Senior Substation Design Engineer

About the role

WSP South Africa is seeking a Senior Substation Design Engineer to lead the design and delivery of transmission and distribution substation projects across Southern Africa. The role combines technical engineering, detailed design, and project management responsibilities for substations ranging from 400 V LV to 500 kV AC.

Key responsibilities

• Prepare and review conceptual and functional designs, specifications, bills of quantity and tender documents for 11 kV‑500 kV substation projects.
• Produce detailed engineering drawings including single‑line diagrams, general arrangements, bay layouts, earthing, busbar, lighting and lightning‑protection plans.
• Conduct engineering calculations such as load‑flow, short‑circuit and protection‑coordination studies, including earth‑mat modelling with CDEGS.
• Select appropriate substation equipment (transformers, instrument transformers, circuit breakers) and develop technical data sheets and BOMs.
• Ensure designs comply with IEC, IEEE, SANS and Eskom (or equivalent) standards and review contractor submissions.
• Support construction and commissioning phases by responding to technical queries, inspecting factory deliveries, witnessing tests and monitoring site progress.
• Participate in stakeholder meetings, prepare minutes, technical documentation and project reports.

Required profile

• BSc or BEng in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline.
• Proven experience leading engineering teams on substation projects up to 500 kV (experience with 765 kV AC/DC is a plus).
• Strong background in both preliminary and detailed substation design and construction support.
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively on multiple projects.

Required skills

• Substation design and engineering.
• Load‑flow, short‑circuit and protection‑coordination analysis.
• CDEGS modelling software.
• Knowledge of IEC, IEEE, SANS and Eskom standards.
• Preparation of engineering drawings (SLD, GA, bay layout, earthing, busbar, lighting).
• Equipment selection (transformers, instrument transformers, circuit breakers).
• Project management and construction‑phase engineering support.