Application Guide

How to Apply for Team Lead - Physical Substations

at NEI Electric Power Engineering

🏢 About NEI Electric Power Engineering

NEI Electric Power Engineering specializes in innovative renewable energy solutions, focusing on PV, battery systems, and wind collection projects. What makes them unique is their engineering-first approach to the renewable energy transition, offering candidates the chance to work on cutting-edge projects that directly contribute to sustainable energy infrastructure across the US.

About This Role

As Team Lead - Physical Substations, you'll manage multidisciplinary teams to deliver accurate civil/structural substation designs for renewable energy projects. This role is impactful because you'll oversee complete design packages from planning through execution, ensuring quality standards while mentoring engineers who are building America's renewable grid infrastructure.

💡 A Day in the Life

A typical day involves morning virtual stand-ups with your distributed engineering team to review project progress, followed by detailed design review sessions using AutoCAD and SAP2000 for ongoing substation projects. You'll spend significant time mentoring team members on technical challenges, coordinating with clients on project requirements, and developing design standards that align with NEI's renewable energy focus.

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Interview Prep

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🎯 Who NEI Electric Power Engineering Is Looking For

  • A licensed civil/structural engineer (FE required, PE preferred) with 5+ years specifically in electric power substation design, not just general civil engineering
  • Proficient in the exact software stack mentioned: AutoCAD, SAP2000, L-pile, Mathcad, and AutoCAD Civil 3D, with demonstrated experience applying relevant codes to substation projects
  • Has proven experience developing staff through mentoring in a technical environment, not just managing deliverables
  • Self-motivated and organized enough to thrive in a remote setting while coordinating teams across multiple time zones

📝 Tips for Applying to NEI Electric Power Engineering

1

Quantify your substation design experience - specify how many substation projects you've completed, their voltage levels, and your exact role in producing design packages

2

Highlight renewable energy project experience prominently, even if it's adjacent to substations (PV, wind, battery storage integration)

3

Create a portfolio section showing your proficiency with their specific software tools - mention versions and how you've used each for substation design

4

Address remote work readiness by describing how you've successfully managed distributed engineering teams or collaborated remotely on complex projects

5

Tailor your resume to mirror their terminology - use phrases like 'physical substation design,' 'civil/structural scopes,' and 'Standard Best Practices development'

✉️ What to Emphasize in Your Cover Letter

['Your specific experience with physical substation design for renewable energy integration (not just traditional power)', 'Examples of developing engineering staff through mentoring and how you improved team capabilities', "How you've managed the complete design package process from initial planning through submittal review", 'Your approach to maintaining quality and accuracy in remote team environments']

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🔍 Research Before Applying

To stand out, make sure you've researched:

  • → NEI's specific renewable energy projects - look for case studies on their website about PV, battery, or wind collection systems they've engineered
  • → The company's approach to remote engineering teams and their collaboration tools/methodologies
  • → Recent industry challenges in substation design for renewable integration (like grid stability with intermittent sources)
  • → Their clients and partners in the renewable energy sector to understand project types and scales

💬 Prepare for These Interview Topics

Based on this role, you may be asked about:

1 Walk us through your process for reviewing and approving a complete substation design package
2 Describe a time you mentored an engineer or drafter who was struggling with substation-specific design challenges
3 How do you ensure compliance with relevant codes (like NESC, ASCE, IBC) in a remote team setting?
4 What experience do you have with cost estimation and client communication for substation projects?
5 How would you develop or improve Standard Best Practices for physical substation design at NEI?
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⚠️ Common Mistakes to Avoid

  • Applying with only general civil engineering experience without specific substation design examples
  • Not addressing the remote work aspect or assuming it's identical to office-based team leadership
  • Focusing solely on technical skills without demonstrating staff development and mentoring capabilities

📅 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 NEI Electric Power Engineering!

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