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Substation Electrical Engineer

Downers Grove, ILOnsiteFull Time$110,000–$140,000 /yrPosted 2 months ago

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Required skills

  • Substation Electrical Engineer
  • design-build
  • electrical systems
  • substation system designs
  • power solutions
  • project teams
  • technical expertise
  • engineering deliverables
  • single-line diagrams
  • three-line diagrams

Nice to have

  • utility-scale experience
  • EPC support

Role summary

ARCO is seeking a Substation Electrical Engineer in Downers Grove, Illinois, to lead the design and execution of electrical substation projects within a design-build framework. This role involves managing project teams, developing engineering deliverables, performing electrical calculations, and specifying substation equipment. The engineer will coordinate with procurement, interface with construction and commissioning teams, ensure code compliance, and support project planning efforts including schedules, budgets, and forecasts. A Bachelor's degree in Electrical Engineering and a minimum of 5 years of substation design experience are required. Proficiency in design tools like AutoCAD, MicroStation, and power system analysis software is essential. The position offers a competitive salary range of $110,000 - $140,000 annually, plus bonus and benefits, and requires onsite presence.

About You:

Do you have an entrepreneurial spirit and a passion for engineering? Do you love designing and implementing complex electrical systems? Are you looking for a company that is constantly trying to push the boundaries of what it means to offer a better construction solution process by using design/build? If the answer is, “Yes!” then we have an opportunity that will excite you. Who are we? We are ARCO, a Family of Construction Companies.

ARCO/Murray National is currently looking for a Substation Engineer to join our team based in Downers Grove, Illinois. This individual will be responsible for guiding the full electrical scope and leading the development of substation system designs and power solutions in support of design/build projects. The successful candidate will be a highly motivated engineer capable of leading project teams, providing technical expertise on substation engineering projects, and supporting work across a variety of facility and utility-related applications.

A Day in the Life:

  • Lead and manage project teams of engineers and designers in the design and execution of electrical substation projects.
  • Develop, review, and approve engineering deliverables including single-line diagrams, three-line diagrams, one-line drawings, schematics, bus arrangements, grounding systems, conduit and cable layouts, control house layouts, relay panel arrangements, bill of materials, bus supports, and equipment foundations.
  • Perform electrical calculations and studies such as short circuit and interrupting analysis, bus loading, conductor sizing, voltage drop, and grounding or ground-grid analysis.
  • Create or review specifications, data sheets, and technical submittals for major substation equipment including transformers, switchgear, breakers, disconnects, bus duct, control and relay panels, and cable tray.
  • Support projects involving breaker and switch replacements, relay panel replacements, RTU replacements, ring bus expansions, and line, bus, and transformer relay upgrades.
  • Coordinate with procurement to evaluate vendor submittals, ensure compliance with specifications, and respond to technical RFIs and clarifications.
  • Interface with construction and commissioning teams by reviewing contractor drawings, monitoring field installation, supporting design changes, and providing technical resolution for field issues and construction deviations.
  • Conduct project scoping and site walkdowns and travel to substations or project sites as required.
  • Ensure compliance with relevant codes and standards including IEEE, ANSI, NESC/NEC, applicable local utility and authority standards, and company QA/QC processes.
  • Provide design support through construction and commissioning phases, including attending factory acceptance tests, witnessing installation, supporting energization, and assisting in commissioning and verification activities.
  • Collaborate with multidisciplinary teams including civil/structural, protection and control, project management, and site construction to ensure coordinated design and execution.
  • Support change-order review, cost estimating, constructability review, risk identification, and project planning efforts including schedules, budgets, and forecasts.
  • Apply a strong understanding of substation physical design including ground grid, rigid and strain bus, and raceway systems.
  • Mentor junior engineers and drafters, provide quality reviews of drawings and calculations, and help ensure projects are completed on time and within budget.

    • Necessary Qualifications:

  • Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or related discipline from an accredited institution.
  • Minimum of 5 years of substation design and engineering experience, utility-scale experience preferred, or comparable heavy commercial construction-related background.
  • Strong working knowledge of substation design practices for high-voltage equipment, bus systems, grounding, control/relay systems, station service, and physical layout design.
  • Demonstrated ability to read, interpret, and produce single-line, three-line, schematic, and layout drawings.
  • Experience preparing technical specifications, bills of material, and vendor data reviews.
  • Proficiency with design tools and software such as AutoCAD, MicroStation, ETAP, SKM, Mathcad, or other power-system calculation tools.
  • EIT certification desired; PE certification is a plus.
  • Experience leading projects, developing engineering schedules, budgets, and forecasts.
  • Excellent written and verbal communication skills with the ability to collaborate across design, procurement, construction, and client teams.
  • Willingness to travel to project sites as required.
  • Familiarity with engineering deliverables in a GC setting, including design-build or EPC support, is a plus.

    • What We Can Offer You:

    We are dedicated to the well-being of our associates and are proud to be consistently recognized as a Best Place to Work. Our compensation and benefits package not only supports our associates and their families but benefits local communities and communities around the world.

  • Industry-leading performance-based bonus program
  • Employee Stock Ownership Plan (ESOP)
  • Traditional and Roth 401k
  • Tuition reimbursement for associates
  • Scholarship for associates’ children up to $28,000 per child
  • 1-month paid sabbatical after every five years of employment, plus $5,000 for travel
  • 1-week paid volunteer leave each year
  • 100% charitable match
  • Medical, dental, and vision insurance coverage
  • Paid parental leave

    • Typical base compensation for the Substation Electrical Engineer role is between $110,000 and $140,000. Candidates with extensive experience may exceed this range. In addition to base salary, the role is eligible to receive discretionary bonus compensation based on individual and company performance.

    At ARCO, our first core value is to treat people fairly and do the right thing. We are committed to building and sustaining a culture that supports diversity and inclusion. We are proud to be an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment.

    From recruiting, training, and hiring practices to selecting our subcontractors, we understand that diversity of all those involved in the construction process enhances our ability to deliver the best solutions to our customers. We hire the best and the brightest from across the country – constructing a team of experts in architecture, design, engineering, project management, and business services.

    This represents typical base compensation for the role. Candidates with extensive experience may exceed this range. In addition to base salary, the role is eligible to receive discretionary bonus compensation based on individual and company performance.

    Pay Range$110,000—$140,000 USD

    MAKE YOUR MOVE

    We are proud to be one of the fastest-growing, privately-owned companies in America, celebrating over 30 years of experience as design-build experts. We have completed over 7,500 design-build projects nationwide. We ranked #9 on ENR’s Design-Build Firms list and #34 on ENR's Top 400 Contractors list of 2026. Most importantly, our clients like us, trust us, and want to do business with us. We are looking for people with the same enthusiasm, passion, and respect for the hard work that brought us to where we are today. Are you a person who can make a difference at ARCO? If the answer is “Yes!” we look forward to meeting you.

    ARCO does not accept unsolicited resumes from individual recruiters or third-party recruiting agencies without pre-approval from ARCO’s Human Resources team. Pre-approval is required before any external candidate can be submitted. ARCO will not be responsible for fees related to unsolicited resumes and for candidates who are sent directly to our hiring managers. Agencies must have a fully executed vendor agreement in place as well as written approval to submit candidates from an ARCO TA Manager for a specific position before submitting candidates.

    LEGAL DISCLAIMER

    EOE, including disability/vets

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