Substation Superintendent

Overview of the Role

We are looking for a senior-level Substation Superintendent to oversee field execution across a broad and growing portfolio of substation projects. This position plays a critical role in leading crews across transmission, distribution, and collector substations, including both switchyards and substations. Projects span AIS-heavy scopes with select GIS work, and include both greenfield and brownfield environments.

This individual will provide hands-on leadership across multiple active sites and multiple states, taking full ownership of construction execution through installation, testing, and commissioning. Success in this role requires a strong balance of technical substation knowledge, field leadership, and coordination with project teams to deliver work safely, efficiently, and on schedule.

Key Responsibilities

* Lead day-to-day substation construction activities across civil, structural, electrical, grounding, protection & control, and commissioning support scopes
* Direct and manage General Foremen, Foremen, and journey-level craft personnel across multiple concurrent projects
* Drive workforce planning by supporting craft recruitment and staffing needs aligned with project schedules
* Develop field leadership by mentoring foremen and supporting succession planning for future superintendents
* Plan, assign, and supervise self-perform crews and subcontractors across varying substation construction scopes
* Review construction drawings, specifications, and work plans with field teams to ensure clear execution
* Monitor in-progress work to ensure compliance with safety policies, quality requirements, and schedule milestones
* Coordinate closely with Project Managers and General Foremen to align manpower, sequencing, and priorities
* Oversee site logistics including materials, equipment utilization, and delivery coordination
* Support estimating and planning discussions related to manpower, durations, and construction approaches
* Ensure crews have the tools, equipment, and materials required to complete assigned work
* Communicate updates related to policies, procedures, and field standards
* Represent the organization professionally with owners, inspectors, utilities, and other stakeholders on site

Leadership & Execution Expectations

* Lead with a strong safety-first mindset, enforcing OSHA requirements and company safety standards
* Conduct and lead daily tailgate meetings and promote a proactive safety culture
* Track schedule performance and proactively identify risks, delays, or resource gaps
* Coordinate with engineering, safety, quality, procurement, and project teams to resolve field challenges
* Ensure work is executed in accordance with drawings, specifications, utility standards, NEC, and NESC
* Review Bills of Material and support planning for equipment, materials, and manpower
* Ensure accurate field documentation including daily reports, manpower tracking, safety records, and quality documentation
* Participate in inspections, testing, commissioning activities, punch list resolution, and closeout efforts

Background & Experience

* Extensive knowledge of substation construction means, methods, materials, and sequencing
* Strong familiarity with tools, equipment, and techniques used in substation construction environments
* Proven experience planning and scheduling complex substation scopes
* Experience executing substation work to major utility standards (including ComEd and AEP) strongly preferred
* 10+ years of construction experience, with at least 5 years in a Superintendent or senior leadership role on substation projects
* Prior experience as a Substation Foreman or Lead Superintendent highly preferred

Location & Travel

* This role will be based out of Lake Forest or Des Plaines, Illinois, with regular time spent supporting work out of Columbus, Ohio
* Current projects are located in Illinois, Ohio, and Missouri

Oscar Associates Limited (US) is acting as an Employment Agency in relation to this vacancy.