This role is STARs-friendly: Skilled Through Alternative Routes.
71% STARs in role.
Job Title: Expert Substation Drafter
Job Description
The Expert Substation Drafter supports a growing power delivery team by developing and revising substation physical design drawings, creating CAD templates and file structures, and standardizing drafting processes so the engineering team can deliver projects more efficiently. This role focuses on utility, interconnection, transmission, and data center-related power infrastructure, contributing to modern grid, transmission, substation, and distribution programs within a broader energy portfolio.
Responsibilities
- Develop and revise detailed substation physical design drawings for utility, interconnection, transmission, and data center-related power infrastructure projects.
- Create and maintain substation physical layouts, ensuring accuracy, constructability, and alignment with engineering requirements.
- Operate independently in AutoCAD and related CAD platforms to produce high-quality drawings and design documentation.
- Build CAD standards, template libraries, and file structures from the ground up to support consistent and efficient drafting practices.
- Establish and refine CAD setup standards so the team avoids recreating drafting elements on a job-by-job basis.
- Interpret and apply utility-specific drafting and file standards to ensure compliance with client and regulatory requirements.
- Support Lead engineers with drawing production, and general layout development to help the team move faster.
- Develop reusable design frameworks and support 3D substation design efforts to improve design efficiency and quality.
- Contribute to SDS (Substation Design Suite) and Automated Utility Design workflows where applicable to streamline design processes.
- Collaborate closely with engineering and project teams in a fast-paced environment to meet project schedules and quality standards.
- Review and verify drafting work for accuracy, completeness, and adherence to established standards before release.
- Participate in continuous improvement of drafting processes, tools, and standards to enhance overall team productivity.
Essential Skills
- Strong experience as a substation drafter with a clear focus on substation projects rather than distribution-only work.
- Proven physical design drafting experience specifically for substations, including layouts and related design documentation.
- Strong proficiency in AutoCAD and other CAD tools, with the ability to operate independently in a production environment.
- Demonstrated experience building CAD standards, templates, and file structures from scratch for engineering or utility projects.
- Ability to interpret and work within utility-specific drawing and file standards, ensuring compliance and consistency.
- Strong attention to detail with the ability to produce accurate, high-quality drawings and documentation.
- Ability to support engineering teams in a fast-paced environment while managing multiple tasks and priorities.
- Experience in substation design, including substation layouts and related physical design elements.
Additional Skills & Qualifications
- Experience with 3D substation design tools and workflows.
- Familiarity with SDS (Substation Design Suite) or similar substation design platforms.
- Experience with Automated Utility Design or comparable automated design tools.
- Exposure to utility, interconnection, transmission, and data center power infrastructure projects.
- Interest in contributing to standardized processes, reusable design frameworks, and continuous improvement initiatives.
- Motivation to grow within a power delivery and modern grid infrastructure-focused organization.
- Appreciation for an employee-owned culture that emphasizes shared success, mentoring, and professional development.
- Interest in long-term career development supported by benefits such as ESOP participation, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer opportunities, and flexible work-from-home options.
Work Environment
The role operates within a collaborative, distributed team environment that is largely remote, with openness to remote support as long as the drafter consistently delivers high-quality templates, CAD work, and final drawing output. Team members work closely with engineers and project staff across energy, utilities, infrastructure, and engineering programs, contributing to meaningful and growing infrastructure initiatives. The work relies heavily on AutoCAD and related CAD tools, along with substation design technologies such as 3D substation design platforms, SDS, and Automated Utility Design where applicable. The environment supports professional growth, mentoring, internal development, and shared success, reinforced by an employee-owned culture and a comprehensive benefits package that includes ESOP participation, 401(k) match, tuition reimbursement, paid volunteer opportunities, and flexible work-from-home options.
Job Type & LocationThis is a Contract to Hire position based out of Sparks Glencoe, MD.
Pay and BenefitsThe pay range for this position is $43.27 - $48.08/hr.
Eligibility requirements apply to some benefits and may depend on your job
classification and length of employment. Benefits are subject to change and may be
subject to specific elections, plan, or program terms. If eligible, the benefits
available for this temporary role may include the following:
• Medical, dental & vision
• Critical Illness, Accident, and Hospital
• 401(k) Retirement Plan – Pre-tax and Roth post-tax contributions available
• Life Insurance (Voluntary Life & AD&D for the employee and dependents)
• Short and long-term disability
• Health Spending Account (HSA)
• Transportation benefits
• Employee Assistance Program
• Time Off/Leave (PTO, Vacation or Sick Leave)
This is a fully remote position.
Application DeadlineThis position is anticipated to close on Jul 6, 2026.
About Actalent
Actalent is a global leader in engineering and sciences services and talent solutions. We help visionary companies advance their engineering and science initiatives through access to specialized experts who drive scale, innovation and speed to market. With a network of almost 20,000 consultants and 5,000 clients across the U.S., Canada, Asia and Europe, Actalent serves many of the Fortune 500. We are proud to be an Engineering News-Record (ENR) Top 500 Design Firm for our engineering design services and a ClearlyRated Best of Staffing® winner for both client and talent service.
The company is an equal opportunity employer and will consider all applications without regard to race, sex, age, color, religion, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, gender identity, genetic information or any characteristic protected by law.
If you would like to request a reasonable accommodation, such as the modification or adjustment of the job application process or interviewing process due to a disability, please email actalentaccommodation@actalentservices.com for other accommodation options.
San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance: Pursuant to the San Francisco Fair Chance Ordinance, for all positions located in the city and county of San Francisco, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records.
Massachusetts Lie Detector: It is unlawful in Massachusetts to require or administer a lie detector test as a condition of employment or continued employment. An employer who violates this law shall be subject to criminal penalties and civil liability.
Use of Artificial Intelligence (AI): We may use Artificial Intelligence (AI) to support parts of our hiring process, including sourcing, screening, and evaluating candidates. AI helps assess applications and qualifications, but final decisions are made by our hiring team. By applying, you acknowledge and agree that your application may be reviewed using AI tools.
Posting ID: JP-006110926
