Senior Underground Transmission Line Engineer 2 - Grid
Company : Sargent &lundy
Location : Portland, OR, 97201
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.
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Frequently asked questions
Portland's growing infrastructure needs have increased demand for skilled underground transmission engineers. Candidates with expertise in duct bank design, cable tensioning, and regional code compliance often find strong competition but excellent opportunities due to ongoing utility modernization efforts.
In Oregon, possessing a Professional Engineer (PE) license significantly boosts employability for underground transmission line engineering positions. Familiarity with NESC and EPRI standards, plus local right-of-way regulations, also enhances a candidate’s attractiveness in the Portland market.
This role centers on designing and optimizing underground transmission lines up to 500kV, including duct bank layouts and cable selection studies. Engineers must integrate complex electrical principles with practical routing and manhole placement, ensuring safety codes and client specs are met.
Experienced engineers often advance by managing larger project teams, leading design innovation, or specializing in niche areas like trenchless installation. Mastery of software like Cymcap and cable tensioning calculators opens pathways to senior technical or managerial roles within utility engineering firms.
Key skills include proficiency in cable ampacity calculations, duct bank and trenchless design, and the ability to interpret and apply standards like IEEE and IEC. Strong communication and project coordination capabilities are equally vital for collaborating with clients and vendors effectively.
Balancing hybrid work schedules while overseeing multi-disciplinary teams and coordinating with external vendors poses a dynamic challenge. Engineers must also navigate complex routing constraints and cost estimations tailored to the Pacific Northwest’s regulatory environment.
Sargent & Lundy emphasizes a culture of excellence, supporting engineers through award-winning benefits, flexible hybrid work policies, and professional development incentives. This fosters a work environment where technical innovation and employee well-being are equally prioritized.
The compensation for this role spans approximately $95,840 to $147,870 annually. This range reflects the candidate’s experience, technical expertise with underground transmission systems, and alignment with local market standards in the Portland utility sector.
Sargent & Lundy distinguishes itself by offering hybrid work flexibility, comprehensive benefits, and a focus on complex underground transmission design projects up to 500kV. Their commitment to technical rigor and employee support often surpasses industry norms.
Portland's collaborative work culture encourages multi-disciplinary teamwork and environmental mindfulness. Underground transmission projects here often require engineers to balance technical demands with sustainability and community engagement, reflecting the region’s values.