Job Description: Structural Design Manager - Transmission, Distribution & Pooling Substations

Job Title: Structural Design Manager - T&D and Pooling Substations

Department: Engineering - Power Transmission & Distribution / Substation Engineering

Role Summary

The Structural Design Manager for Transmission, Distribution, and Pooling Substations is responsible for leading and overseeing the structural engineering and design activities for HV/MV substations, pooling stations for renewables (solar/wind), and associated T&D infrastructure. The role ensures structural integrity, compliance with standards, and coordination across disciplines from conceptual design through detailed engineering and construction support.

Key Responsibilities :

1. Structural Design & Technical Leadership :

- Lead structural design for AIS/GIS substations and renewable energy pooling substations (usually 33/66/132/220 kV).

- Develop and approve design for: Equipment support structures (transformers, reactors, isolators, breakers, CTs/VTs)

- Control & relay building (CRB) structural systems

- Cable trenches, foundations, trenches & cable vaults

- Gantries, lightning masts, OPGW structures

- Perimeter walls, fencing, foundations for firewalls

- Pile foundations (where geotechnical conditions warrant)

- Review and validate

- Structural calculations

- Load combinations (electrical equipment loads, seismic, wind, short-circuit forces)

- Reinforcement detailing

- Layouts, GA drawings, 3D models

- Ensure compliance with IEC, IEEE, ASCE 113, ACI, IS, BS, Eurocode, utility standards.

2. Transmission & Distribution Structural Integration :

- Coordinate with T&D teams for incoming/outgoing transmission line gantries, portal structures, and interfaces.

- Review tower/pole foundations connecting the pooling substation to evacuation lines.

- Align substation structural designs with line routing, clearances, and conductor forces.

3. Project Management & Coordination :

- Develop design schedules, deliverables, and resource planning.

- Coordinate with: Electrical engineering

- Protection & SCADA teams

- Civil, geotech, architectural teams

- Utility/client representatives

- EPC and construction teams

- Support tender engineering, proposal preparation, BOQs, and technical clarifications.

4. Team Leadership & Quality Control :

- Lead and mentor structural engineers, CAD/BIM designers, and design coordinators.

- Implement quality checks, design reviews (30%/60%/90%), and verification protocols.

- Ensure design documentation meets project standards, safety requirements, and regulatory norms.

5. Construction & Site Engineering Support :

- Provide technical support during construction, including: Review of RFIs

- Design deviations or site modifications

- Material submittal approval

- Conduct site visits for foundation inspection, structural adequacy checks, and issue resolution.

- Support commissioning from a structural perspective.

Required Qualifications

Education

- Bachelor's degree in Civil/Structural Engineering (Master's in Structural preferred).

Experience :

- 8- 15 years structural design experience in HV/MV substations (AIS/GIS), T&D projects, or renewable pooling substations.

- Minimum 3- 5 years in a managerial/lead design role.

Software & Technical Skills :

Expertise in: STAAD.Pro, ETABS, SAP2000

AutoCAD, Revit/BIM

Foundation analysis tools

- Knowledge of PLS-CADD/PLS-Tower (for T&D interfaces)

- Strong understanding of: Seismic and wind load analysis

- Equipment dynamic loads

- Steel and RCC design

- Geotechnical interpretation

Key Competencies :

- Leadership and team-building skills

- Strong communication and client-handling ability

- Analytical and problem-solving skills

- Ability to manage multiple projects and deadlines

- Strong understanding of QA/QC, safety, compliance, and industry standards