Substation Project Engineer

TD Thornton

TD Thornton is a premier consulting firm specializing in project management and project controls solutions. We provide strong onboarding and ongoing support to help our people succeed. We welcome applicants from engineering, construction management, project management, business analytics, scheduling, and anyone who thrives in a collaborative environment

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

Compensation & Benefits

$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)

About TD Thornton

Since 2005, TD Thornton has been helping our clients bridge organizational gaps by providing best-in-class consulting services and staff augmentation. Whether we are part of the contractor’s team or serving as an owner’s representative, we offer a wide spectrum of construction management support services to help our clients mitigate risks and deliver successful project outcomes. We believe our diversity is part of our strength and are proud to be a woman–owned and minority-owned company.

Learn more about us at www.tdthornton.com and on LinkedIn .

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