Job of the Week: Staff Engineering Technician – AutoCAD Electrical & SDS (Substation Industry)

The substation engineering space is evolving fast, and the demand for specialized technical talent has never been higher. This week, we're featuring a Staff Engineering Technician role that's perfect for experienced professionals who live and breathe AutoCAD Electrical (ACADE) and Substation Design Suite (SDS): or those with deep substation roots who are ready to level up their software game.

This is a contract-to-hire opportunity paying $45.51 per hour, and it's designed for senior-level technicians who thrive on minimal supervision, mentorship opportunities, and the chance to work on complex substation design projects. If you've been working in the substation industry and have the technical chops to back it up, this could be your next big move.

What Makes This Role Different?

Unlike traditional engineering technician positions that cast a wide net, this role has very specific technical and industry requirements: and for good reason. The hiring team is looking for someone who can hit the ground running on substation projects, not someone who needs six months of industry onboarding.

Here's the breakdown:

The Ideal Candidate:

• 3-5 years of hands-on experience with AutoCAD Electrical (ACADE) and Substation Design Suite (SDS)
• Proven track record working in the substation industry
• Ability to independently handle drafting and design tasks with minimal supervision

The Flex Option:

• Strong substation industry experience + AutoCAD Electrical proficiency
• No SDS experience? No problem. The team is willing to teach the SDS skillset to the right candidate: as long as you bring the substation expertise

The Dealbreaker:

• If you have AutoCAD Electrical experience but no substation industry background, this isn't the right fit. The team needs someone who understands the unique challenges, codes, and standards that come with substation work.

This clarity isn't about being exclusive: it's about setting everyone up for success. The team knows what they need, and they're being transparent about it from the start.

What You'll Be Doing

This is a senior-level role where you'll function with minimal supervision, taking ownership of advanced technical deliverables and providing guidance to other team members. Here's what a typical project lifecycle looks like:

Design & Deliverable Creation

You'll be the go-to person for developing and modifying substation design deliverables using ACADE and SDS. This includes creating less complex design concepts, interpreting design inputs, and ensuring everything aligns with engineering standards and document control procedures.

Quality Control & Standards Compliance

You'll review design inputs for consistency, ensuring all deliverables comply with project-specific codes and standards. This role demands a proactive approach to quality: you'll be applying the company's Quality Program standards and supporting continuous improvement initiatives across the board.

Coordination & Collaboration

Substation projects don't happen in a vacuum. You'll coordinate with other groups involved in the same project to minimize interference and errors, ensuring everyone's on the same page. You may also support field activities and help finalize projects by consolidating records for as-built drawings or quantity takeoffs.

Mentorship & Technical Guidance

As a senior-level technician, you'll provide work direction and guidance to other engineering professionals. This isn't just a "do the work and go home" role: it's an opportunity to shape how your team approaches design challenges and help develop the next generation of technicians.

Innovation & Process Improvement

You'll proactively seek out and share knowledge about the latest technologies and processes, continuously evaluating and improving the methods your team uses to accomplish deliverables. This role is perfect for someone who doesn't just execute: they innovate.

The Technical Skill Set We're Looking For

Let's get specific about what "qualified" looks like for this position:

Must-Haves:

• Substation Industry Experience: This is non-negotiable. You need to understand the unique engineering challenges, safety protocols, and regulatory requirements that come with substation work.
• AutoCAD Electrical (ACADE) Proficiency: 3-5 years of hands-on experience creating electrical schematics, panel layouts, and wiring diagrams.
• Substation Design Suite (SDS) Knowledge: Preferred but not required if you have strong ACADE + substation experience.
• Engineering Standards Knowledge: You should be comfortable applying standards, systems, document control, departmental guides, and applicable codes.
• Technical Judgment: Ability to interpret design inputs, make decisions about deliverables, and apply engineering judgment to complex problems.

Nice-to-Haves:

• Experience with material quantity takeoffs and cost estimates
• Background supporting field activities or developing as-built documentation
• Previous mentorship or team leadership experience
• Familiarity with continuous improvement methodologies

Education:

• Diploma or Certificate preferred
• Associate Degree in Drafting or an Engineering Design-related technology preferred

Compensation & Work Details

Pay Rate: $45.51 per hour
Employment Type: Contract to Hire
Work Arrangement: Onsite only (no remote or hybrid options)
Location Requirement: Must be located within 50 miles of a company office
Citizenship Requirement: US Citizenship or Green Card Status Required

This is a full-time, onsite position, which means you'll be embedded with the team day-to-day, collaborating in real time and building strong working relationships with your colleagues. For the right candidate, the contract-to-hire structure provides a great opportunity to prove your value and transition into a permanent role with long-term career growth potential.

Why This Role Matters (And Why It's Hard to Fill)

Here's the reality: substation engineering technicians with advanced ACADE and SDS skills are rare. The intersection of software proficiency and industry-specific knowledge creates a specialized talent pool that most companies struggle to tap into.

That's where AList Professionals comes in. We don't just post jobs and hope for the best: we actively partner with hiring managers to understand the nuances of what they need. In this case, the hiring team was crystal clear: they need someone who speaks the language of substations, not just someone who can navigate AutoCAD.

By being upfront about the requirements (and the flexibility around SDS training), we're saving everyone time. Candidates know exactly what's expected, and the hiring team gets applicants who are genuinely qualified, not just keyword matches on a resume.

How to Apply (And What Happens Next)

If this role sounds like a fit, here's what the process looks like:

1. Submit Your Application: Send your resume and any relevant portfolio work that showcases your ACADE/SDS skills and substation project experience.

2. Initial Screening: Our team at AList Professionals will review your background and conduct an initial conversation to discuss your experience, technical skills, and career goals.

3. Client Interview: Qualified candidates will be introduced to the hiring team for a technical interview. Be prepared to discuss specific projects you've worked on, your approach to quality control, and how you've mentored or guided other technicians.

4. Onboarding: Once selected, you'll complete all pre-employment requirements, including background checks, drug screening, and motor vehicle records search (all conducted in compliance with applicable laws and regulations).

The hiring team is moving quickly on this, so if you're interested, don't wait. Substation roles like this don't stay open long, especially when the compensation and growth potential are this strong.

Final Thoughts

This Staff Engineering Technician role isn't for everyone: and that's by design. It's built for someone with deep substation industry knowledge who's ready to take on senior-level responsibilities, mentor others, and continuously push the envelope on design innovation.

If you've been working in the substation space and are looking for a role that respects your expertise while offering room to grow, this could be the perfect next chapter.

At AList Professionals, we specialize in connecting technical talent with roles that match their skills and ambitions. Whether you're actively looking or just curious about what's out there, we're here to help you navigate your next move.

Ready to apply? Reach out to our team today, and let's talk about how your substation experience and technical skills can translate into your next great opportunity.