HVDC/ HVAC Lead

About this role

HVDC/HVAC Lead Who we are Elia Grid International (EGI) is a global power systems consultancy driving innovation and excellence across the global energy sector. Building on the expertise of Elia Group (Belgium) and 50Hertz (Germany), EGI delivers strategic, technical, and regulatory advisory services to tackle complex challenges of the energy transition. With offices in Belgium, Germany, the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Malaysia, Canada, and the USA, EGI partners with clients across the globe to deliver high-impact projects in power system planning, smart grids design digitalization, asset management, HVDC, FACTS, and renewable integration. As we continue to scale up and expand internationally, our ambition is to become a global leader in power systems consultancy, helping build resilient and sustainable energy systems worldwide. Your function EGI is reinforcing its U.S.-based infrastructure team to support major transmission, interconnection and project development opportunities. We are looking for an experienced HVDC/HVAC Lead to guide the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations and related transmission infrastructure. This is both a technical leadership and development-support role. The HVDC/HVAC Lead will help shape technical solutions for U.S. transmission opportunities, support competitive proposals, review and challenge work performed by OEMs and external consultants, and translate technical choices into clear implications for cost, schedule, permitting, interconnection, and commercial positioning. You will work closely with project developers, transmission owners, utilities, ISOs/RTOs, OEMs, engineering contractors and internal EGI teams to ensure that technical solutions are reliable, constructible, compliant and aligned with project objectives. Responsibilities Lead the technical development of AC substations, HVDC converter stations and related transmission infrastructure. Support U.S. transmission development opportunities, including ISO/RTO solicitations, FERC Order 1000 processes, utility RFPs and other project development initiatives. Define and review technical architectures, equipment strategies, design basis documents, specifications, single-line diagrams, protection and control concepts, and interface requirements. Review and challenge technical work performed by OEMs, engineering contractors and external consultants, ensuring that assumptions, deliverables, cost inputs, schedules and risks remain aligned with project strategy. Ensure proper integration between new project facilities and incumbent transmission owner substations, including protection coordination, control and communication interfaces, outage constraints and grid connection requirements. Evaluate alternative technical solutions in terms of reliability, constructability, cost-effectiveness, schedule impact, permitting risk and competitive positioning. Support procurement and tendering activities, including technical scope definition, bid evaluation, clarifications, design reviews and contract negotiations. Translate system studies, interconnection requirements and regulatory constraints into practical engineering requirements. Identify and manage technical risks related to design maturity, equipment strategy, integration, commissioning, operational readiness, schedule, cost and compliance. Contribute to the development of EGI’s HVDC/HVAC expertise, technical partnerships and U.S. market positioning. Required qualifications Bachelor’s degree in Electrical Engineering or a related discipline. Typically 8+ years of experience in HVDC, HVAC substations, transmission engineering, power systems engineering or related infrastructure projects. Strong knowledge of HVDC converter stations, HVAC substations, transmission facilities and grid interconnection infrastructure. Demonstrated experience with HVDC VSC technology; LCC experience is considered an advantage. Experience with the design, specification, procurement, design review, constru