Associate Power Operation Engineer Journey Level

Sacramento Municipal Utility District; Sacramento (CA); On-site; USD 131,000 - 174,000; Full time

Job summary

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) is seeking an Associate Power Operation Engineer Journey Level in its Real-time Engineering & EIM Operations team in Sacramento. The role focuses on safe, reliable, and compliant operations of the transmission and generation system, supporting NERC/WECC standards and EIM operations.

The journey-level engineer will work with minimal supervision, perform complex analyses, and help ensure reliability for SMUD and the BANC Balancing Authority Area, with

Qualifications

• Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university.
• 3+ years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in power operations engineering or transmission system planning.
• Knowledge of NERC/WECC Reliability Standards and related concepts is desirable.

Responsibilities

• Participates in assigned tasks to meet unit goals and schedules.
• Ensures SMUD's bulk power system reliability and delivers power to load centers.
• Supports development of standard operating procedures for bulk power system operations.
• Contributes to project plans and timelines for department initiatives.
• Performs duties outside normal hours when necessary.

Skills

Power systems operations

Transmission planning

EIM operations

Analytical skills

Education

Bachelor of Science in Electrical Engineering

Job description

Title

Associate Power Operation Engineer Journey Level

Department

Real-time Engineering & EIM Operations

Location

Sacramento, CA, US, 95817-1899

Category

Engineering/Technical

Minimum Pay Rate: $131,248.00

Maximum Pay Rate: $173,888.00

Civil Service Status: Civil Service

Apply by Date: 10/02/2026

SMUD's Power operations engineering (POE) team in Transmission planning and operations (TP&O) division is seeking an operations engineer to ensure the safe, reliable, secure, and compliant operations of the transmission system for SMUD and the BANC Balancing Authority Area in accordance with the FERC approved NERC and WECC Reliability Standards. Power operations engineering team provides real-time engineering and Energy Imbalance Market (EIM) operations support for successful operation of SMUD/BANC. Successful candidate may support tasks in both areas of the team function

Purpose

Performs specialized professional, technical and analytical functions in a variety of operational areas including generation, transmission and contractual resources to ensure the safe, reliable, secure, and compliant operations of the transmission and generation system for SMUD and the BANC Balancing Authority Area in accordance with the FERC approved NERC and WECC Reliability Standards.

Nature and Scope

This is the journey level (J) within the Power Operations Engineer classification series. Positions within this classification will demonstrate an ability to work on one's own with minimal oversight performing difficult and more complex work than the entry level (E). The journey level is distinguished from the senior level in that the latter requires a higher level of complexity, difficulty and level of tasks assigned, broader authority to draw conclusions, and advanced technical knowledge. Advancement to the senior level is done through a formal hiring process.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Participates in assigned tasks of a work unit in order to meet defined unit goals and schedules and comply with SMUD's schedule, quality, quantity, safety and performance standards; supports work activities with work-unit employees to meet established task objectives and deadlines by following established policies and precedents; communicates with and participates as a team member in accomplishing objectives; refers problems to supervision where solutions are not readily achievable.
• Ensures system reliability of SMUD's bulk power system and the BANC Balancing Authority Area, and the delivery of adequate power to meet SMUD's power needs in a cost effective manner; supports maintaining system security and reliability and provides for the reliable delivery of power to the load center by monitoring and assessing the adequacy of the bulk power system and other utilities' transmission systems; assesses line loadings, voltage levels and system stability under various operating conditions, system contingencies and planned clearances; conducts transmission system reliability studies and studies using simulations; assesses the level of planning and operating reserves to assure adequate compliance with NERC and WECC requirements; conducts transmission contingency evaluation and power flow studies; and provides real-time energy imbalance market (EIM) operations support.
• Provides inter-utility and intra-utility support and ensures the implementation of SMUD's strategic business objectives; provides support for transmission and generation issues; prepares and maintains a current Standard Operating Procedure manual for power system operations; supports the development process for standard practices, procedures and guidelines for operating the bulk power system in compliance with interconnection agreements and NERC/WECC Reliability Standards.
• Ensures assigned work activities successfully contribute to the overall completion of department projects; conducts work activities associated with department internal/external projects in accordance with established task objectives and schedules as outlined in the project plan/contract.
• Performs other related duties as needed to include working outside of typical business hours when necessary.

Required Education

• Bachelor of Science degree in Electrical Engineering from an accredited college or university.

Required Experience Qualifications

• At least three (3+) years of progressively responsible relevant work experience in power operations engineering or transmission system planning.

Knowledge Of

Techniques and practices for negotiating; fundamentals and practices of economic analyses of projects and programs; fundamentals and practices of program evaluation; fundamentals and practices of various analytical approaches; techniques and practices for resolving complex technical issues; fundamentals, practices and procedures related to power system operation, power system theory, thermal and hydroelectric generation and load management dispatch; systems and concepts related to economic operation of a power system; planning and design techniques; fundamentals related to short circuit evaluation, generator unit efficiency and capability characteristics; NERC/WECC Reliability criteria; AC/DC transmission systems; safety policies, practices and procedures; methods and techniques for report preparation and writing; standard operating procedures for modern office equipment including a computer and applicable software; English grammar, punctuation and vocabulary standards.

Skills To

Serve as a technical resource on transmission and generation issues; maintain system security and reliability and provide for the reliable and cost-effective delivery of power; participate in the development process for standard practices, procedures and guidelines for operating the bulk power system; apply applicable laws, codes and regulations; utilize a personal computer and/or computer terminal, systems and software relevant to the job; communicate effectively orally and in writing internally/externally; establish and maintain effective working relationships internally/externally.

Desirable Qualifications

• Prior experience/knowledge with operational planning analysis, NERC/WECC reliability standards, California Independent system operator (CAISO), western energy imbalance market (WEIM) and Extended Day ahead market (EDAM)
• Knowledge of CAISO WEIM /EDAM systems and processes

Physical Requirements

Applicants must be able to perform the essential job functions with or without a reasonable accommodation.

Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD) - Who We Are

As the nation's sixth-largest community-owned electric service provider, we're proud of our reputation as one of the best places to work in Sacramento. Our employees tell us in our engagement surveys they're "Happy, satisfied and engaged" which helps create a workplace that best serves our customers. Sacramento was named as the 2nd happiest place to work in America by Forbes Magazine. Lake Tahoe, San Francisco and the world-renowned Napa Valley are within easy driving distance of our locations.

Our Commitment to Diversity & Inclusion

SMUD celebrates diversity, and inspires an inclusive culture based on trust and respect to create belonging and connection among our employees, customers, and communities. By working together, we are powering positive, equitable opportunities for all. We aspire to be a workplace where you can be