Physical Designer; Substation

Physical Designer (Substation) – GFT

Join the power team at GFT and work on cutting‑edge projects that shape the future of energy infrastructure. The Physical Designer will be responsible for the design of high‑voltage substations up to 500 kV, ensuring safety, quality, and reliability while collaborating with senior engineers and stakeholders.

• Design and execute high‑voltage substation projects in the 34.5 kV – 500 kV range, emphasizing project safety, cost, quality, and reliability.
• Generate detailed engineering deliverables under the supervision of a lead engineer.
• Detail physical aspects of the engineering design, including general arrangement, elevation, grounding, and conduit drawings.
• Complete basic engineering calculations related to deliverables.
• Follow instructions from supervisors or engineers for complex design assignments, applying standard design principles and practices.
• Use standard CAD tools to create drawings and related deliverables.
• Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, and installation standards and specifications.
• Inspect completed installations and observe operations to ensure conformance to design and equipment specifications and compliance with operational and safety standards.
• Oversee project production efforts to ensure projects are completed satisfactorily, on time, and within budget.
• Prepare and study technical drawings and specifications of electrical systems to ensure installation and operations meet standards and customer requirements.
• Travel to job sites for assessment and data gathering as needed, returning to the office with sufficient field notes to complete project design.

• 3+ years of relevant substation or general electrical T&D designing experience.
• Expertise in using computer‑aided drafting tools such as AutoCAD or Micro Station.
• In‑depth knowledge of NESC, NEC, IEEE, ANSI, and the Design Guide for Rural Substations.
• Ability to review and coordinate vendor submittals for compliance with design parameters.
• Knowledge of substation phase spacing and electrical clearance requirements for live conductors, switch components, and bus supports.
• Ability to develop and review complete construction documents—layouts, elevations, details, grounding plans and details, trench and conduit plans and details, single‑line diagrams, etc.—with little or no supervision.
• Ability to create control enclosure layout, cable tray layout and details, and conduit drawings.
• Knowledge of substation voltages, MV, HV, and EHV.
• Ability to design substation duct banks and interpret engineering calculations and studies.
• Strength in applying project schedules to complete tasks on time and within budget.
• Thorough knowledge of substation structures and equipment, including connectors, insulators, switches, and conductors.
• Knowledge of substation construction and/or commissioning techniques and industry standards.
• Ability to write routine reports and correspondence.
• Proficiency in sketching single‑line diagrams, layouts, general arrangements, conduit plans, trench plans, grounding plans, and other design documents with minimal oversight.

• Experience in the energy industry or consulting services environment.
• Skilled in 3D modeling.

GFT is a privately held AEC firm that innovates where transportation, water, power, and buildings converge. We call this the Infrastructure of Life. Our clients choose us for our expertise, nimble approach, creativity, and personal touch, backed by over a century’s experience.

GFT is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified candidates will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, veterans’ status or other characteristics protected by law.

Applicants in the County of Los Angeles – Qualified applications with arrest or conviction records will be considered for employment in accordance with the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance for Employers and the California Fair Chance Act.

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