Lead Substation Project Engineer

This Opportunity WSP is seeking a Lead Substation Project Engineer for our Data Center Initiation Team in Overland Park, KS. The following locations will also be considered: Seattle, New York, and San Diego. We can also offer this position remotely. This role provides technical leadership for early-stage substation development and supports strategic decision-making for large-scale data center infrastructure projects. As demand for AI, cloud computing, and digital infrastructure accelerates, our clients are developing some of the world's largest, most complex, and most power-intensive facilities. In this role, you will help deliver the electrical infrastructure that enables next-generation data center campuses—projects requiring hundreds of megawatts of power and unprecedented levels of planning, engineering, and coordination. You will work across the full project lifecycle, playing a key role in delivering critical infrastructure for some of the industry's most prominent clients. What makes this opportunity unique is the breadth of collaboration across WSP's global organization. You will work alongside top experts in their field to solve highly complex infrastructure challenges. This multidisciplinary environment provides exposure to the full range of technical and strategic considerations required to successfully develop large-scale data center campuses. You will contribute to the planning and design of substations, transmission interconnections, and site electrical infrastructure while supporting fast-paced projects that demand innovation, technical excellence, and strong collaboration. If you're energized by large-scale infrastructure projects, enjoy solving complex technical challenges, and want to help shape the future of digital infrastructure, this is an opportunity to make a lasting impact while accelerating your career on some of the most significant power delivery projects being developed today. In this role, you’ll lead the development of innovative substation designs at the earliest stages of high-profile data center projects. Your work will directly enable clients to evaluate feasibility, scalability, and long-term reliability, setting the foundation for successful project delivery. You’ll collaborate across WSP’s diverse business lines to assess site conditions, utility capacity, and system requirements, bringing together the insights needed to turn complex challenges into actionable solutions. As a technical leader, you’ll drive substation configuration, guide critical equipment selection, and define forward-thinking electrical infrastructure strategies. Beyond design, you’ll play a key role in leading multidisciplinary teams and advancing projects from initial concept through to design handoff. Your Impact • Lead multidisciplinary coordination for site evaluation, infrastructure planning, and integration • Support and contribute to proposal strategy, scope, and technical approach • Lead execution of technical work during early project phases (initiation through design) • Serve as a key interface with clients, utilities, and stakeholders • Conduct site visits to validate designs and address constructability challenges • Develop and track project scope, schedules, and technical deliverables • Perform and oversee substation design, including: o Physical design and/or protection & control systems o Layouts, grounding, lightning protection, and SCADA integration • Review and produce design deliverables (plans, elevations, wiring diagrams, etc.) • Provide oversight and review of engineering studies and calculations • Support equipment specification, procurement, and vendor evaluation • Ensure QA/QC compliance across assigned deliverables • Provide mentorship and technical guidance to junior engineers and designers • Contribute to continuous improvement of design practices and standards • Communicate technical concepts clearly to diverse audiences Exercise responsible and ethical decision-making regarding company funds, resources and conduct, and adhere to WSP’s Code of Conduct and related policies and procedures. Perform additional responsibilities as required by business needs. Who You Are Required Qualifications Bachelor’s Degree in Electrical Engineering 10+ years of substation design experience Experience leading design packages or acting as technical lead Strong knowledge of substation systems, equipment, and design standards Experience in either physical or P&C design (cross-discipline exposure preferred) Ability to independently execute and coordinate technical work Strong communication, leadership, and coordination skills Proven ability to manage competing priorities Must be flexible to a variety of schedules to meet business needs and able to prioritize responsibilities and quickly adapt to change in a pressure work environment. Demonstrated ability to mentor and support junior staff Occasional travel may be required depending on project-specific requirements. Preferred Qualifications: Professional Engineer (PE) License Experience serving as technical lead on multi-discipline projects Data center or large infrastructure project experience WSP Benefits: WSP provides a comprehensive suite of benefits focused on providing health and financial stability throughout the employee’s career. These benefits include coverage related to medical, dental, vision, disability, and life; retirement savings; paid sick leave; paid vacation (or other personal time); paid parental leave; and paid time off for purposes of bereavement, voting, and/or attendance at naturalization proceedings. Compensation: Expected Salary (all locations): $119,600 - $213,000 WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and offer for this position, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law. Expected Salary (Colorado only): $111,200 - $186,000 WSP USA is providing the compensation range that the company in good faith believes it might pay and/or offer for this position within the state of Colorado, based on the successful applicant’s education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities in addition to internal equity and specific geographic location. WSP USA reserves the right to ultimately pay more or less than the posted range and offer additional benefits and other compensation, depending on circumstances not related to an applicant’s sex or other status protected by local, state, and/or federal law. #LI-PR1