Physical Engineering Associate I
The Physical Engineering Associate I role at Confidential Client is an entry-level position focused on substation physical engineering within the power delivery sector. The role involves learning and applying foundational design concepts, using industry-standard design software, collaborating across disciplines, and progressing towards independent project ownership under senior engineer mentorship. This position is based on-site near Chattanooga or Knoxville, TN, and offers comprehensive benefits and professional development opportunities.
About Careertakes
👉 Important disclosure: Careertakes is a third-party recruiting platform supporting this hiring process. If selected, you will be employed directly by our client, Engineering.
Applicants for this role may also receive access to additional matched opportunities through the Careertakes platform.
Role overview
Confidential Client is hiring an entry-level Physical Engineering Associate I (Substation Physical Engineer) to join a Power Delivery — Substation team in Chickamauga, TN. This role focuses on physical substation design: foundations, grounding, cable routing, equipment layout, and producing detailed plans and Bill of Materials. This is a mentor-driven position ideal for recent engineering graduates or engineers with up to 2 years’ experience who want hands-on experience and career growth in power delivery.
What We're Looking For
- Bachelor’s degree in electrical, mechanical, or civil engineering (ABET-accredited)
- 0–2 years of engineering experience — recent graduates encouraged to apply
- Local candidate within commuting distance of Chickamauga, TN (Chattanooga/Knoxville area preferred)
- FE (Fundamentals of Engineering) passed is a plus
- Fast learner who picks up standards and software quickly
- Self-starter who asks questions and independently researches solutions
- Clear, professional communicator in person, by phone, and by email
What You'll Learn
- Substation physical concepts: foundations, grounding, cable routing, equipment clearances, conductor sizing
- Design software commonly used in the industry: Autodesk AutoCAD, Bentley MicroStation, Bluebeam Revu, Microsoft Excel
- Project lifecycle from concept through design and closeout
- Cross-disciplinary collaboration with protection & controls, civil, studies, designers, and project managers
What You'll Do
- Work on a team of drafters, designers, and engineers under senior mentorship
- Create equipment, structural, foundation, grounding, and cable routing plans and details
- Develop Bill of Materials (BOM) and maintain drawing/documentation standards
- Complete client and internal QA checklists to maintain quality assurance
- Coordinate design aspects with other engineering disciplines
- Perform peer-review of designs and progress toward independent project ownership
Compensation & Benefits
- Estimated salary: $84,580 per year (estimated)
- Paid Time Off
- 10 Paid Holidays annually
- Group medical and dental insurance
- Company-paid life and disability insurance
- 401(k) retirement plan with employer matching
- Section 125/Cafeteria plan; FSA and HSA options
- Long-term care insurance
- Tuition reimbursement and fitness center reimbursement
- Annual performance bonus
- 9/80 work schedule option
Equal Opportunity & Hiring Transparency
Careertakes and our client are Equal Opportunity Employers committed to building a diverse and inclusive workforce. We prohibit discrimination or harassment of any kind. To support a fair and efficient hiring process, AI tools may be used to assist with application review or resume screening. These tools do not replace human decision-making. Final hiring decisions are made by people.
If you have questions about how your data is used, please contact us directly.
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