Substation engineer
Also known as: substation technology engineering specialist, substation engineering expert, substation technology engineering consultant, substation technology engineering adviser, substation engineering specialist, sub-stations engineer
About this occupation
Substation engineers design medium and high voltage substations used for the transmission, distribution, and generation of electrical energy. They develop methods for the efficient operation of the energy process, and ensure compliance to safety and environmental standards.
A specialisation of electrical engineer.
Essential skills and knowledge
- ensure compliance with environmental legislation
- ensure compliance with safety legislation
- electricity consumption
- electrical discharge
- use technical drawing software
- operate electronic measuring instruments
- electricity principles
- approve engineering design
- ensure safety in electrical power operations
- inspect facility sites
- create AutoCAD drawings
- make electrical calculations
Typical tasks and preparation
From the related US occupation profile Electrical Engineers (O*NET 17-2071.00). Linked by an official crosswalk: related, not identical; details vary by country.
- Design, implement, maintain, or improve electrical instruments, equipment, facilities, components, products, or systems for commercial, industrial, or domestic purposes.
- Oversee project production efforts to assure projects are completed on time and within budget.
- Direct or coordinate manufacturing, construction, installation, maintenance, support, documentation, or testing activities to ensure compliance with specifications, codes, or customer requirements.
- Perform detailed calculations to compute and establish manufacturing, construction, or installation standards or specifications.
- Operate computer-assisted engineering or design software or equipment to perform engineering tasks.
- Confer with engineers, customers, or others to discuss existing or potential engineering projects or products.
- Typical education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Preparation
- Job Zone 4 of 5
- Interests
- Realistic, Investigative, Conventional
Top skills: Writing, Reading Comprehension, Critical Thinking, Active Listening, Speaking, Active Learning
US median pay: US$120,630 a year (2025), 198,750 employed. Source: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Occupational Employment and Wage Statistics.
Subjects this work relies on
How important each subject's knowledge is in the job itself, rated by people doing it (1 to 5).
- Computer StudiesO*NET: Computers and ElectronicsExtremely important (4.7)
- Design and TechnologyO*NET: Design + Engineering and TechnologyVery important (4.4)
- Technical DrawingO*NET: DesignVery important (4.1)
- English or Literature in EnglishO*NET: English LanguageVery important (3.8)
- Mathematics or StatisticsO*NET: MathematicsVery important (3.7)
- PhysicsO*NET: PhysicsVery important (3.6)
- MetalworkO*NET: MechanicalImportant (3.2)
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Preparation needed
Job Zone Four: Considerable Preparation Needed
- Most common education (US)
- Bachelor's Degree
- Education
- Most of these occupations require a four-year bachelor's degree, but some do not.
- Experience
- A considerable amount of work-related skill, knowledge, or experience is needed for these occupations. For example, an accountant must complete four years of college and work for several years in accounting to be considered qualified.
- Training
- Employees in these occupations usually need several years of work-related experience, on-the-job training, and/or vocational training.
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.
Related occupations
Occupations O*NET links to this one by similar work, skills and knowledge.
- Electronics Engineers, Except Computer
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Commercial and Industrial Equipment
- Mechanical Engineering Technologists and Technicians
- Electrical and Electronics Repairers, Powerhouse, Substation, and Relay
- Mechatronics Engineers
- Industrial Engineers
- Solar Energy Systems Engineers
- Microsystems Engineers
O*NET data describe work in the United States; requirements differ by country. This page includes information from the O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA). Used under the CC BY 4.0 license. O*NET is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. CareerProof Global has modified all or some of this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications.