required for roles like this.
While a PE license is highly valued and sometimes required within a year, familiarity with California-specific codes and standards, plus experience with XLPE cable systems, enhance employability in the region's regulated utility sector.
Engineers must navigate complex underground utilities, limited right-of-way spaces, and stringent municipal regulations, requiring innovative trenchless design techniques and precise manhole placement to minimize disruptions in dense urban environments.
This role involves overseeing project schedules and budgets, directing a small team of engineers and drafters, and ensuring technical accuracy in design and documentation, blending hands-on engineering with leadership and client coordination.