Civil/structural Designer (substations)

Civil Designer

We are seeking a skilled Civil or Structural Substation Designer to work on substation projects for utilities, guiding them from initial engineering through construction support. The role requires a minimum of 3 years of experience, strong technical expertise, and proficiency in using various design software tools.

Responsibilities

• Design substation projects, handling steel and concrete detailing, substation layouts, and bill of materials.
• Use software such as Arista 3D, Stad, Mathcad, Lpile, Fad tools, and Mfad for calculations and design.
• Assist in construction by managing subcontractors and providing support.
• Prepare construction drawings, documents, calculations, and studies for medium and high voltage substation projects.
• Ensure technical delivery of power delivery engineering projects.
• Prepare calculations, studies, and reports for substation and power systems projects, complying with standards and requirements.
• Apply engineering design principles, formulas, and practices.
• Collaborate with small project teams to execute substation projects.

Essential Skills

• Minimum of 3 years of experience in substation design.
• Strong technical background in steel analysis, equipment, foundations, cabinets, and rack design.
• Proficiency in software such as Arista 3D, Stad, Mathcad, Lpile, Fad tools, and Mfad.
• Ability to manage concurrent projects and effectively communicate within a project team.
• Experience with substation physical equipment and power system calculations.
• Familiarity with standards including IEEE, IEC, NESC, and client standards.

Additional Skills & Qualifications

• 4+ years of experience in the Substation Design/Power Delivery Field.
• Experience with physical layouts, electrical elevations, plans (foundation, grounding, and raceway), and bills of materials.
• Ability to interpret and apply various engineering standards.
• Experience with Overhead Transmission and Gas Infrastructure projects is a plus.

Work Environment

The position offers a hybrid work environment, with potential for fully remote work depending on experience and ability to mentor remotely. Preferred candidates will be near San Diego or Phoenixville, PA offices, with an expectation of 4 days per week in-office, though remote work is an option. The schedule can be flexible, adhering to a 5/8 or 9/80 schedule, with a consistent work-from-home pattern if possible. Compensation varies based on location and experience.

Job Type & Location

This is a Contract position based out of San Diego, CA.

Pay and Benefits

The pay range for this position is $40.00 - $50.00/hr.

Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits available for this temporary role may include the following:

• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)

Workplace Type

This is a hybrid position in San Diego, CA.

Application Deadline

This position is anticipated to close on Mar 27, 2026.

Diversity, Equity & Inclusion

At Actalent, diversity and inclusion are a bridge towards the equity and success of our people. DE&I is embedded into our culture through:

• Hiring diverse talent
• Maintaining an inclusive environment through persistent self-reflection
• Building a culture of care, engagement, and recognition with clear outcomes
• Ensuring growth opportunities for our people

Actalent is an equal opportunity employer.

About Actalent

Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services. For more than 40 years, we've helped visionary companies advance their goals. Headquartered in the United States, our teams span 150 offices across North America, EMEA, and APAC—with four delivery centers in India led by 1,000+ extraordinary employees who connect their passion with purpose every day.

Our Bangalore, Hyderabad, Pune, and Chennai delivery centers are hubs of engineering expertise, with core capabilities in mechanical and electrical engineering, systems and software, and manufacturing engineering. Our teams deliver work across multiple industries including transportation, consumer and industrial products, and life sciences. We serve more than 4,500 clients, including many Fortune 500 brands. Learn more about how we can work together.