Job Information
NorthWestern Energy Substation Engineer in Butte, Montana
73000-139300 per year | Butte, MT, USA | Salary | Distribution Operations - MT | Regular Full Time
Substation Engineer
Work Location : Butte, MT
Pay range : $73,000 to $139,300 per year
Substation Engineer I - Starting Range: $73,000 - $97,200
Substation Engineer II - Starting Range: $74,900 - $111,500
Substation Engineer III - Starting Range: $83,500 - $125,400
Substation Engineer IV - Starting Range: $92,100 - $139,300
Employment Status: Regular Full-time
External candidates apply at northwesternenergy.com
Internal candidates apply through iConnect (https://iconnect.nwe.northwesternenergy.com/Employee-Portal/?m) .
About this position:
The Substation Operations Engineer is responsible for designing and overseeing the construction of substations in Montana and South Dakota. Key duties include substation layout and one line/three-line development, grading design, concrete foundation design, steel and wood structure design, and ground mat analysis and design. The Substation Operations Engineer is also responsible for project management tasks, including estimating, scheduling, budgeting, and forecasting, to ensure projects are completed on time, within budget, and in alignment with operational goals. This role involves close collaboration with contract crews and NorthWestern Energy's internal crews throughout construction, commissioning and energization of substations. The Engineer will also work alongside relay engineers, transmission line engineers, distribution engineers, and lands and permitting specialists to ensure designs meet industry standards.
We offer great benefits:
NorthWestern Energy is a fully regulated electric and natural gas utility serving Montana, South Dakota and Nebraska. We employ over 1,500 amazing people and serve 775,300 customers who are our neighbors in our communities. We are a top employer and offer competitive benefits, including:
401K with company match up to 4% and non-elective contribution up to 7%
Healthcare and wellbeing programs, including dental and vision for you, your spouse and dependents, Health Savings Account (HSA), healthcare and dependent care flexible spending account (FSA)
Employee Assistance Programs (Offering up to six free counseling sessions, per person, per issue, per year for employees, spouses and dependents to include financial heath)
Life Insurance (Company pays basic employee policy; spouse, dependent insurance also available)
Tuition reimbursement
Competitive pay (Scheduled performance-based wage increases and annual incentive opportunities.)
Paid company endorsed volunteer opportunities
Paid parental leave
Paid bereavement leave
Paid training opportunities
Paid time off starting on your first day, plus 11 paid holidays
Benefits may vary by position or as negotiated as part of a collective bargaining agreement.
About this job:
Design and implement innovative, cost-effective solutions to optimize substation projects
Manage a project from inception to completion, including estimating, designing, budgeting, forecasting, procuring materials, scheduling and overseeing execution
Coordinate and oversee contractor teams and subcontractors for substation projects
Maintain substation drawings and records, such as construction plans, equipment specs, correspondence, purchase orders, and approval drawings
Spec, request quotes, create purchase requisitions/orders, and procure relevant materials for projects
Develop detailed, phased construction plans, including clearances/outages, material deliveries, tasks, and responsibilities
Prepare construction packages, including drawings, standards, plans, material lists, charge data, clearance details, and other relevant information
Coordinate projects with applicable internal/external stakeholders
Develop annual work plans and schedule projects
Provide technical support for operations
Design and evaluate projects to ensure compliance with industry and company standards
Proficiency or ability to learn relevant software tools; Microsoft Suite, SAP, Cascade, AutoCAD
Strong focus on safety and reliability
Experience (preferred) or interest in substation design
Use of safe work practices in the design and construction of substation facilities
Perform technical training for crew members, contractors, and subcontractors, as applicable
Travel to jobsites, off-site meetings, and trainings (up to 60% travel per year) including overnight stays when necessary
Participate in an On- Call rotation, after-hours duties, periodically, for one week at a time; this includes response to emergency situations and calling personnel out for after-hours activities
Work extended hours as required
Perform individual lifts of supplies and materials weighing up to 35 pounds
Provide backup for Supervisors and Engineers during periods of leave
All NorthWestern Energy employees are required to adhere to company safety standards and the Code of Business Conduct & Ethics
Ensure self and others' actions are consistent with NorthWestern Energy's values, mission, and strategic business objectives
Am I right for this job? Here's the success profile:
Must have a B.S. degree in Engineering
Experienced and upcoming May 2025 graduates encouraged to apply
Ability to obtain a Professional Engineer's License is preferred
Excellent computer skills and proficient with Microsoft Office Suite
Working knowledge of AutoCAD or other structural design software
Demonstrate and maintain a good safety record
Valid driver's license and satisfactory driving record
Substation Engineer I - Starting Range: $73,000 - $97,200
Entry Level position - Bachelor's degree in engineering required for all levels. Produce basic designs utilizing existing procedures and standards; applying modifications as directed. Responsibilities include designing and constructing substations. Produce basic substation layouts and one line/three line development, grading design, concrete foundation design equipment specification and all aspects of construction. Work on multiple projects and meet project deadlines. Perform peer review of colleagues. Develop basic understanding of substation operations and ensure compliance with industry standards. Accurate data keeping.
Substation Engineer II - Starting Range: $74,900 - $111,500
Bachelor's degree in engineering required Intermediate Working knowledge to produce conventional designs and deliverables of limited complexity; independently applying modifications for which precedents are generally established. Effectively manage projects of limited scope; accurately adjusting scope, schedule and budget as variances occur. Independently produce substation analysis and designs of limited complexity; applying modifications for which precedents are generally established. Efficiently supports and works closely with contract and internal crews during the construction commissioning and energization of substations. in independently analyzing/troubleshooting relay malfunctions and supporting commissioning activities. Ability to obtain a PE license is preferred and strongly encouraged in order to progress.
Substation Engineer III - Starting Range: $83,500 - $125,400
Bachelor's degree in engineering required. Additional certifications or advanced degrees may be beneficial. Expertise in utilizing resource planning software. Profound knowledge of construction and compliance requirements. Produce designs and deliverables of varying complexity including conflicting design requirements or special considerations; independently applying modifications as needed. Perform peer review of colleagues' work. Independently and effectively manage projects and programs of moderate to extensive scope; accurately adjusting scope, schedule, and budget as variances occur. Proactively support customers, both internal and external. Lead complex substation engineering projects, from design through construction implementation. Develop and implement new standards/processes. Provide expertise on substation engineering philosophy and substation construction projects. Proactively collaborate with senior management and operations on strategic substation design decisions. Conduct comprehensive research to support strategic decision-making. The ability to obtain a Professional Engineer License is preferred and strongly encouraged in order to progress fully within the profession. .
Substation Engineer IV - Starting Range: $92,100 - $139,300
May include an advanced degree and PE preferred and may be required for certain positions. Technical substation leadership experience with a proven track record of improving and driving substation processes and standards. In-depth expert on operational and compliance requirements and processes. Strong strategic planning skills to align substation design and implementation with organizational objectives/initiatives. Executive communication and presentation abilities to convey complex information to top management effectively. Innovative thinking for substation design and complex problem-solving. Mastery of project management tools. Extensive experience in designing and managing large, complex substation jobs. Exceptional leadership and strategic thinking skills.
Requisition #4686
Posting Dates: March 17, 2025 through March March 31, 2025
Department/Division: Distribution Operations / Substation
Employment Physical: Required
Drug Test: Required
Background Check: Required
Relocation Benefit: Negotiable
Telecommuting: Part-time Negotiable within NorthWestern Energy Service Territory
We are an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, national origin, gender, age, disability, veteran status, genetic information or any other protected class in accordance with applicable federal or state laws and statutes. In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act, should you have a disability that requires assistance and/or reasonable accommodation with the job application process, please contact the Human Resources department at 1-800-245-6977 or at job.inquiries@northwestern.com .