Job Overview
Title: Substation Project Engineer
Sector: Transmission & Substation
Seniority: Mid-Senior
Location: San Jose, CA
Job Type: Hybrid
As a Substation Project Engineer, you will support and lead the planning, design, and execution of electrical substation capital projects within a major utility environment. Working under general direction, you will manage scope, schedule, and cost for low to medium complexity projects while developing the skills necessary to lead larger, more complex initiatives. In this role, you will operate as both a project engineer and project manager, gaining hands-on experience across the full project lifecycle. You will collaborate with cross-functional teams, contribute to engineering and construction decisions, and ensure projects are delivered safely, on time, and within budget. As your experience grows, you will take on increased ownership and serve as the primary point of contact for assigned projects.
Your Day-to-Day Activities
- Support planning and execution of substation capital projects from initiation through closeout
- Develop and define project scope, objectives, and deliverables in collaboration with stakeholders
- Build and maintain project schedules, including milestones, dependencies, and resource planning
- Track and analyze project costs, forecasts, and financial performance to ensure alignment with budgets
- Monitor project progress, identify risks, and implement mitigation strategies
- Serve as a point of contact for project communication, providing updates to internal teams and stakeholders
- Lead or support project meetings, ensuring alignment on scope, schedule, and deliverables
- Coordinate cross-functional teams, including engineering, construction, and project controls
- Ensure project documentation is complete, accurate, and maintained throughout the lifecycle
- Update internal systems and tools (such as SAP and project tracking databases) with current project data
- Monitor project cash flow and provide monthly financial projections and status reports
- Support change management processes, including scope adjustments and schedule updates
- Apply quality standards and review deliverables to ensure compliance with project requirements
- Identify lessons learned and incorporate best practices into future project execution
- Manage multiple projects concurrently, prioritizing tasks and deadlines effectively
- Support engineering analysis efforts, such as transmission line rerate studies and cost evaluations
- Collaborate with internal and external stakeholders to resolve issues and improve project outcomes
The Job Requirements
- Bachelor’s degree in Engineering or a related technical field (required)
- 3-10 years of experience in project management, power system engineering, and design
- Exposure to utility, infrastructure, or electrical construction projects
- Basic understanding of project scheduling, cost tracking, and project controls principles
- Ability to manage multiple tasks and projects in a fast-paced environment
- Strong communication skills with the ability to work across cross-functional teams
- Experience supporting projects from planning through execution and closeout
- Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
- Currently within a commutable distance to the job site
You’ll stand out if you have
- Experience with substation, transmission, or utility infrastructure projects
- Familiarity with SAP or similar enterprise systems
- Experience with scheduling tools such as Primavera P6 or Microsoft Project
- EIT certification, PMP certification, or progress toward a PE license
- Strong analytical, problem-solving, and decision-making skills
- Ability to lead meetings, influence stakeholders, and build alignment across teams
- Experience presenting project updates to leadership or key stakeholders
- $115,000-$180,000 annual salary
- Paid holiday, sick, and vacation time
- Medical, Dental, and Vision Coverage
- Health Savings Accounts (HSAs)
- 401(k) with Company Match
- Annual Bonus
- Tuition Reimbursement
- Paid Parental Leave
- Flexible Spending Account (FSAs)
Skills Required
- Bachelor's degree in Engineering or a related technical field
- 3-10 years of experience in project management, power system engineering, and design
- Authorization to work in the United States without sponsorship
What We Do
Founded in 2005, TD Thornton is a specialized consulting firm that helps our clients bridge any organizational gaps that might be holding them back. We offer a wide spectrum of project management services—from project controls, scheduling and estimating, to program management and software implementation—all designed to overcome business obstacles, enable better strategic decisions, and create smooth, efficient processes. When we team up with a client to move their project forward, we bring a passion for success and a deep bench of professionals who know how to move the needle. We are looking for enthusiastic, high-energy people with a passion for problem solving, teamwork and having fun. We believe in a company culture that fosters creativity, fearlessness, adventurous learning, personal growth and balance. Our employees enjoy the opportunity to work for Fortune 500 clients and alongside many of the top consulting firms in the world. TD Thornton provides a fast-paced, start-up environment where ingenuity, excellence and leadership are encouraged and rewarded
