How to apply for Substation Engineering Lead - Physical - Remote (U.S.)

AECOM

About AECOM

AECOM is a global infrastructure consulting firm that designs and builds sustainable legacies, with a strong focus on innovation and environmental stewardship. Working at AECOM means being part of a team that tackles complex challenges and creates lasting impact in communities worldwide.

About the role

As a Substation Engineering Lead, you will be the technical backbone for utility-scale substation projects, guiding the physical design from concept to completion. Your expertise will ensure high-quality, cost-effective solutions that keep the power grid reliable and resilient, directly contributing to the sustainable infrastructure that AECOM is known for.

A typical day

A typical day might start with a virtual team stand-up to review project progress, followed by reviewing design documents from junior engineers and providing technical guidance. You might then join a client call to discuss project requirements, and later focus on preparing technical specifications or conducting quality control reviews. The day could end with updating project schedules and budgets, or researching new industry standards.

Who AECOM is looking for

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Tips for this application

Tailor your resume to highlight specific substation projects you've led, emphasizing the physical design aspects (e.g., voltage levels, equipment specifications, and design standards).
In your cover letter, explicitly mention your experience with utility-scale substation physical design and how it aligns with AECOM's focus on sustainable legacies.
Research AECOM's recent substation projects and incorporate relevant keywords from the job description into your application to pass ATS scans.
Since the role is remote, emphasize your ability to work independently and collaborate virtually with teams across different time zones.
Obtain and mention relevant professional certifications (e.g., PE license) and any experience with industry software like AutoCAD, Bentley Substation, or similar.

What to cover in your cover letter

1. Highlight your extensive experience in physical substation design, with specific examples of projects you've led. 2. Demonstrate your leadership and mentoring skills, showing how you've guided teams to deliver high-quality results. 3. Emphasize your ability to manage budgets and schedules, ensuring projects are completed on time and within budget. 4. Express your alignment with AECOM's mission of building sustainable legacies and your interest in contributing to innovative infrastructure solutions.

Draft a cover letter

Research before applying

Look into AECOM's recent substation and power delivery projects, especially those that emphasize sustainability or grid modernization.
Understand AECOM's corporate culture and values, particularly their commitment to environmental, social, and governance (ESG) goals.
Review AECOM's remote work policies and how they support collaboration and professional development for remote employees.
Check if AECOM has any published technical papers or webinars on substation design that you can reference during the interview.

Likely interview topics

Based on the job description, expect questions about:

Describe a complex substation physical design project you led. What were the challenges and how did you overcome them?
How do you ensure quality control in your design deliverables? Can you provide an example of a time you caught a critical error?
Given the remote nature of this role, how do you plan to manage and mentor a team effectively from a distance?
What is your experience with utility standards and codes (e.g., IEEE, NESC)? How do you stay updated with changes?
How do you approach cost estimation for substation projects, and what factors do you consider when developing engineering budgets?

Practise interview questions

Common mistakes to avoid

Don't focus too much on general electrical engineering experience; ensure your resume and answers clearly emphasize substation physical design specifically.
Avoid generic cover letters that don't mention AECOM or the specific role. Tailor each application to show you've done your homework.
Don't underestimate the importance of leadership and soft skills; this role requires mentoring and client interaction, so highlight those abilities.

Deadline

No deadline is listed. Roles without a deadline usually close once the employer has enough candidates, so apply soon if you are interested.