Substation Civil Project Engineer

Insight Global

📍Oakland, CA
Posted May 19, 2026

Job Overview

Position

Substation Civil Project Engineer

Company

Insight Global

Location

Oakland, CA

Work Type

On-site

Job ID

li-4415937832

Job Description

Compensation: $175K+ base salary + full relocation allowance

Location:
Oakland, West Sacramento, or Fresno, CA

Schedule
: Hybrid (2 days onsite)

A leading electric utility in California is undergoing a major modernization of its grid infrastructure and is actively hiring
Substation Civil Project Engineers
to support critical upgrades across Northern California. This effort is focused on long-term system reliability, seismic resiliency, and supporting increasing demand driven by electrification, data centers, and renewable integration.

About the Role

This position sits within the Substation Civil Engineering team and is responsible for the design and execution of infrastructure supporting electric substations. The role is heavily focused on structural and civil engineering components, including foundations, grading, and equipment support systems, with involvement from early scoping through construction.

Engineers in this role operate with strong ownership of engineering scope and are expected to apply independent judgment while coordinating with internal teams, consultants, and contractors to deliver complex projects safely and efficiently.

Key Responsibilities

  • Lead civil and structural design for substation projects

  • Design

foundations, structural supports, and grading plans
  • Support

seismic retrofit and resiliency improvements
  • Perform engineering calculations, technical studies, and design reviews

  • Conduct site walkdowns and support field engineering activities

  • Review drawings, specifications, and vendor submittals

  • Coordinate with project managers, construction teams, and external partners

Qualifications

  • Active

Professional Engineer (PE)
license (any state)
  • Background in

civil or structural engineering
  • Experience with:

  • Substation or utility engineering

  • Structural steel and reinforced concrete

  • Foundation systems (deep and shallow)

  • Seismic design or retrofit work

  • Experience in utility, energy, or industrial environments preferred

  • Ability to independently manage engineering scope and collaborate across teams

What Makes This Opportunity Stand Out

  • Work on

large-scale grid modernization efforts
  • Direct involvement in

seismic resiliency and system reliability projects
  • Strong ownership from design through construction

  • Exposure to both

engineering design and field execution
  • Long-term stability driven by infrastructure investment

Next Steps

Candidates with experience in
substation civil or structural engineering
are encouraged to apply with their most recent resume and a brief overview of relevant project experience.

$175,000+ Per Year Salary

Exact compensation may vary based on several factors, including skills, experience, and education.

Benefit packages for this role will start on the 31st day of employment and include medical, dental, and vision insurance, as well as HSA, FSA, and DCFSA account options, and 401k retirement account access with employer matching. Employees in this role are also entitled to paid sick leave and/or other paid time off as provided by applicable law.

Interview Prep

AI-powered insights to help you prepare

Key Skills

Required:
Preferred:

Practice Questions

💡Technical Questions (3)
  • 1.How do you approach the design of deep versus shallow foundation systems for heavy substation equipment, particularly in seismically active regions like California?
  • 2.Can you walk me through your process for performing a seismic retrofit on an existing substation structure?
  • 3.What key factors do you consider when developing a grading and drainage plan for a high-voltage substation yard?
🎯Behavioral Questions (3)
  • 1.Tell me about a time you led the civil and structural design for a complex utility project from early scoping through construction.
  • 2.Describe a situation where you had to apply independent judgment to resolve a significant engineering conflict during a substation project.
  • 3.Give an example of how you effectively coordinated with project managers, construction teams, and external partners to deliver a project safely.
🧩Situational Questions (2)
  • 1.You are conducting a site walkdown and notice that the contractor's installed rebar for a large transformer foundation does not match your approved drawings, and concrete is scheduled to be poured in two hours. What do you do?
  • 2.You are managing the civil scope for a substation upgrade and receive a revised equipment layout from the electrical team late in the design phase, which impacts your completed grading and foundation plans. How do you handle this?

Resume Keywords

Make sure these keywords appear on your resume

Professional Engineer (PE)Substation DesignStructural EngineeringFoundation DesignSeismic RetrofitGrading PlansReinforced ConcreteSite WalkdownsUtility EngineeringGrid ModernizationVendor SubmittalsField Engineering

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