Application Guide

How to Apply for Senior Structural Engineer (Substation Focus) - Remote (US)

at AECOM

🏢 About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm known for delivering sustainable and innovative solutions. Their focus on building legacies and commitment to environmental stewardship makes them a leader in shaping communities. Working here offers the chance to impact large-scale, high-voltage infrastructure projects while enjoying remote flexibility.

About This Role

As the Senior Structural Engineer for substations, you'll be the engineer of record, ensuring the structural integrity of critical electrical infrastructure. Your work directly supports the reliability of power grids, and you'll collaborate across disciplines to deliver projects from concept to completion. This role combines deep technical expertise with leadership and business development.

💡 A Day in the Life

You might start your day reviewing design schedules and emails from project teams. Mid-morning, you could perform structural calculations for a new substation layout, then join a call with electrical engineers to coordinate steel framing. After lunch, you might mentor a junior engineer on a concrete foundation design, and later review a proposal for a high-voltage switchyard project.

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🎯 Who AECOM Is Looking For

  • A seasoned structural engineer with 8+ years of experience specifically in substation and high-voltage infrastructure design, including steel and concrete.
  • Proficient in analytical modeling software (e.g., STAAD, SAP2000) and able to perform complex calculations for seismic, wind, and load conditions.
  • Experience acting as engineer of record, mentoring junior engineers, and managing design schedules and budgets.
  • Demonstrated ability to support proposal development and business development strategies for electrical infrastructure clients.

📝 Tips for Applying to AECOM

1

Highlight specific substation projects where you served as engineer of record, including details on structural design and collaboration with electrical teams.

2

Quantify your experience: mention number of substations designed, voltage levels (e.g., 138kV, 345kV), and any cost/schedule improvements.

3

Tailor your resume to emphasize proficiency in both structural steel and concrete design, and list the exact software tools you've used.

4

In your cover letter, discuss your experience with proposal support and business development, not just technical work.

5

Since it's remote, mention your experience working independently and with distributed teams, and your availability for occasional travel to client sites.

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your depth of experience in substation structural design and acting as engineer of record.', 'Your ability to collaborate with multi-disciplinary teams (civil, electrical, project management) to deliver integrated solutions.', 'Your track record of mentoring junior engineers and contributing to proposal/business development efforts.', "Your commitment to sustainable design and how you align with AECOM's mission of building legacies."]

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → Review AECOM's recent substation and high-voltage infrastructure projects on their website or news releases.
  • → Understand AECOM's sustainability initiatives and how they integrate into structural engineering practices.
  • → Familiarize yourself with AECOM's corporate structure and the 'Building Legacies' brand promise.
  • → Check if there are any AECOM webinars or white papers on substation design trends.

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Describe a challenging substation project you led as engineer of record and how you resolved structural issues.
2 How do you approach collaboration with electrical engineers to integrate structural and electrical designs?
3 Explain your experience with business development: how have you contributed to winning new substation projects?
4 What software tools do you use for analytical modeling and how do you ensure accuracy in calculations?
5 How do you stay current with industry standards (e.g., ASCE, AISC, ACI) and apply them to substation design?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Failing to mention specific substation experience or using generic structural engineering examples.
  • Overlooking the business development aspect – this role expects you to contribute to winning work.
  • Not demonstrating remote work readiness or assuming the role is fully remote without occasional travel.

📅 Application Timeline

This position is open until filled. However, we recommend applying as soon as possible as roles at mission-driven organizations tend to fill quickly.

Typical hiring timeline:

1

Application Review

1-2 weeks

2

Initial Screening

Phone call or written assessment

3

Interviews

1-2 rounds, usually virtual

✓

Offer

Congratulations!

Ready to Apply?

Good luck with your application to AECOM!

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