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Substation Civil Site Engineer

Leidos · Chicago, IL · Remote available · $59,150–$106,925 a year · Full time

Posted Sep 4, 2026 · We last checked this listing on Oct 6, 2026

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Likely interview questions for this role

Written from this job description, not a generic list. Each one notes what the interviewer is really checking.

About your past

Tell me about a permit package you prepared. What feedback did the agency give?

What they are checking: Whether they have taken civil packages through agency review and handled comments.

What would you do

You don't have substation experience yet. How would you get up to speed on what the electrical team needs from the site?

What they are checking: Whether they can learn a new project type quickly, since the posting says experience is preferred, not required.

The geotechnical report shows poor soils where the pad needs to go. What do you do?

What they are checking: Whether they coordinate with geotechnical and structural engineers to adjust the design.

How do you coordinate with surveyors and structural and electrical teams while working remotely?

What they are checking: Whether they can collaborate across disciplines effectively from a remote setup.

About the work

Walk me through how you develop a grading and drainage plan for a new greenfield substation.

What they are checking: Whether they can design a site that drains properly and supports equipment safely.

How do you balance cut and fill in Civil 3D or OpenRoads, and why does it matter?

What they are checking: Whether they understand that earthwork balance drives cost and constructability.

What goes into a stormwater management plan for a substation site?

What they are checking: Whether they know how to meet detention and water quality requirements for added impervious area.

How do you prepare an erosion and sediment control plan that meets state and local requirements?

What they are checking: Whether they know permit-driven erosion controls and how they get inspected.

What would an AutoTURN analysis tell you on a substation project?

What they are checking: Whether they understand access needs for large trucks delivering transformers and maintenance vehicles.

How would a brownfield expansion change your civil design approach?

What they are checking: Whether they can work around existing utilities, drainage and operating equipment.

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The full job description

As published by Leidos.

We are looking for a skilled and experienced Substation Civil Site Engineer to work remotely supporting our Chicago, IL office. In this role, you will work alongside Civil engineers and designers to develop site design drawing packages and supporting documentation for electric utility substation projects. Projects range from greenfield substations to brownfield expansions and require coordination with multiple engineering disciplines. (While substation experience is preferred, it is not required) Responsibilities Include: • Develop new and modify existing substation civil site plan drawings. • Prepare grading, drainage, and stormwater management plans. • Develop erosion and sediment control plans in accordance with local and state requirements. • Prepare roadway, access drive, and site layout plans. • Perform earthwork grading and cut/fill balancing using Civil 3D or OpenRoads/MicroStation workflows. • Perform AutoTURN analyses for construction and maintenance vehicle access. • Prepare utility layouts including storm sewer, sanitary, and water service plans where required. • Develop permit-ready civil drawing packages for utility and agency review. • Assist with preparation of permitting exhibits and support environmental and jurisdictional permitting efforts. • Coordinate with surveyors, geotechnical engineers, structural engineers, and substation electrical teams. • Review civil-related vendor drawings and incorporate comments as required. • Assist with quantity takeoffs and preparation of project deliverables. • Apply applicable client standards, local agency requirements, and industry best practices to all assignments. Substation Civil Site Engineer Qualifications: • Bachelor’s degree in civil engineering technology, Drafting Technology, or related field. • Minimum of 2 years of civil site design experience using MicroStation. • Proficiency with MicroStation required. • Experience developing civil site plans for utility, industrial, commercial, or municipal projects. • Working knowledge of grading design and earthwork calculations. • Experience preparing erosion and sediment control plans. • Familiarity with stormwater management principles and permitting requirements. • Experience performing AutoTURN vehicle turning analyses. • Understanding of site development permitting processes and agency coordination. • Ability to interpret survey and geotechnical information. • Proficiency with Microsoft Word and Excel. • Strong communication and organizational skills. • Ability to work both independently and within multidisciplinary engineering teams. • Strong attention to detail and commitment to producing high-quality deliverables. Substation Civil Site Engineer Preferred Experience/Additional information: • Experience supporting electric utility substation projects. • Familiarity with utility client standards. • Experience with HEC-RAS, Hydraflow, HydroCAD, or similar hydrology software. • Knowledge of SWPPP preparation and stormwater permitting requirements. • Experience coordinating local, county, and state permitting agencies. At Leidos, we pride ourselves on being a trusted and technology-focused solutions provider. Our Power Delivery Services Team is the go-to for utilities and mobile operators who need reliable power and telecommunication expertise. We've worked with over 50 investor-owned utilities, over 160 municipals/cooperatives, and we're continuing to expand our reach. Plus, we've got an amazing group of industry-leading construction partners who help us deliver meaningful Energy Delivery Solutions. Our recognition as an industry leader has been confirmed time and time again. Engineering News-Record (ENR) has ranked Leidos among the Top 10 T&D Firms and Top 10 Power Firms. At Leidos, the opportunities are boundless. We challenge our staff with interesting assignments that provide them with an opportunity to thrive, professionally and personally. For us, helping you grow your career is good business. Your greatest work is ahead! PDSSUBSTATION PowerDelivery If you're looking for comfort, keep scrolling. At Leidos, we outthink, outbuild, and outpace the status quo — because the mission demands it. We're not hiring followers. We're recruiting the ones who disrupt, provoke, and refuse to fail. Step 10 is ancient history. We're already at step 30 — and moving faster than anyone else dares. Original Posting: September 4, 2026 For U.S. Positions: While subject to change based on business needs, Leidos reasonably anticipates that this job requisition will remain open for at least 3 days with an anticipated close date of no earlier than 3 days after the original posting date as listed above. Pay Range: Pay Range $59,150.00 - $106,925.00 The Leidos pay range for this job level is a general guideline only and not a guarantee of compensation or salary. Additional factors considered in extending an offer include (but are not limited to) responsibilities of the job, education, experience, knowledge, skills, and abilities, as well as internal equity, alignment with market data, applicable bargaining agreement (if any), or other law.

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